First Annual ‘Walk to End Genocide’ to Take Place in DC on April 26

WASHINGTON—On April 26, hundreds will gather in Washington, D.C. for the first annual family friendly Walk to End Genocide hosted by Darfur Interfaith Network (DIN) and Jewish World Watch (JWW). The walk will be part of the largest annual anti-genocide rallies held in the United States during the Genocide Awareness month of April.

A wide-ranging, multi-faith coalition of policymakers, religious leaders, schools, and activists will join for a month of action and walking together to highlight the power of local communities to fight genocides and mass atrocities around the world. The April 26 event in Washington, D.C., will remember and honor Holocaust and genocide survivors and victims, raise funds for anti-genocide educational and advocacy efforts in the U.S., and support on-the ground projects that aid refugees and survivors of the conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan, and Congo.

This year’s walk coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Both tragedies will be commemorated during walks across the country, including in Los Angeles; Sioux City, Iowa; East Meadow, N.Y.; Santa Rosa, Calif.; and Conejo Valley, Calif.

“In commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, we must confront the sad truth that too many in the international community continue to stand idly by as genocides and mass atrocities plague our planet,” said Janice Kamenir-Reznik, the co-founder and president of Jewish World Watch. “These walks provides an important opportunity for people of conscience across the United States from different backgrounds and faiths to join with our elected leaders—and turn the words ‘Never Again’ into action.”

This is the first annual Walk to End Genocide in Washington, D.C., and will reflect the unique diversity of the nation’s capital. Local activists will join with interfaith groups to bring attention to the plight of communities now faced with genocide and mass atrocities in Sudan, South Sudan, and Congo. With the goal of inspiring and educating a new generation of local anti-genocide activists, the day’s activities will include arts and crafts projects for children, advocacy booths, and music, all to help nourish empathy and build compassion for the most vulnerable in our world.

The Walk to End Genocide will start behind the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum on Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW, and will run from 1:30-4 p.m. For more information, visit www.dc.walktoendgenocide.org.

Darfur Interfaith Network

DIN is a network of people from different faiths, races, ages, and backgrounds rooted in many local congregations in the D.C. area, both large and small. They have held a monthly vigil at the Embassy of Sudan in D.C. each month, for the past eight years. DIN has sponsored walks to raise money to build a kitchen for a school in South Sudan and other on-the-ground projects to help the suffering. They believe we are all God’s children, no matter what religion a person is, and that people should care for one another and speak up for those who do not have a voice. DIN feels it is up to all of us to do God’s work to help the suffering.

About Jewish World Watch

JWW is a leading organization in the fight against genocide and mass atrocities, representing hundreds of thousands of people across the United States. Since its founding in 2004, JWW has grown from a collection of Southern California synagogues into a national coalition that includes schools, churches, individuals, communities, and partner organizations that share a vision of a world without genocide. JWW has raised millions of dollars to advocate against genocide and atrocities around the globe, and to support programs and on-the-ground projects that improve the lives of survivors.