Boston seeks to 'Rescue'

Thousands of activists from all over the country will unite at the Commons this Saturday in a joint effort to increase awareness in the fight against child abduction and brutality in Northern Uganda. 

The event, called ‘The Rescue,’ is the brainchild of the non-profit organization, Invisible Children Inc., which seeks to raise awareness about the plight of children in the midst of the long enduring war in Uganda and the Congo. The mission is to create media attention and incite government action to protect children who are being abducted nightly by rebel army, the Lord’s Resistance Army, led by Joseph Kony. The children are deemed ‘invisible,’ because that is the only way that they can survive—if they are not seen. They trek for miles during the night to find havens for one night. Then they must move on to the next like silent shadows. It seems unimaginable to us, but it’s a tragic reality for these children who are forced to become child soldiers or live in constant fear of being captured.   

‘The Rescue’ calls on participants to ‘abduct themselves for the abducted.’ The movement serves as a symbolic journey of the suffering that the children must endure each night, with a walk that will start off at the North End Playground at 3 pm and end at the Boston Commons at 11 pm. The participants will write letters and speak with media outlets to get the word out that something must be done to protect these children. Senator Kerry and Governor Patrick are just some of the names expected to show up at the rally, which will also take place in 99 other cities and in eight other countries.

For the past twenty-three years, Northern Uganda has been wracked by civil conflict and terror. A war that was originally internal has evolved into a widespread crisis that calls for immediate international attention. It is with fervent hope that the multitudes are asking the government to step in to develop strategies and support existing endeavors to stop the abduction and killing of innocents.

Find out more about ‘The Rescue’
 

- Christine Choe