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!
Cameron Bond
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.
May 24, 2010 @ 2:48 pm
Canadian
Truly incredible!! WE DID IT! Praise God for the success of this new law. We’re one step closer to the end!
May 24, 2010 @ 2:49 pm
Daniel
UNREAL! It’s law, now let’s make sure it’s enforced.
May 24, 2010 @ 2:50 pm
Mallory
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS i cannot believe it.
May 24, 2010 @ 2:52 pm
anna
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!!!
May 24, 2010 @ 2:57 pm
Rob
WE DID IT! I remember writing a letter to my congressmen back in like September!
May 24, 2010 @ 2:58 pm
kate
I remember the beginning… and here is another beginning. Kudos to all!
May 24, 2010 @ 3:07 pm
Miller
i have tears of joy! faith. can. move. mountains.
May 24, 2010 @ 3:08 pm
Soukprida
I’m so elated :)
May 24, 2010 @ 3:12 pm
Sharon
So exciting! Thanks to everyone who had a part in making this happen!
May 24, 2010 @ 3:12 pm
Bryn
Overwhelmed. YES.
May 24, 2010 @ 3:13 pm
Iman
faith without deeds is dead. Praise God! WOOHOO everyone!
May 24, 2010 @ 3:19 pm
Ben Zurawski
WAY TO GO YALL!!!!
May 24, 2010 @ 3:23 pm
Erin
I am crying right now I’m so happy. This is absolutely amazing!!!! GOD IS GOOD.
May 24, 2010 @ 3:24 pm
Ben Zurawski
WAY TO GO YALL!!!
May 24, 2010 @ 3:24 pm
Hayly Charest
This is officially history!
May 24, 2010 @ 3:26 pm
Talia Sainclair
So proud of Invisible Children and all of its supporters.
May 24, 2010 @ 3:27 pm
Kathy Vyvijal
God bless the children and those who protect them..
May 24, 2010 @ 3:32 pm
Megan
I think it’s time to break out the Bill Just Passed mix and DANCE!
May 24, 2010 @ 3:33 pm
Elizabeth
AMAZING.. simply amazing.. Seems like yesterday that I did the Global Night commute and now we’ve gotten a bill passed..
May 24, 2010 @ 3:34 pm
Becky
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!
May 24, 2010 @ 3:40 pm
Adam
Truly amazing! Well done everyone!
May 24, 2010 @ 3:44 pm
Sam
Totally AWESOME!
May 24, 2010 @ 3:53 pm
Karen Warne
GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU ALLS EFFORTS!!!! THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE ENDING!!!!!!
May 24, 2010 @ 3:54 pm
Ashley
Absoulutely amazing! Congratulations to all involved!
May 24, 2010 @ 4:01 pm
Nicki Brooks
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.
May 24, 2010 @ 4:25 pm
Marian Padilla
YESSSSS!!!!! I cannot believe this. OMG!
May 24, 2010 @ 4:36 pm
Rachel
Absolutely Phenomenal!!! Without Invisible Children, Resolve Uganda, and the Enough Project this would’ve never been possible.
May 24, 2010 @ 4:45 pm
Brian
Praise the Lord!
May 24, 2010 @ 7:17 pm
rachel
WE ARE NO LONGER INVISIBLE
May 24, 2010 @ 7:35 pm
Jules
So happy right now. Well done to everybody!
May 24, 2010 @ 10:40 pm
Bailey
I can’t breathe.
May 24, 2010 @ 11:09 pm
Benson
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
May 25, 2010 @ 6:11 am
Sophie
This is incredible!! Thank you President Obama!! One huge step closer…
May 25, 2010 @ 8:40 am
diana
All praise and honour to God
May 25, 2010 @ 9:07 am
Rachel
Amazing! So floored!
May 25, 2010 @ 9:57 am
Krista Photography
That is SO awesome!
May 25, 2010 @ 11:31 am
Robert
This is truly a first. Congratulations, Invisible Children.
May 26, 2010 @ 4:12 pm
Robert Bromley
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.
May 26, 2010 @ 6:19 pm
Brent Pearson
I was about to meet with a rep. and then it gets signed. AMAZING!
May 26, 2010 @ 9:34 pm
Julia
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!!!
May 27, 2010 @ 7:37 am
MacKenzie
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.
May 27, 2010 @ 9:50 am
Jamie Roach
what is a campaign mantra realized? what is hope actualized?
May 27, 2010 @ 11:40 am
kasey
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?
May 28, 2010 @ 9:33 am
rebecca
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.
May 28, 2010 @ 8:30 pm
Justin Hagerty
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!
May 29, 2010 @ 4:20 am
Angucia
Big ups Invisible Children for this very g8t achievement!!!
May 30, 2010 @ 10:54 am
jason
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!!!!!!!!
Jun 05, 2010 @ 1:37 pm