Financial Aid for Northern Uganda

We, the People of the World, in defiance of national self-interest, hereby petition the United States government for a redress of grievances, as provided for in the First Amendment to the Constitution.

Specifically, our grievances concern the slaughter and torture of children taking place daily in Africa, most notably in Northern Uganda. Thousands of helpless children are being forcibly drafted into the so-called "Lord's Resistance Army", led by Joseph Kony. These children, some as young as 5 years old, are being abducted, beaten, raped, slaughtered, made to slaughter others, and otherwise tormented on a daily basis. With no defense against these atrocities, these children are forced to spend every night fleeing across the African landscape by the thousands, sleeping in crowded, unsafe, unsanitary locations such as parking lots, streets, barns, and anywhere else they can find shelter. While in these places they are completely without protection, nourishment, or medical aid.

While we understand the importance of the war that America is currently fighting, we feel that the situation in Uganda requires immediate, emergency attention and action. When there is suffering and injustice in the world, it is the responsibility of those in power to use any and all means necessary to end that suffering.

Therefore, we the undersigned petition you, the United States government, for financial aid of the highest amount possible to be rendered immediately unto the/an organization(s) that, in your best estimate, would render the greatest service to the stricken people of Uganda. We further encourage you to strongly consider the organization that calls itself, "Invisible Children", found at: www.invisiblechildren.com.

Each name below was freely signed by courageous members of the worldwide community, who have been deeply moved by the plight of our brothers and sisters, and are therefore lobbying for the resources to create dynamic change in a torn, forgotten corner of the world. We do this to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, in the hope that there is yet in our government the simple capacity to feel sympathy for those living in terrible days.