emergency action; on behalf of MoveOn.org (...)

I cannot emphasize how important this is!

Here is my copy/paste job; if you frequent here you will have already read this story...

"A major human tragedy is unfolding in Sudan, one that has reportedly claimed at least 30,000 lives, and could claim hundreds of thousands more unless the world community works together, starting immediately, to end it.

"Although Secretary of State Colin Powell is in Sudan now, he has yet to declare that the atrocities there constitute genocide. Such recognition would make a huge difference, catalyzing the world community to help stop the bloodshed. Powell should also publicly condemn the genocide -- so far, he has stopped short of that.

"Please call Powell today at:

Secretary of State Colin Powell
202-647-4000 or 202-647-6575

Urge him to:
- Immediately declare the atrocities in Sudan to be "Genocide"; and
- Publicly condemn them.

"Please also call your Senators and Representative! Urge them to demand that the United States recognize the genocide and condemn it.

"Sudan's government is orchestrating a genocide [1] against people
living in the country's Darfur region, who have challenged the
government's authoritarian rule. In addition to tens of thousands of
killings, there is widespread rape, and poisoning of water systems.
Up to one million people have reportedly been displaced from their
homes.

"More than 130 countries are obligated by the 1948 Genocide Convention
to prevent and punish such crimes against humanity. So even if the
United States sends no troops to Sudan, formally recognizing the
genocide would enable the U.N. security council to authorize other
countries, like Germany, France, and Spain, which don't have troops
to Iraq, to help stop the killing in Sudan.

"We could also take another simple step, and publicly condemn the
genocide. This would send a powerful signal that the world is
watching, not looking the other way. "Genocide is still calibrated to
the international reaction," writes Nicholas Kristof in the New York
Times.

"Whenever genocide has occurred before, the world community has vowed,
"never again." Yet today, it is happening again.

"The Bush administration has failed so show leadership on Sudan. For
example, President Bush passed up a prime opportunity to highlight the
issue at a recent G-8 summit, although it was reportedly discussed
in private there.

"Is President Bush now so preoccupied with Iraq that he is incapable of action on emergent issues of the day? Sadly, the answer appears
so far to be yes.

"Please help stop this genocide, by making your calls today.

"Sincerely,

- Carrie, Joan, Lee, Noah, Peter, and Wes
The MoveOn.org team
Wednesday, June 30th, 2004"

This has been a public service announcement; now I urge you, Wake Up.