As one of the lead organizers for the December 2006 town meeting event, “Accountable to Humanity: Justice in Darfur,” I want to set the record straight about that event, the Save Darfur Coalition and the criticism by the arrested hecklers mentioned in “BU protester fined, could face jail time” (Dec. 6, p. 3). The town meeting was an opportunity to stimulate dialogue about the ongoing genocide in Darfur. It brought together hundreds of local experts, professors, students and community members to discuss the ways that individuals can respond to the crisis.

In response to the comment made by the protester about the Save Darfur Coalition “making up any reason they can to invade,” it is important to note that our elected officials, international activists and human rights organizations were calling for a lasting peace and security in Darfur long before the Save Darfur Coalition existed. Additionally, the coalition and its member activists have always advocated using multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, European Union, African Union and the Arab League to urge the international community to become more engaged in this issue — never a U.S. invasion of Darfur.

Bizarre conspiracy theories about oil and invasions do nothing to help the 2.5 million Darfuris who were violently driven from their homes and who continue to languish in camps. The hecklers’ criticism is void of real solutions and distracts from the efforts we all are making to protect Darfuri lives and bring an end to the ongoing suffering and violence.

Jirair Ratevosian

Lead organizer, Accountable to Humanity: Justice in Darfur

MPH, SPH ’07