It’s official – the sun has set on the world’s final timezone and on Cover the Night. You have surpassed any and all expectations we had. While our intention for the event initially was to raise awareness about Kony and the LRA, after the film’s release the plan evolved into an opportunity to serve our communities and keep Kony and the LRA on the forefront of global consciousness. What happened tonight was that and so much more.
From the incredible and selfless volunteer projects to the innovative and creative ways people decorated their cities – you blew our minds. Seriously. Blown. From old-fashioned billboards by the freeway to digital ones in Times Square. From reverse graffiti of the liberty triangle to enormous murals proclaiming that our liberty is bound together. Man, woman, child, dog, cat, car, boat, work, home. Everyone was invited, included, and inspired. Check out the thousands of photos we received from people all over the world who took part in this monumental awareness campaign.
Leading up to April 20, we laid out a week of daily missions that encouraged global advocacy, and thousands of Kony 2012 supporters contacted the African Union, the United Nations, world leaders, and heads of state, asking them to support international efforts to end LRA violence. And the cogs of justice are slowly starting to turn.
Since March 8th, the U.S. Congress has introduced 7 pieces of LRA legislation. The Senate made a video expressing their longstanding concern about Kony’s crimes and their appreciation of youth advocacy. The European Union responded to thousands of tweets last Thursday with a statement about it’s support for international efforts to end LRA violence. Civil society leaders from DR Congo and CAR came together last week in Dungu, DRC, and released a joint statement calling on “the international community to engage, in line with international principles, to assist persons at risk, protect civilians, disband the LRA, and reunite our communities.”
The United Nations Security Council meets in June, and we intend to be there with millions of signatures, asking for an urgent response to the atrocities that are still happening in Central Africa. As June draws closer we will talk about specific action steps that you can take to make this meeting productive.
Great strides are being taken. But the LRA hasn’t stopped, and neither can we.
On April 20, 2012, young people from around the world served their local communities to advocate for international justice. We could not be more impressed or more grateful for the massive amount of support, thought, courage, and unity that were displayed through the hours of dedication from all of you, our supporters.
Here is a glimpse of what we have in store in the coming months. You know us, we always have something up our sleeves.
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