According to an official at the UK-based Aegis trust, this real-world action came about in large part because the HP Alliance “made it possible to send almost 10,000 e-mails asking for the Council to speak out … Without your imaginative campaigns over 3/4 of these emails would never have been sent.”
The e-mails (which were signed by Potter fans here) “really made the difference – showing that it wasn’t just NGOs [non-governmental organizations] and members of the elite who care about Darfur – but people from all walks of life disgusted at the impunity for mass murder and eager to see action.”
The HPA says this is only in the beginning; the next step is a switchover pledge, a peaceful show of disapproval for the Chinese government’s practice of supplying money and weapons to the hostile forces in the Sudan. Signees promise to switch their television sets from the Olympic coverage during commercials, over to a broadcast of Mia Farrow reporting from a Darfurian refugee camp.
Congratulations, Potter fans, on achieving real-world action!
This is wonderful news and the start of better things to come!
By the way, Melissa, why aren’t you asleep? Get some sleep, girl! It’s early in the morning…I’m going back to bed!
This is awesome! We should all remember that our voice counts, whether it is speaking up against atrocities like Darfur, voting, or working to improve our home community.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Fantastic news. Isn’t it wonderful when lots of little voices in the world can make such a very LOUD noise when then all sing from the same hymn sheet at the same time. Well done to all of us for standing up to these people and trying to make the world a kinder place.
I am extremely extremely impressed. I have loved the wonderful world of the Harry Potter fandom for a long time now, but I would never have believed that they – we – could achieve such a thing in the Muggle world. This is the SECURITY COUNCIL we are speaking about! If there is anything like magic, this is it. I am ashamed that I didn’t take part in the e-mail action, but will follow the activities of the Harry Potter Alliance much more closely from now on. Many congratulations to all who took part in the action and especially to those who organized it.
That really is awesome! I am happy that the HP community is using the morality of the story and the lessons of love to face the world to change it, to show that people can be inspired by books and fantasy to make the world a better place. I am proud that the community stood up and said no this has got to stop so loudly that the world had to take notice. I just want to say thank you to everyone who took part!
It felt so good to hear this news. I’m a part of something that is actually helping to make a real difference. Al-Bashir is a criminal of the worst kind. The road ahead will be very long and very difficult, but this is a huge step and it feels really good.
It is very heart warming to realize that novels by JKR have not only served for tremendous enjoyment in our world, but also as inspiration to follow in Harry’s footsteps to make a real difference. Congrats HP Alliance on a job WELL DONE!
That’s GREAT! The HP Alliance is awesome, Congratulations you guys! The weapon we have is love :D I am really active on the situation in Darfur, and this makes me have hope that things will get better soon!!
HP fans causing real-world action! And I have a feeling that this is only the beginning! We should send a bunch of copies of the books to the UN. If only everyone there would read them, the world would be a much better place, would it not?
This is wonderful news and the start of better things to come! By the way, Melissa, why aren’t you asleep? Get some sleep, girl! It’s early in the morning…I’m going back to bed!