1: Film Your Own Message to Your Senators
Every STAND activist can take 5 minutes and record their own video message to their senator. You know why YOU care about genocide prevention, so let your senator know and tell him or her that you, as a constituent, support genocide prevention legislation!
Here are a few examples of videos that show a direct and clear message to the key decision makers. You can use video camera, a camera attached to your computer or built-in – or maybe even your mobile phone to record and share your message. You don’t need to have special effects, exciting backgrounds or extensive B-roll footage to create a powerful message!
Here’s a great compilation video from 24 Hours for Darfur, that shows how people submitted their messages via webcams and quick videos through YouTube – hope it sparks your imagination!
DIRECT VIDEO MESSAGES
Kumi Naidoo’s Appeal on Zimbabwe:
Kumi Naidoo, honorary president of CIVICUS and co-chair of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, is in day seven of a 21-day hunger strike in support of the struggling people of Zimbabwe. He recorded this video message from Johannesburg to urge Avaaz members throughout Africa and the world to join the solidarity action by pledging to fast for a day. Kumi will bring the messages and names of fasters around the world to the African Union summit on Sunday, February 1 and urge other African leaders to stand up to Robert Mugabe.
Opal Tometi’s appeal on Zimbabwe:
In 2008, political violence erupted throughout Zimbabwe as a result of highly contested national elections. Between May and July alone, local organizations estimate that state-sanctioned groups abducted, raped, tortured, and beat over 2,000 women and girls due to their political affiliations. WITNESS recorded this simple video:
