Video of the LRA Disarmament bill passing Congress
Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act, by voice vote without a single objection.
Over the course of 30 minutes, seven Congress members spoke on behalf of the bill, calling on President Obama, in response to the atrocities being committed in central east Africa, to form a plan to remove Joseph Kony from the battlefield. Eight additional Members of Congress submitted written statements expressing their support for the bill.
Can you believe it? The leaders of our nation, for 30 MINUTES, stated and restated the atrocities committed by Joseph Kony and the urgent need for a strong response from the United States.
As if that weren’t enough, America’s young activists got their recognition too.
This 2-minute highlight reel cuts together some of the most spine-tingling portions of the speeches. Be proud. They are talking about you.
We can still only marvel that the youth of America made so much noise that their Congressmen and women felt compelled to mention their efforts on the floor of the House of Representatives.
We celebrate this victory with our partners Resolve: Uganda and Enough Project. You can be sure that at 3:30 PDT yesterday, the entire Invisible Children office was gathered in the conference room, breathlessly watching history be made. (The picture below was taken right after Invisible Children was mentioned by name, hence Jason’s ninja kick)
We celebrate this victory wholeheartedly, but we know that our work is not yet finished. Now we must pressure the Obama Administration to follow through on this important mandate, to set a precedent for justice, and to protect these children who have too long been trapped in a war against their will. We will see them come home.
This victory is yours, and we want you to know everything that there is to know.
This Q&A was put together by Resolve Uganda will answer every question you have about the significance of the bill and what will happen next.
You can watch all of yesterday’s speeches about the LRA/Uganda bill here (28 minutes).
This video express our thanks to you, our supporters, and illustrates just how much has been accomplished since The Rescue.
This is such a wonderful act! In this moment I am more proud of my generation and country than ever before. Washington has finally felt our compassion for these children! I cannot believe that this day has come! Great work!
Okay… now I’m crying. Made it through yesterday just celebrating… but to actually see it happen, to hear the words of the Congressmen and women, to once again feel such gratitude for Invisible Children and your determination to stick with this movement… WOW!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I can’t believe this is finally happening! I am so proud of my generation. we made it happen guys! we DO have a voice, and this is proof of that :) I am unbelievably happy right now.
So awesome! Our voices will be heard! Invisible Children, you’re awesome! Press on!
I cannot stop myself from crying! I cannot believe this is really happening!! I never thought that the efforts of my friends and I, who are not yet eligible to vote, could make a difference like this. I mean, this is a MAJOR step towards justice in the world! I am ecstatic about this monumental progress we have achieved. Congratulations to all! Let us keep up the good work and PRESS ON!
What a great achievement! They have heard the word of the people, this is a fantastic step forward. Well done to everyone at Invisible Children and everyone who has supported the children of Uganda!
I can’t believe it! It finally happened! I remember, just over a year ago, sleeping in front of a library fro this cause! These children are no longer be INVISIBLE!!
Speechless, Just speechless… Is this for real somebody pinch me!!!!
Tears Out Loud! Thank you to all who partnered and worked tirelessly to see this thing pass. Working in the mission field, we see the devastation dealt by jk’s evil hand. The people of Uganda will thank you by rising to the occation. God Bless You!
One Big Amen!!!
I’m so happy! I watched this all at school and I screamed when I heard they passed! My teacher kind of freaked but it was worth it to see you guys get this far. :)
Happy Days,
Carly
bringing tears to me eyes
Honestly, “I am floating in the air”. Injustice where are your guards, the voice of people is against you.
Kudo’s to all the young people that worked so hard to get this passed. I am especially proud of my grandaughter, Meghan Smith. You go girl….I love you all.
This is so exciting!
I can’t tell you how happy I was when I heard this! congradualtions to everyone at IC and everyone else who helped make this happen!
In the words of Neil Pasricha, this is just
AWESOME!
Our generation is the movement, and i love how we have made such an incredible impact. One act at a time, we will save this world.
Good job everyone who took part in this, i’ve never felt so proud!
My family and I have attended multiple Invisible Children events, all of which were informative and inspiring. Still, I didn’t know if anyone in power would actually pay attention… I’m so proud of this! I can’t wait to call my mom and brother. Thanks to the filmmakers who made us ALL see!
I have never been able to physically be at any IC events, but I’ve supported IC for over almost 2 years now, and i’ve spread the word and done everything I could.
I am so proud of everyone who participated and was involved with IC in anyway. This is such an amazing event. I’m really kinda speechless. I nearly cried of joy when i found out the bill passed congress
One of the best things I’ve ever heard. We did it!
i’m crying tears of joy this is absolutely incredible :)
This is such a wonderful victory to not only the people involved here in the United States, but most of all to the children in Uganda. We have gotten this far, but we still have a ways to go. This is a huge step in the right direction and I am more than excited to see the rest of the work we can do!
I can only imagine the pride and justice you must feel having accomplished such an achievement in human rights. While I am a new found supporter having just learned of IC this year, I feel honored to know you and can’t wait to help you raise money to keep this movement on the forefront. So stoked for you and all of your supporters who have been there from day one…well done.
Amen and amen. I pray that all of this will come to bring real and lasting results SOON for the children of Africa. God bless all your efforts.
I was so excited when I heard the news that I was literally jumping up and down. It’s time for a change, no longer will these children have to suffer at the hands of a mad man!
THANK YOU,THANK YOU,THANK YOU! Our God is an awesome God for hearing so many prayers and giving you strength to keep up the fight. I have witnessed just a part of your struggle as your members would join Gulu Walks in DC, try to get the children’s story of suffering out there through the DVDs, etc. May the Almighty continue to bless you all for as you have done it to the least of these (our Invisible Children who were always visible to their Creator) you have done it unto Him!
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just want to start off by saying that i am so happy to know that every single person who has put forth effort into this program has finally gotten the satisfaction of knowing that our nation is FINALLY doing something towards this problem. I have done everything to help towards this program since 2007, when i heard about grace’s story at a youth group. Since then i have bought every braclet and and two documetaries, along with three shirts. I have done everything in my power to spread the news about these children, i have told teachers, friends, and anyone interested in their stories, and i will continue doing so.You guys have inspired me so much, you guys are truley my hero’s!
PRAIS GOD!!! Many of those children dont even know that this has happend or that there are SO MANY people woking to save them. but when they do….wow
its all worth it. thank you thank you thank you.
Wow. I’m speechless. It is so amazing, that so many people supported this and made this problem visible. I hope this will bring positive changes that last.
THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU JESUS AND INVISIBLE CHILDREN!!!!!!!
I’m so proud to be apart of all of this.
I’m crying right now out of happiness. I’m having a huge celebration in Spokane next weekend, everyone is invited to it. It’s a potluck, I’ll send out more infor later.
This is awesome I am so excited!!!! Congratulations all of you who worked so hard! Shows that hard work really does pay off. I hope this leads to solving all the problems in Uganda. I am so happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
when i heard that this passed i could not contain my absolute happiness & pride :) i feel as if my efforts have actual been heard & that my generation will actually have things to be proud of & tell our children we were apart of.
this is seriously one of the greatest events in human history to c such a CHANGE that everyone was able to do is extremely inspiring i cant help but get choked up to see the power and love that the invisible children team has to offer its such a surreal feeling to know after all the hard work we have made change through striving and standing up for what is right thanks everybody truly inspiration
I am sure this means you will all be enlisting in the military so that you can put your life on the line to protect the children of Uganda.
We live in a cruel world, but no American family should have their soldier not come home because they died defending the children of another country. Our military is for defending Americans, not for policing the world.
Wow. Thank you Invisible Children. Yhank you God. To echo others, I am more proud of our generation than ever before. Mountains are moving!
I know I’m a little late commenting on this, but when I first saw it I was just so speechless. This is progress. This is a deserved step forward.
I was speechless too. I know these young leaders are wise in not pushing their faith on other people, but I have to give credit where it is due: I know that it’s the Lord Jesus, the One who created everything and who walked among us, who fills these brothers with the power and love that gets good done and stops evil. May we all follow their example of faith and courage. Well, it looks like we have. Look what we did together!
I’m in tears. This is absolutely amazing. I’m simultaneously proud and humbled to have been a part of this. Let’s keep it moving in the right direction. Congratulations everyone.
YES!!!!!! YES YES YES YES!!!
I love the Invisible Children… the Invisible Children are my inspiration. They are corageous, strong, and hopeful. Right now I am actually doing a research project for History class on Uganda, and the Invisible Children… they are just… again… my inspiration… there are not many phrases as strong as “I LOVE YOU”!!! So I must say… I LOVE THE INVISIBLE CHILDREN!!!
I hope Mathew learns to be more understanding of what this means, and how amazingly happy this could bring ALL of the people in Uganda… remember… not only the Invisible Children are scared of the war.
Freaking YUS! Keep spreading the word, guys!
Since my earliest childhood memories I can recall weeping for those burdened in Africa.
I couldn’t even go to sleep without praying for the kids I saw on TV. Now 31, and living on purpose to dismantle the matrix of media that easily consumes us (me), & distracts me from “the least of these,” I have promised myself and God to never ignore these faces that hope we see them, and won’t forget them.
Still having given to org. supporting world poverty, and hearing about genocide, even seeing this in a movie, I was still blind to this. Today I still weep for them, but now with intention, action, & knowing that it is up to us,individually, that it does make a difference. And I weep with tears of joy, justice, and thanksgiving for your selflessness. You have changed their lives as well as mine.
Thank you!
GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU!
beyond cool. (it says my comment is too short but seriously, what else can a person say?)
Finally. This is amazingggg:]
I cried tears of joy when I heard the news. My cousin just keeps looking at me like I am insane. This is beyond amazing!
you guys are unbelivable
Tremendous! You guys are the best! Congrats on a wonderful job! Activism does work – haven’t felt this good since the 60’s!
This is such a blessing! Though I can’t donate much money to this whole thing, I do it because someone needs it over there! I’m glad that the US recognizes the need to help. Keep goin’ strong young activists!!!!!♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ My heart goes out to those children!
When invisible children came to the high school, people considered it foolish, impossible, and won’t change anything except create another hundred sympathetic hearts. When this was passed, I could honestly say to them, “You were wrong. And I hope you always will be.” Invisible Children FTW
This is awesome. I’ve been following this forever and couldn’t be a roadie or go to Africa because of school and lack of money. I love that this all originates in my home town in Spring Valley, San Diego and I joined the Marine Corps in 2009 with the hope of getting involved with this. Now, with this bill in place, I have the chance to get myself attached with a unit that might participate in this operation. Good job guys!
Does this mean we’re finally sending support to Uganda? TRULY? YYYEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So… . .when will action come as a result of this bill that was passed months ago? I have been hearing gut wrenching stories of escalating violence in the region on the BBC. Its mid August now, the bill was passed in May, what has been done? Will the horrors never end?
Congratulations on an unprecedented vote by Congress! Now let’s put the pressure on the Administration to truly follow-through on its promises to these desperate, enslaved children! It’s wonderful to realize the power of our voices, particularly on such an important, non-partisan cause.
My friends and I have been waiting for this day forever and now we’re just finding out about it. this is great now those kids can free to live and Josef Kony can’t hurt them much longer.
We are all so glad that all the kids that haven’t been captured by Josef Kony will live their lives like normal kids and can do what they want instead of being hurt or anything because of Josef Kony ! YEAH WE DID IT!!!!!!
I am so moved and reinvigorated- keep reminding us to not forget. Love and Hope, Nicole
I AM SO GLAD I CAN SAY THAT I WAS PART OF SOMETHING SO AMAZING! EVERY SIGNATURE ON THAT PETION MATTERED!
Today in class we were presented an shown the first documentary of invisible children after the documentary I was covered in tears and couldnt understand why anyone could do this to young children; an the fact that nothing was being done was the most upsetting. Later on I went to work as a waitress but couldn’t focus cuz I had the thought of these young children on my mind while dealing with customers. After my shift I had to find comfort because I couldnt shake this off my mind so I visited your site and quite honestly I found comfort in ways. Thank you for actually doing something an having a voice for the children of Uganda I hope one day this will be over cuz no child should have to live this way and one day Joseph Kony will be stopped. I pray Obama will come through with this and see it through because that’s why we voted for him “yes we can” and yes we can save Uganda
It’s amazing what the youth of today can do. I’m glad to call myself a member of this life changing generation :)
It has been a long time for the suffering in Uganda … remembering the time during Idi Amin’s leadership and now the suffering of the young children. So glad that Uganda is finally getting the attention it needs. It is refreshing to see todays younger generation taking this interest. Keep up the good work Invisible Children! God Bless you and God Bless Uganda!
I just cried watching that video. This is amazing!!!
We’ve got to keep pushing forward. We are making history.
We’ve got to keep pushing forward. We are making history.
I cannot believe this is really happening!! I never thought that the efforts of my friends and I, who are not yet eligible to vote, could make a difference like this. I mean, this is a MAJOR step towards justice in the world! I am ecstatic about this monumental progress we have achieved. Congratulations to all! Let us keep up the good work and PRESS ON!
It has been a long time for the suffering in Uganda … remembering the time during Idi Amin’s leadership and now the suffering of the young children. So glad that Uganda is finally getting the attention it needs. It is refreshing to see todays younger generation taking this interest. Keep up the good work Invisible Children! God Bless you and God Bless Uganda!
A simple research project about the suffering in Uganda has led me to this source. I am in shock at the tireless efforts that made such a huge impact on our world.
ya when my dad died he talked to me every night when i was 9 he said goodnight
ha you suck uganda
and you make me have night mires at night and when im sick and you cause every thing why why why my life is ruined
Some progress on the gov’t level; this is great. :D
Were proud to be apart of all this (:
hmmmm….i dont buy this…even tho LRA passed this bill i got a bad feeling that hes just wants that so he can rebuild his army then strike again or something much worst do not trust LRA or kony they both need to die
i first got involved in this during a school project. i was scared that it was going to be yet another boring school assaignment…but was wrong. this is a very important issue in the world today and i am glad to see that this bill is being passed to solve this problem. i would just like to thank invisible children and anyone else who was involvedd in such a great act of humanity….you guys are great!
Congrats to those who have sacrificed so much energy and time to do what is right. I as well have become interested and educated on this topic because of a school project and upon graduation want to engage in such humanitarian efforts to help those suffering in Sudan and Uganda. I tip my hat off to those of you who have been so strong and brave, especially the 3 buds who started this all. Kudos to you guys and never give up!
I have been to Uganda and seen the heartbreak and damage. All I can say is AMEN that the USA is taking notice and doing something about it! Thank you Invisible Children for making Uganda visible to the rest of the world…
Fifteen minutes into watching Invisible Children’s documentary I started crying…At the end of the documentary I had a box of tissues next to me. Not only was I left heartbroken after seeing such atrocities… I was also left with the determination of doing something to help.
What Invisible Children has done is beyond words can say… All the dedication and passion put into helping all of these children is absolutely beautiful and wonderful.
Thank you!