Reminder: Book drive competition ending on February 7th

President Obama references the mission to stop the LRA

President Obama referenced the mission to stop the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in his speech at the National Prayer Breakfast yesterday. This is a big sign that things are going well.

“And when I decide to stand up for foreign aid, or prevent atrocities in places like Uganda, or take on issues like human trafficking, it’s not just about strengthening alliances, or promoting democratic values, or projecting American leadership around the world, although it does all those things and it will make us safer and more secure. It’s also about the biblical call to care for the least of these — for the poor; for those at the margins of our society.”

Read the full transcript of President Obama’s speech here via The Washington Post.

Segal Family Foundation

One of our amazing supporters, the Segal Family Foundation, is a young organization that uses a common sense approach towards making a difference in the lives and communities of people in Sub-Saharan Africa. Like Invisible Children, they started out with a sincere curiosity to seek out an area of the world where there was the most need and could make an impact. The Segal Family Foundation’s funding has been focused on our Legacy Scholarship Program for female university scholars. Because of the Segal Family Foundation and other scholarship donors, 45% of our scholars are women in secondary programs. Incredible.

Read the inspiring article written by Martin Segal, the Managing Director of the the Segal Family Foundation here.

Behind KONY 2012 tour: Team Mid Atlantic

TEAM MID ATLANTIC
Kentucky, Raleigh (NC), Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC
EMILY BURCHETT, LAWRENCE BREMER, DYANNA JAYE & FREESIA LEVINE

Ugandan Roadie: Odong Kizito

Self-proclaimed team motto: “Are you ready to rumble?”

Honorable mention: They call themselves Lawrence and the Machine.

Team Mascots: Juba (like the peace talks) and Troupa (like the troops)

Welcome to the getting-to-know-the-roadies interview. Let’s start with where you’re from.

Dyanna Jaye (DJ): Chesapeake, Virginia.

Freesia Levine (FL): Santa Rosa, California.

Lawrence Bremer (LB): Winchester, New York

Emily Burchett (EB): Salt Lake City, Utah.

You guys were just informed of who your Ugandan teammate is going to be. Are you excited?

DJ: It’s Odong Kizito! We’re so excited!

Thad [our photographer]: He is the most amazing man – you are very lucky to have him.

EB: We can’t wait to meet up with him!

So, how did you guys come to be familiar with Invisible Children? How did your roads lead here?

DJ: In 2006 my World History teacher showed The Rough Cut to our high school class.

FL: I went to a screening of The Rough Cut.

LB: I got involved after I saw pieces of The Rough Cut in college in Connecticut.

EB: In high school I saw The Rough Cut, and then won the golden ticket from the GO documentary and won a trip to Uganda.

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

DJ: I am looking forward to seeing Kentucky since I’ve never been there. And I’m excited to go to DC since they have been lobbying the bill.

FL: I haven’t been to any of the places we’re visiting except DC so I’m excited for everywhere.

LB: I’m excited to be in DC during an election year!

EB: I’m looking forward to Kentucky and the accents.

And the hats! In the event of downtime, what is your favorite movie that you’ll try to get your teammates to watch?

DJ: Love Actually.

FL: Life is Beautiful.

LB: Step Brothers

EB: Jurassic Park, or The Guardian.

Nice. What about TV shows?

DJ: The Office.

FL: Friends.

LB: The Office.

EB: Modern Family, or Dirty Jobs.

If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?

DJ: Banksy [the British street artist].

FL: Bell Hooks…I have a social justice crush.

LB: Emma Watson…there are no words.

EB: The Silver Fox [Sean Connery] and/or Ryan Gosling.

What is your biggest fear?

DJ: Climate change.

FL: Getting lost by myself in a car.

LB: When I see people standing close to the edge of a cliff.

EB: Shots and needles. And I have a weird fear of sleeping next to a window.

Hopefully none of you will have to face your biggest fears while out on the road. We’re so excited for you to go launch the KONY 2012 campaign – stop at nothing, Team Mid-Atlantic.

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Team Mid-Atlantic wants to meet you at a screening. Call them to set one up at (619) 562-2799 Ext 180 or fill out this form.

[NEW RELEASE] Guards “Do It Again”

Our Artist Ambassador and buddies Guards just released a SoulTrain inspired, cameo-packed new music video for their single “Do It Again.” Don’t think we didn’t notice you, Austin (Lesands) and Robby (SD legend). Great work guys, we love it!

Flashback Friday: Yours Truly Presents: Middle Brother + Mountain Man

In 2010 Yours Truly filmed the debut performance Middle Brother and Mountain Man for us at our annual Holiday Benefit show at The Troubadour. The combo of three frontmen (Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, Matt Vasquez of Delta Spirit and John McCauley of Deer Tick) plus the three lovely ladies from Mountain Man made for an untouchable performance.

Yours Truly & Invisible Children Present: Middle Brother & Mountain Man from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

Needed: Donations for the Ugandan Roadies

Very soon the incredible Roadies joining us from Uganda will be arriving in America. We want to keep them warm and well-prepared for their upcoming adventures across North America. Their appreciation for any possible assistance in providing these items would be huge. They are needed by February 20th at the latest.

What they need: (For young adults in their 20’s – Men & Women)

• Sleeping bags (New or gently used)
• Coats & jackets (New or gently used)
• Hats, scarves & gloves
• Body lotion for dry skin
• Toothbrushes & toothpaste
• Deodorant

Where to send them:

Attn: Ugandan Roadies
Invisible Children, Inc.
1620 5th Avenue, Suite 400
San Diego, CA 92101

Brittany Keesling
Office of Development
Bkeesling@invisiblechildren.com
619-562-2799 Ext 229

Featured Photos from Soundcheck: VHS or Beta & Hyena at the Hard Rock Hotel

VHS or Beta and SD locals Hyena were the featured artists last night at Soundcheck, a once a month night of fun that we do with the Hard Rock Hotel and FILTER Magazine in downtown San Diego.

Our insanely talented designer Chadwick Gantes jumped in the crowd and dance battled his way to the front to grab these beautiful photos.

We still have a few handscreened posters from our pals at Aloha Sunday. Shoot Lauren an email if you want to grab one for a $20 donation.

Poster design by Brandon Reeves.

VIDEO: Feist // “The Bad In Each Other”

To preface this video in any other way besides with what Leslie Feist wrote on her Facebook would be silly.

So, here it is:

This video captures glimpses of something human, we get a peek inside something real between people – could be loss, longing and love. A lot of things which is about being a human being….

It is told in a way where it opens up more aspects than it concludes.

Maybe something we can’t grasp, but it points at it or touches it and
leaves us with different kinds of emotions.

You could think about the video like a song or a poem, and different
people will connect to different things- and those connections might
be different from time to time when they watch it.

It’s the second video off last year’s impeccable Metals. Emotions abound.

Behind KONY 2012 tour: Team New England

TEAM NEW ENGLAND
Maine, New Hampshire, upstate New York, Vermont, Massachusetts

CALEB RIDDLE, ROSA COLMAN, ALLY HALL & ERIN MILLER

Self-proclaimed team motto: “New England C.A.R.E.’s”

Please state your name & birthplace for the record.

Rosa Colman (RC): I’m Rosa and I’m from Olympia, Washington.

Erin Miller (EM): My name is Erin and I’m from Stanhope, New Jersey.

Ally Hall (AH): I’m Ally and was born in Harrin, Illinois.

Caleb Riddle (CR): My name is Caleb and I’m from Chesapeake, Virginia.

I guess the most important question for Team New England is if the New England Patriots are your favorite football team? If not, which team is?

RC: Seattle Seahawks.

EM: New York Giants.

[Sound: me throwing my pen across the room in frustration.]

AH: I don’t really have one…maybe the Rams…I’m from near St. Louis.

CR: Carolina Panthers.

How did you all find out about Invisible Children? What led you to become Roadies?

RC: My seventh grade teacher showed The Rough Cut to our class, and then I met Bethany Bylsma when she was a Roadie.

EM: When I was a freshman at Virginia Tech I went to a screening of The Rough Cut.

AH: When I was 16 I saw The Rough Cut and got involved throughout high school and college.

CR: I heard about IC in high school and saw The Rescue stream on IC’s website.

Any annoying habits that are going to drive your teammates crazy while on the road?

RC: All of us are night people…so mornings will be rough.

EM: I tend to drum on things and don’t notice it.

AH: I talk in my sleep. I literally have entire conversations with myself. I’m told.

CR: This could be embarrassing but I always have morning breath, so I always have mints and gum.

And I’m sure all the girls will be thankful for that. What is your favorite type of music?

RC: Rap!

EM: Me too!

AH: Me three! Especially when driving.

CR: Not me. I prefer more relaxed music, like something with ukuleles.

Isn’t it usually reversed? I always think of guys liking rap music, and girls preferring a more relaxed sound. Bygones. What is your favorite food?

RC: Thai food.

EM: Seafood.

AH: Thai food.

CR: Pizza…I love pizza…I eat it everyday.

If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?

RC: Stephen Schwartz [the composer].

EM: I’ve been thinking about Heath Ledger lately, so, Heath Ledger.

AH: I’ve been asked this before and always say Jason Russell.

You know, we might be able to arrange that.

AH: That would be awesome. Jason, I’m ready for lunch!

CR: J.J. Abrams.

Good one! Last question – where are you most excited to visit?

RC: We’re trying to book a screening in Martha’s Vineyard, so that would be exciting. And I’m excited to see Boston in general.

EM: Vermont.

AH: Boston. One of my best friends Stephani just moved there and it will be nice to be in the same time zone as her.

CR: I’m just excited to journey across the United States.

We’re excited for you. Get ready for an adventure Team New England – we’re lucky to have you representing IC!

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Team New England would love to book a screening in your town. Call them at (619) 562-2799 Ext 327 or fill out this form.