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The protest was part of the “Sudan: Day of Conscience” actions organized by the Save Darfur Coalition. In early August, Sinkford was one of the initial signers of the Coalition’s Unity Statement. The text of the statement is online at www.savedarfur.org. (see link below.)
Sinkford was held five hours and released. No court appearance was required. Others arrested were actor/activist Danny Glover, Trans-Africa Forum president Bill Fletcher, and Salih Booker and Emira Woods, also from TransAfrica Forum.
In his sermon at All Souls, Sinkford said, “This is a day of conscience. We come to stand in solidarity with persons who are suffering, who are starving, who are dying, who are being raped. Although there are many things we cannot change, we can change what is happening in Sudan.” Sinkford urged congregations to get involved, saying, “If we can help our leaders understand the dimensions of what is unfolding in Darfur, thousands of lives can be saved.”
According to event coordinator Paula Cole Jones, an All Souls member and UUA antioppression consultant, witnessing on behalf of victims on the other side of the world is the right thing to do in and of itself, but it also helps further justice within our own UU communities. Reflecting on the day’s events, Jones said, “When the UUA and our congregations take a public stand around matters of race, our religious community and our faith become more relevant to people of color, and as a result, we become more multicultural.”
see below for links to resources related to this story.
Related Stories
- UUs Speak Out Against Genocide in Darfur. Coverage of President Sinkford's arrest at UUA.org.
- Darfur Resources from the UUSC. How you can get involved with the UU Service Committee. (UUSC.org)