Union of Jewish Students

JEWISH STUDENTS COME OUT IN FORCE (AND THE RAIN!) TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE PEOPLE OF DARFUR

On Sunday, 13th April UJS once again emerged as a critical component of the UK campaign that seeks to end the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan as Jewish students arrived with youth movements from around the UK to protest outside the Sudanese Embassy in London.

Several hundred Jewish students and youth movement participants were present at the protest, wearing T-Shirts that said, "Never Again? It's Happening Right Now" and, "Stop the Genocide in Darfur", accompanied by the logos of UJS and the involved youth movements. Speakers who addressed the rally, including Henry Grunwald QC, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, paid tribute to these activists and the work of the Jewish community in campaigning for the people of Darfur.

The Union of Jewish Students has been coordinating a Darfur campaign for the last four years. This year, UJS working together with Aegis Students achieved success at the national student level by securing policy marking Darfur as the priority international campaign for the National Union of Students. Jewish student activism has also dominated at local levels with regards to Darfur as this year more Jewish societies than ever have hosted educational, fundraising events and campaigns aimed at bringing awareness to the conflict.

Jessica Truman, UJS Chair said:
"I am incredibly proud of the large number of Jewish students who showed up in the rain and on London Marathon Day to show support for the people of Darfur. UJS has spearheaded the efforts of the Jewish community in the campaign and we are pleased that so many of the young members of our community are part of it."

Jenni Woolf, Campaigns Fieldworker who coordinates the Darfur Campaign for UJS said:
"We as a Jewish community know the consequences of the world turning a blind eye and the effects of procrastination and inaction by the international community. There is a genocide happening right now; I am proud that Jewish students came out in support of the people of Darfur yesterday. UJS will continue to support the international Darfur campaign, will continue to encourage the Jewish community to write their MPs to urge action and will continue to run its campaign until the international community lives up to its promises and ends the genocide in Darfur."

The 2000-strong protest in London was part of the Global Day for Darfur, which marked five years since the escalation of the conflict in Sudan. It highlighted particularly how over one million Sudanese children have been caught up in the bloodshed, displacement and killing in the region.The conflict has seen the displacement of approximately 2.5 million civilians and the genocide of nearly 500 000 by the government of Sudan and the government-backed militia of the Janjaweed.