PRESS RELEASE: Darfur Hunger Strike Moves to Sudan Embassy 24 Hours Per Day

Darfur Hunger Strike Moves to Sudan Embassy 24 Hours Per Day Until el-Bashir Regains His Humanity

Washington, DC March 12, 2007 Darfur Hunger Strike day thirteen moves to the Sudan Embassy on Tuesday, March 13, where the striker intends to remain until Sudan President el-Bashir regains his humanity and brings full and generous protection, relief and restoration to his tortured Darfur family. Start Loving, previously known as Jay McGinley, has attempted to end the Darfur Genocide since May 14, 2006 by vigiling 134 days at and around the White House, accompanying this with 60 days of water-only hunger strike.

Loving, an executive in the computer industry turning around failing organizations most of his adult life, is also a trained psychological counselor and was on the management team of a small retail chain in Philadelphia until May 13, 2006 when he gave up everything to fight nonviolently in DC for his Darfur family.

“I appeal to the heart, to the humanity, to the Immortal Soul of my brother el-Bashir,” said Loving. “Al-Bashir is headed toward a place in history alongside Adolph Hitler, George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Zionists and Pol Pot. He has the blood of millions on his hands. I hope to give my life, if that is required, in an attempt to awaken his heart in time to save my brother and some of our Darfur brothers and sisters. I hope to find the heroism and courage of my blessed brother and sister U.S. Soldiers who willingly give their Lives in Iraq for others, as mistaken as their beliefs may be.”

According to the faith based SaveDarfur.org coalition, “not since the Rwandan genocide of 1994 has the world seen such a calculated campaign of displacement, starvation, rape, and mass slaughter... Darfur has been embroiled in a deadly conflict for over three years. At least 400,000 people have been killed; more than 2 million innocent civilians have been forced to flee their homes and now live in displaced-persons camps in Sudan or in refugee camps in neighboring Chad; and more than 3.5 million men, women, and children are completely reliant on international aid for survival.”


Loving faces added difficulties in his Sudan Embassy Hunger Strike campaign including a record of arrests for peacefully demonstrating at the Pentagon, Federal Court House and the White House. Despite more than 60 nonviolent, all night vigils in front of the White House acknowledged by the police to be lawful and admirable, in late January of 2007 a rogue police officer, under the cloak of darkness, harassed and then arrested Loving for sitting up under a tree holding Darfur posters; just as Loving had done on the previous nights. Loving's court date for this arrest is March 21st and the Sudan Embassy Hunger Strike will preclude attendance at this hearing.

Loving faces added difficulties in his Sudan Embassy Hunger Strike campaign including a record of arrests for peacefully demonstrating at the Pentagon, Federal Court House and the White House. Despite more than 60 nonviolent, all night vigils in front of the White House acknowledged by the police to be lawful and admirable, in late January of 2007 a rogue police officer, under the cloak of darkness, harassed and then arrested Loving for sitting up under a tree holding Darfur posters; just as Loving had done on the previous nights. Loving's court date for this arrest is March 21st and the Sudan Embassy Hunger Strike will preclude attendance at this hearing.

Additionally, Loving is completely without support or backing for his campaign which will make his campaign more difficult to survive for any significant length of time. On previous strikes Loving has had access to water , bathroom facilities and the protection of Lafayette Park Officers. Additionally, without support Loving has no knowledge or experience to guide him regarding the potential behavior of police. Despite the fact that he will be entirely nonviolent it is unknown what police action may be mounted by the various law enforcement agencies.

“Time is long past “up” for our Darfur family, and for the Soul of my brother el-Bashir” said Loving. “I have no illusion that my efforts will make any difference, but that is not my responsibility. Our Father calls us to be faithful, not successful. As best I can tell Our Father, Humanity, Conscience, Love, whatever you call it demands that we risk everything we have to awaken a Saving Love, Brotherhood, Humanity in a brother, el-Bahsir, in the face of such suffering and atrocity. This is my best attempt.”


Contact:
Start Loving – Man seeking to end Darfur Genocide
Sudan Embassy Sidewalk, 2210 Massachusetts Ave, NW., Washington, DC
start_loving@yahoo.com (expected to be unattended during this Darfur Hunger Strike campaign.
Further information: www.StandWithDarfurWhiteHouseII.blogspot.com (all blogs at “Complete Profile”).
Attachment: Letter to el-Bashir