Editor's Note: Mark Leon Goldberg is the managing editor of the UN Dispatch blog.
By Mark Leon Goldberg, UN Dispatch
By now, you have no doubt heard that George Clooney, several members of congress, and a bunch of other activists were arrested protesting outside the Sudanese embassy in Washington, DC.
Here’s why George got sent to the slammer:
You’ve probably heard of Darfur, the region in western Sudan where the Sudanese government used genocide as a tactic to surpress a rebellion. And you have also probably heard that there was a 20 year civil war between Sudan and South Sudan. That civil war ended with a 2005 peace agreement. Per the peace agreement, South Sudan became an independent country last June. It is the UN’s newest member state.
The border region between South Sudan and Sudan is called the Nuba mountains. This area is largely populated by ethnic groups that supported the South during the civil war, but now find themselves living on the north side of the border. For several months, the Sudanese military has been trying to purge their former adversaries and disarm rebel groups. Some of the tactics the Sudanese government has used are very reminiscent of Darfur: namely, targeting the civilian populations to get at the militias.
But that’s not really why Clooney got himself arrested. The fighting I describe has largely subsided. The Sudanese government has basically won. Now, they are punishing the civilians who still live in the Nuba Mountain border regions by blocking humanitarian access to the region. The Sudanese government is not letting groups like the World Food Program, UN Refugee Agency, or Red Cross/Red Crescent bring food or medicine to people in the region. The UN is warning of a looming famine and mass starvation in the Nuba Mountain region of Sudan. About 200,000 people on the Sudanese side of the border are at immediate risk of starvation.
So, the “demand” that George Clooney and the other protesters made to the Government of Sudan was to let humanitarian agencies access vulnerable people in the Nuba region. Blocking food aid is a tactic that the Sudanese government used to destroy populations in Darfur, and now it is repeating that same tactic in the Nuba mountains.
George and the others got themselves sent to the slammer to draw attention to this very urgent humanitarian emergency. Hopefully, people will take notice of the underlying reason why Clooney is spending his Friday afternoon in a DC jail cell.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of Mark Leon Goldberg.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
What I would like to know is why is protesting suddenly illegal in this country? That funeral protesting extremist religious group got their rights protected to protest, so how is it political protesters are being thrown in jail on a regular basis these days? What happened to the right to peacefully protest in this country?
George was arrested from trespassing on the property of the Sudanese Embassy. He was warned several times to stay off the property – I am sure he did it to bring attention to his protest. His protest in and of itself was not why he was arrested.
Bingo.
هذا ليس جيدا بالنسبة له
The police wouldn't have handled the protesters with kid gloves, had they not been George Clooney and his father!
This leads to no CIVIL RIGHTS at all,If we dont have the right to express are feelings, in the past,then,some of the greatest people,That influenced are country wouldnt have.
POLICE OFFICER INDICTED FOR FELONY FRAUD: DETAILS @ 7: UNETHICAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN REPORTER & VICTIM REVEALED!
Coti, you must understand that in countries like Sudan, there may be laws that prevent protests and gathering in groups. This is especially true when countries declare a state of emergency, upon which time it is illegal to gather in groups in public.
Omar, he was protesting in Washington, DC! So, I too am wondering why he was arrested. Is this solely for publicity?
If he was on Sudan embassy soil, technically he was in their jurisdiction.
You all really haven't been paying much attention the past year have you? Protest has been frowned upon in this country for a while, and since the Occupy Wall Street protests last year, many states are now passing laws that blatantly violate the 1st amendment by basically making protest illegal. Wake up!!! The US is turning into a fascist state, they do not want people to know what is going on in this country, they do not like protesters, they do not like real democracy.
Omar, it is quite simple, really. First, read the article before commenting. Second, as Jennifer has correctly pointed out, he was arrested for trespassing on the property of the Sudanese Embassy. He was warned several times against entering the property, but failed to yield to warnings. Hence, he was arrested. Comprende?
Read the article Scott. It says he was arrested outside the embasy
Gareth, he was arrested outside the embassy for trespassing ON the embassy grounds, because our police have no jurisdiction inside the embassy. So once Clooney left the embassy grounds, they busted him.
Yeah they just stick you in a biodome
Awesome! Now I can't wait to see old George and ancient George to protest the drone bombings in Pakistan... they target civilians too, y'know.
Pakistan is no friend of ours.
One man protests for one day, makes mainstream news. Thousands protest for weeks, and are not acknowledged. Yay media.
Think properly, "whiney kid", before you whine. A protest by thousands stops getting attention after several days of it. Even you wouldn't wanna put on your TV and see only protests throughout the day! George Clooney would also stop getting attention if his protest lasts after a certain period of time (after which people get bored of it). I need you to get into the real world and stop pretending you are humanitarian and fair. So reflect properly before you whine on this comment page again.
damn bee, why you gotta be like that?
Bee, you are super rude. Ew.
The Occupy protests didn't make televised media until some time after they began. A lot of people didn't even know the Wall Street Occupy was going on until October, let alone the other protests.
maybe he means the massive showing of military, protesting for ron paul in washington d.c. that was ignored by the mainstream media. They wanted to show the amount of support ron paul has from the military compared to the warmongers that are paraded as leaders right now.
Don't listen to the haters, Bee... I agree with what you've said – I also have very low tolerance for whiners.
Allow me to quote the wonderful poets, Metallica:
They say the empty can rattles the most
The sound of your own voice must soothe you
Hearing only what you want to hear
And knowing only what you've heard
Oh brother. Were you one of the "occupiers"?
I say "Yay Clooney". The reality is that the masses don't read about a bunch of "Average Joes" protesting things. The media does pay attention to a celebrity protesting about something, because the "Average Joes" do read those articles. So again, "Yay Clooney" for using his star power to put a spotlight on the issue.
I have served in that region as part of UN Mission in Sudan...the problem in that border region is far more complex it may appear. Nuba mountain has large number of population who were serving in police and armed froces in South Sudan.No solution had been reached in this regard by the time i left that placeThey follow a religion which is close to Christianity but may not be termed christianity in true sense.
And what does this have to do with the events that are happening now? I'm sure that what you've stated has some meaning, but you've failed to tie it into the story. Please, elaborate because I'd like to know.
What difference does it make what religion they follow? Or which side of the war they were on? Neither of those issues are justification for preventing humanitarian aid and thus causing genocide through starvation. A peace treaty was agreed to, now the government needs to take care of their entire population. There are agencies that will help, they just need to be allowed in. Civilized governments don't get to decide which people they want and just kill off the rest. Not any more. Behave as if the God in all life matters, no matter what name you give your God..
Sudan, then called Nubia, was converted to Christianity in the 1st century. How are they less Christian then somebody who just up and started their own toy church 200 years ago? The Orthodox are Christians.
Dear Fareed , As Iranian nothing upset me more than to see the ignorance of media in this country specially when I see Homan Mejd ,and Niac Group ,Terita Parsi view is being interpreted as Iranian people view, Did you know these Iranian Government lobbyist are getting pay by Iranian Regime to confuse us about all issues . We have many qualify people to share our view such as Mansoure Ferheng, Hessen Dia, and many, many more. Your program is intelligent and we count on your program to reflect our view ,not lobbyist who confuse President Obama during our last uprising. It is about the time to raise our voice to all the Dictator and their agent such as Homan Mjed, Terita Parsi.
What? He was arrested for demanding humanitarian aid? That doesn't make sense. Unless, of course, maybe he used the US/UN definition of "humanitarian" and threatened to send troops and drones. Maybe this is a new approach since the Kony Baloney campaign is being outed as an excuse to occupy. But really, George Clooney? If he really wants to send aid to Sudan, doesn't he have enough money to finance a plane and drop supplies to the people himself? Why make a big fuss? Just do it! Unless there are other political aims ... hmmmm
You must be some kind of retarded. No amount of money will allow you to fly into sovereign airspace without permission and without creating some kind of international incident.
But he did fly in! I just watched an interview with him and they showed a clip of him, next to dead bodies and crouching children, right there in Sudan in the mountain area he has been talking about. Had a cameraman etc. I guess if you're George Clooney you can do what you want, almost. Sure, he'll have to pay-off somebody if he wants to bring-in more supplies
No, he got arrested for trespassing. Also, I'm sure that he was glad to be arrested. If he were some Joe off the street would we be reading this on CNN? I think not. Publicity stunt for a cause.....
He got arrested in Washington, DC at the Sudanese Embassy. But he didn't get arrested in Sudan.
protesting the blocking of humanitarian aid? what do you call US instigated sanctions against other countries? The US has been blocking humanitarian aid to countries for years. hardly news.
fair point.
but can america help selected countries over other countries that it considered enemies?
or american should treat every country on earth equally? no country does that.
it's not morally right but it's pretty stupid if America polices every single country or be equally nice to its enemy or enemy of its friendly countries.
Danielle, I've been reading the comments people on this blog..and allow me to say that when I reached yours I sighed and thought: finally a sane reasonable smart person!
Bravo Clooney. I'd like to see a Hollywood stars protest for the people in Gaza, but then again, they do want to work in Hollywood.
Amen. You have to pick PC issues to take on. Nonetheless, bravo George for caring about others instead of only focusing on yourself – like most of Hollywood.
way to go George...............................!!!.............................................Good Man................................!!!
Good job, George! It's great that you use your public image to stand up for humanity! You're a good man for doing that, especially when you "could" use your time and wealth just lounging around in a tropical paradise. You express the best of mankind!
The satellite surveillance of southern Sudan went live on December 30, 2010. According to TIME magazine (December 28, 2010), the Satellite Sentinel Project – a joint experiment by the U.N.’s Operational Satellite Applications Programme, Harvard University, the Enough Project and Clooney’s posse of Hollywood funders – will hire private satellites to monitor troop movements starting with the oil-rich region of Abyei.
The collection of satellite imagery were devised by Jewish Trellon and Google. The Harvard Humanitarian Initiative run by Jennifer Leaning and Michael Van Rooyen will be in charge of deciphering them, while the Enough Project headed by Gayle Smith and John Prendergast (who formerly steered the South Sudan separation project within the US National Security Council) will supply the political analysis.
The campaign against the government in Khartoum run by organizations like ‘Save Darfur’, ‘Not On Our Watch’, etc. are loaded by pro-Israel Jews and Christians. Israeli media has admitted that the ‘Save Darfur’ organization is a brain-child of 15 Jewish organizations in America which wants to save the lives of Christians (5%) and Pagans (20%) in Southern Sudan but not the victims of their fellow Jews in Palestine, seven million of whom are forced to live in refugee camps or as immigrants in foreign lands. Furthermore, funds (US$50 million) from the ‘Save Darfur’ have already been used to to settle foreign Jews
on Arab lands in occupied Palestine
Thank-you George Clooney for trying to use your power and influence for good. I saw a video of you in Sudan earlier this week and I admire you not only for speaking out but for putting your own personal safety in jeopardy. Lots of people are afraid to leave their cars on a dark city street to patronize a restaurant let alone travel to a war zone to advocate for people who have no money, no power, and no voice. You are a great humanitarian.
George Cloonry is a dedicated/compassionate man who has sacrificed his time and money without sensationalising his humanitarian efforts. In building homes , providing health programs etc. and now in actually putting his life on the line. He like Brad Pitt and the former President Carter have "gone where few people dare" to exhibit the' ideals and beliefs' of what the American people , and the now President Obama relives in eliminating George W.'s brash onslought , while demonstrating it through his drive to bring back the troops from Afghanistan/Iraq and striving for world Peace....
George Clooney and his father must be released. After all, this is a humanity cause, a life and death cause that has to be addeessed. Shame on the US if they don't demand their imediate release. We will continue to support George and his father untill this gets resolved.
Deliver the poor and needy at risk people from evil. Poverty is a weapon to destroy people's life and destiny.
Cloony is a UN stooge "humanitarian" aid for the UN is dropping bombs on the people, and completely destroying any infrastructure, case in point Libya.
Google Agenda 21 and you'll understand the plans for this country.
I commend Clooney for this, but why is it that protesting the Sudanese Government results in an afternoon in jail, while protesting our own government is now a felony? People need to wake up about where we are going. If you don't know about HR347 then shame on you.
Why is he protesting to our government? The article wasn't written too well. There should have been some information about what the US government could possibly do to help influence this situation.
I agree, no bully government should intentionally trap hundreds of thousands of people from getting food. I realize the US has played the role of global policia, but isn't that something we should be doing less of?
Sounds complicated. Of course it's bad but come on... Is this world a utopia yet? Far from it. I'm against this violence completely. But what can our government do? I'd like to read about that!
What has the world come to, really??? I mean, to be a world known famous actor and to put yourself out there... ALONG with your own Father by your side is just the pure definition of MAKING A DIFFERENCE! Why are all these political leaders devious? Why would you want to harm your own people... The world has become a dark place.. People like George and his father are the small vices of seeing lightness & heart in such a dark world... GO CLOONEY! & GO POPS!
I mean really... what has our world come to? I've never of sooo much abuse towards humans as I have in the past 2 weeks! Especially, children! That was a brave move in my opinion of GEORGE CLOONEY to put yourself out there in the media! I hope everyone is taking into consideration the cruel acts of the Sudan Government! Starving their own people... I mean, is this 1942? Is the sudan government going to start putting up concentration camps? I guess not, right? Easier to just have innocent people starve!
Fareed, most of what you mentioned up there is incorrect! This is not about genocide! This is about two strong parties (Sudan's Armed Forces and the SPLA North supported by South Sudan government) fighting a war in the middle of the most populous villages and towns in the Nuba Mountain! Fighting hasn't subsided: None of the main bastions of the SPLA North at Nuba mountains (Kauda, Heban, Buram) have falled and the SPLA North were the last party to achieve any military victories in the field following success at Jau and Torogi! The problem is they do not set up camps outside populated areas and end up staying right next to civilian huts and in the middle of towns and villages! The Sudanese army is brutal as we know from Darfur & south sudan and they wouldn't hesitate bombing any target! SPLA-N are not as innocent as you are implying: They have a history of recruiting children, they failed to disarm and disband according to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), and they lost last year's South Kordofan elections last year (that election was monitored by the reputable Carter Centre for Democracy)!!!!
Hey George,
Where were you when Occupy needed you? I totally support your purpose in this incident, but people in your own country are facing similar kinds of oppression.
It truly amazes me that these Hollywood stars are so consumed with the plights of foreign countries, when there are so many unfed children and families right here at home in the USA. I guess it wouldn't be as newsworthy if he was protesting for something so mundane. I realize we are one of the richest and most powerful countries in the world. Why not protest the attracities right here within our own cities and get it done here before we try and police the rest of the world. Just saying...do your own laundry first before you take in someone elses.
The reason why is an African invasion is being planned under the guise of "humanitarian aid". If Hollywood actors make it look cool then it's easier for the public to digest and even cheer on. Don't you see Kony2012 comes out and now Clooney is protesting Sudan. The UN wants to seize control of Africa's natural resources. Their intentions will be apparent soon enough.
I think everyone is mssing to the point. Someone who might otherwise be perceived as a spoiled pampered celebrity is making a sacrafice and his using his celebrtiy to draw attentiojn to a terrible situation and that's always a good thing.
I agree with you.. You are so right. His purpose is very impressive..it made lots of people aware of the situation..
George Clooney is and honorable man without a shadow of a doubt. Good for him he got arrested for a just cause to bring out the truth behind who is profiting the most from the misery of Sudan, but China. China took the place of U.S.S.R. and it seems it’s winning over the U.S. and the western world through diplomacies and through profiting due slaving its people from cheap labor. The U.S. should be proud of its son, George Clooney. twinsinarms.com
Indeed! May he and his father multiplies...
I agree with therodman54. Let's feed all the starving civilians home in the USA, then worry about Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc, etc! Who is protesting for humanitarian aide to our own homeless and poor??????
The poverty in America is not the same poverty that Sudan is experiencing. Extreme poverty defines no food, no water in short famine...When you see it personally like George did when he went there, then maybe you will forget the poverty taht you are talking about.
I'm from the 60's back in them days he would not be in jail all a lone like this the heppies stood together though out the whole usa fill every jail and perisons to it's fulless and still need 10 of 1,000's more cells for protesting only way goverment hear us when they are lossing 1,000,000's and every one can't work being in jail no paying taxes they loss two different ways have no money not usa every state , then took over changes were made by the states and took care of our own each other the week the sick and the helpless and stood our ground all kill no one no guns booms couldn't say take about the goverment with their own people took years but changes were made we are very powerful in numbers with our own goverments but did pretty much go word wide one thing we need to do again no have to do now then when over I want to see another wood stock first one , by the people for the people party like it was our last 4 days of life on earth all and every one from all over the word ya I did it saw all went to jail more then once with brothers and sisters every one brothers and sisters no one went hugery the suck were taken care of the helpless were help good and bad were taken in given love hugs and no one was judged with love we became as one ..........and all the gods were with us all I want before I move on to real new life times were are people standing side by side all together wow any on be leave in carma wow in writing this my is on his way with grandson for visting this weekend not wood stock same love and good feelings come on all lets do this again and the usa the strong again and powerful all stand together love,peace............Jeffrey R. Bansemer seinrer hugsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss hugsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
George, meet Tomo!
http://www.tomokriznar.com/tomokriznar.html
His is a actor, so he acts.
Who better to bring this cause to light BUT the best!!
Because he is a schill like that war Monger for the United Nations Angelina Jolie, and wants to get credit for something that alot of other people have been protesting for a much longer time. "He's a Corporate F'n Schill, everything he says is suspect." -Bill Hicks
the afgani investigation and the international lab proved now that 15 usa soldiers was involved of killing more than 16 children and women, and that 15 soldiers ra pe 2 afgani ladies young ladies ra pe them repeatdley and then shot them dead and burned there bodies , exactley as it happened in iraq when usa soldiers ra ped 14 years old girl then shot her and shot her parents and brothers and burned there bodies ...usa did that in vitnam ,korea and many other places they are murderous thugs ra piest killers and OBAMA say soyy all the time!!?/while leaving evil iranians and evil syrian bashar al asad killing more civilians obama is a cowered president if obama want to fix this problem he must attack syria now and remove bashar al asad to show to the muslim world that he mean it, remove the evil in syria now and prove your point OBAMA.......why you are silent...SILENCE IS A CRIME.
Wow I am really impressed with George Clooney (not a fan of his and nor do I think he is a good actor), but boy what he did yesterday was bloody marvellous and bloody brave, I admire your courage sir, it goes to show that there are celebrities that do care and will stand up for what is right, unlike the ones who just want attention, by either drinking too much, doing drugs and getting arrested for petty crime, well done Mr Clooney an dthank you for using your celebrity status to raise an unfair issue, altho this issue maybe miles away from. there are people like me in this world who appreciates your sentiments.
George Clooney, his Father and Brad Pitt are stepping up to the plate when it comes to their humanitarian involvement. My point is they are living very comfortable, therefore, to share their $$ and get arrested (jail) bring to light those misfortunes that are suffering gloomy conditions; my hat is off to them and the hardship they face for their cause/believes.
As a Canadian watching this story unfold I am grateful to know some celebrities will use their status to attempt to improve humanitarian conditions in our world. There is still so much that needs to be done. I know George, Brad and even Sean Penn are human activitsts. It may not seem to some that they aren't doing enough but every drop in the bucket helps. We all need to get involved like these fine men.
To all of my American cousins. Pardon my jumbled message I meant human rights activists but I think you all get the point I was trying to make.
Looking almost more than one year but it was sad news to see Clooney arrested... He is one of my favourite actor in hollywood..
Mario
http://www.mariophotography.com.au