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We believe IC is not just a charity, but a group of people choosing to live differently. This blog highlights what we're up to as an organization, what inspires us, challenges us, and makes us laugh. It's our collective mind written down. We invite you to read, think critically, and speak openly.

INVISIBLE CHILDREN INC.

Invisible Children uses film, creativity and social action to end the use of child soldiers in Joseph Kony's rebel war and restore LRA-affected communities in central Africa to peace and prosperity.

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May 24, 2010

Obama said yes! We got a signing ceremony in the Oval Office!

After a five year quest to get the attention of the United States government, we have done it.

President Obama agreed to a signing ceremony in the Oval Office for the signing of the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act! After the unbelievable rallying we all did to see this bill pass unanimously through Congress, and the props they gave us on the House floor (I’ll never forget that for the rest of my life), we have seen impossible dreams come true.

After the bill’s unanimous passage, we asked the White House for a signing ceremony with the President so that we could hold him accountable to this mandate and see Joseph Kony arrested.

On Saturday, President Obama accepted our request and invited us to the Oval Office on Monday.

Today, Monday, May 24th at 5pm est, Senator Inhofe, Congressmen McGovern and Royce, Jason, Laren, Ben Keesey, Resolve Uganda’s Michael Poffenberger and Lisa Dougan, and the Enough Project’s John Prendergast stood in the Oval Office, circled around President Barack Obama as he signed into law the bill we have carried so far.

Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) commented on the signing of the bill, saying, “This bill’s success is due to the grassroots effort of young people across the U.S. committed to ending the atrocities of Joseph Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army.” It has been your rallying, your phone calls, letters, emails, activism, and voices that have won this victory. The war is not over, but the stage has been set for justice.

“Our mission now is to make sure that the President uses the mandate it provides from Congress and the American people to do everything he can to see LRA violence ended once and for all.”  - Lisa Dougan, Resolve.

Be proud.  We’ll post pictures and details as soon as we have them!

Post a comment

48 Comments »

  1. Comment by Cameron Bond - May 24, 2010 @ 2:48 pm

    this is so amazing! i have been a large supporter for over 3 years now, its incredible to finnaly see that our government is going to step up, to help end this war! invisible children, you have done an amazing job.

  2. Comment by Canadian - May 24, 2010 @ 2:49 pm

    Truly incredible!! WE DID IT! Praise God for the success of this new law. We’re one step closer to the end!

  3. Comment by Daniel - May 24, 2010 @ 2:50 pm

    UNREAL! It’s law, now let’s make sure it’s enforced.

  4. Comment by Mallory - May 24, 2010 @ 2:52 pm

    YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS i cannot believe it.

  5. Comment by anna - May 24, 2010 @ 2:57 pm

    Icant belive this I have been waiting for this to happen for the longest time!!! Give ALL the gorly to God for he can do ALL things!!!

  6. Comment by Rob - May 24, 2010 @ 2:58 pm

    WE DID IT! I remember writing a letter to my congressmen back in like September!

  7. Comment by kate - May 24, 2010 @ 3:07 pm

    I remember the beginning… and here is another beginning. Kudos to all!

  8. Comment by Miller - May 24, 2010 @ 3:08 pm

    i have tears of joy! faith. can. move. mountains.

  9. Comment by Soukprida - May 24, 2010 @ 3:12 pm

    I’m so elated :)

  10. Comment by Sharon - May 24, 2010 @ 3:12 pm

    So exciting! Thanks to everyone who had a part in making this happen!

  11. Comment by Bryn - May 24, 2010 @ 3:13 pm

    Overwhelmed. YES.

  12. Comment by Iman - May 24, 2010 @ 3:19 pm

    faith without deeds is dead. Praise God! WOOHOO everyone!

  13. Comment by Ben Zurawski - May 24, 2010 @ 3:23 pm

    WAY TO GO YALL!!!!

  14. Comment by Erin - May 24, 2010 @ 3:24 pm

    I am crying right now I’m so happy. This is absolutely amazing!!!! GOD IS GOOD.

  15. Comment by Ben Zurawski - May 24, 2010 @ 3:24 pm

    WAY TO GO YALL!!!

  16. Comment by Hayly Charest - May 24, 2010 @ 3:26 pm

    This is officially history!

  17. Comment by Talia Sainclair - May 24, 2010 @ 3:27 pm

    So proud of Invisible Children and all of its supporters.

  18. Comment by Kathy Vyvijal - May 24, 2010 @ 3:32 pm

    God bless the children and those who protect them..

  19. Comment by Megan - May 24, 2010 @ 3:33 pm

    I think it’s time to break out the Bill Just Passed mix and DANCE!

  20. Comment by Elizabeth - May 24, 2010 @ 3:34 pm

    AMAZING.. simply amazing.. Seems like yesterday that I did the Global Night commute and now we’ve gotten a bill passed..

  21. Comment by Becky - May 24, 2010 @ 3:40 pm

    Woooooow! THIS IS SO AMAZING! Praise God for bringing this to pass, Who is able to do mightier things than we could ever possibly imagine! And well done to all you folks at “Invisible Children” and the supporters who have worked SO HARD for this! This is a massive victory, you guys, I’m so happy for you! And for these kids to have a second chance at life! JUSTICE!

  22. Comment by Adam - May 24, 2010 @ 3:44 pm

    Truly amazing! Well done everyone!

  23. Comment by Sam - May 24, 2010 @ 3:53 pm

    Totally AWESOME!

  24. Comment by Karen Warne - May 24, 2010 @ 3:54 pm

    GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU ALLS EFFORTS!!!! THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE ENDING!!!!!!

  25. Comment by Ashley - May 24, 2010 @ 4:01 pm

    Absoulutely amazing! Congratulations to all involved!

  26. Comment by Nicki Brooks - May 24, 2010 @ 4:25 pm

    Yes! A victory for the advocates of the campaign against the LRA! I am so proud of every individual involved in this process. Especially those who stuck it out during The Rescue, when we had absolutely no idea if such an event would actually yield a result… today shows it bloody well did.

  27. Comment by Marian Padilla - May 24, 2010 @ 4:36 pm

    YESSSSS!!!!! I cannot believe this. OMG!

  28. Comment by Rachel - May 24, 2010 @ 4:45 pm

    Absolutely Phenomenal!!! Without Invisible Children, Resolve Uganda, and the Enough Project this would’ve never been possible.

  29. Comment by Brian - May 24, 2010 @ 7:17 pm

    Praise the Lord!

  30. Comment by rachel - May 24, 2010 @ 7:35 pm

    WE ARE NO LONGER INVISIBLE

  31. Comment by Jules - May 24, 2010 @ 10:40 pm

    So happy right now. Well done to everybody!

  32. Comment by Bailey - May 24, 2010 @ 11:09 pm

    I can’t breathe.

  33. Comment by Benson - May 25, 2010 @ 6:11 am

    Hi, this is the greatest event of my life having been born, lived and grew up among and suffered from the long insurgency by LRA. Fellow Ugandans ,we have a reason to celebrate

  34. Comment by Sophie - May 25, 2010 @ 8:40 am

    This is incredible!! Thank you President Obama!! One huge step closer…

  35. Comment by diana - May 25, 2010 @ 9:07 am

    All praise and honour to God

  36. Comment by Rachel - May 25, 2010 @ 9:57 am

    Amazing! So floored!

  37. Comment by Krista Photography - May 25, 2010 @ 11:31 am

    That is SO awesome!

  38. Comment by Robert - May 26, 2010 @ 4:12 pm

    This is truly a first. Congratulations, Invisible Children.

  39. Comment by Robert Bromley - May 26, 2010 @ 6:19 pm

    As I read this legislation I see no specific actions that are required with the exception of a requirement to develop a strategy no later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the Act. The bill provides no specific actions and I fear nothing will be done. I hope I am wrong.

  40. Comment by Brent Pearson - May 26, 2010 @ 9:34 pm

    I was about to meet with a rep. and then it gets signed. AMAZING!

  41. Comment by Julia - May 27, 2010 @ 7:37 am

    Ps. 140:12. I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the poor.

    Is. 25:4. For You(God) have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress.

    Ps. 10:14. The unfortunate commits himself to You; You have been the helper of the orphan… O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear to vindicate the orphan and the oppressed.

    Is 41:17. The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them Myself, as the God of Israel I will not forsake them.

    Praise God! That He used you guys to execute His justice and love to these children!!!

  42. Comment by MacKenzie - May 27, 2010 @ 9:50 am

    Simply amazing!

    I saw the email caught in my spam filter, and goosebumps rippled over my skin, I was so in awe.

    This has just made my year.

  43. Comment by Jamie Roach - May 27, 2010 @ 11:40 am

    what is a campaign mantra realized? what is hope actualized?

  44. Comment by kasey - May 28, 2010 @ 9:33 am

    I am so happy this got passed. to all benifits, and supporting bands that supported invisiable children.

    I wonder now its passed how were going to take action?

  45. Comment by rebecca - May 28, 2010 @ 8:30 pm

    Congratulations IC! It’s not over yet, but what an accomplishment. You have been such an inspiration to me, but more importantly you inspire the children, mothers and all the other victims of the LRA. Well done.

  46. Comment by Justin Hagerty - May 29, 2010 @ 4:20 am

    I pray you are wrong, as well, Robert Bromley. Although a battle’s victory and a step forward, this event has yet to mark the end to the atrocities at hand. I commend those who have stuck with this cause and kept the ball rolling. Those children will have resolution!

  47. Comment by Angucia - May 30, 2010 @ 10:54 am

    Big ups Invisible Children for this very g8t achievement!!!

  48. Comment by jason - June 5, 2010 @ 1:37 pm

    praise god!!!!!!!!!! i have been a supporter 4 like 6 months i just recently gave up my allowence to be a part of the peace group whooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thank god!!!!!!!!

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