45°
U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern said he is still haunted by the words of a Sudanese woman he heard talk about watching her entire family – including her children – be murdered by the Bashir regime ruling the country.
McGovern (D-Worcester) was arrested on Friday along with George Clooney and several others protesting outside of the Sudanese embassy in Washington, D.C.
"The government is bombing and killing innocent men, women and children and now they are using food as a weapon and denying humanitarian aid organizations to deliver supplies to the people," McGovern said.
The arrest is the latest in a series of efforts McGovern's made to help bring attention to the humanitarian crisis there.
"A few years ago, I visited a refugee camp and I met this woman who told me about her family being killed," McGovern said. "I asked her how she could relive those horrible events. She said she wouldn't have the courage to talk about her children if she didn't think people cared."
He said that he believes people ought to care and that he is proud of the actions he and others took on Friday.
"The goal was to get people to look at what's happening in Sudan," McGovern said.
McGovern said that he had given speeches about the issue on the floor of the House of Representatives, but it was not garnering media attention.
"There is a sense of urgency now," McGovern said. "Food needs to be brought in before the rainy season, which begins in about six weeks. If it isn't brought in by then, hundreds of thousands of people could die."
McGovern said protesting in front of the Sudanese embassy was supposed to tell the government that people, the U.S. Congress and others are watching. He hopes that the international pressure will push the government to at least allow food to get to the people in southern Sudan.
McGovern noted there is long-term concern for the country as well since as President Bashir has been indicted on war crimes.
"I hope he is eventually committed in an international court," McGovern said.
In order to help bring about long-term change, McGovern sponsored the Sudan Peace, Security, and Accountability Act of 2012 that would create an international strategy for ending serious human rights violations, promoting democratic reform, and establishing lasting peace in Sudan
The bill also calls for sanctions against the Sudan, but also countries like China and Russia that continue to support, either directly or indirectly, a government that kills its people.
To those who have said that McGovern should be focusing his efforts on more local issues, he responded that he can do both.
"You can care about what's happening halfway down the block and halfway around the world," McGovern said. "They're not mutually exclusive."
McGovern recalled that after the world learned about the Rwandan genocide many people said "if we'd only known, we would have done something."
"Hundreds of thousands of people will die if we don't do something," McGovern said. "The notion that we should turn a blind eye is an awful way to view our responsibilities as human beings."
Protesting and getting arrest was just one way McGovern tried to do something to prevent the immediate issue. He spent four hours in a cell after being arrested for crossing a police line and paid $100 fine.
"I wish we didn't need to take this action, but I think we did get people talking about this," McGovern said. "I told them I'd be back again and again and again until the government stops using food as a weapon and stops bombing their people."
Comments (9)
When a citizen contacts Congressman McGovern with an issue or question the citizen is not asked if she voted for Mr. McGovern. Short answer, yes, he represents all the people of his district.
This does not mean that he and each constituent will agree on every issue. Maybe some people feel Mr. McGovern should not stand up for a humanitarian cause. Maybe some feel he has neglected other duties. They should contact his office, check his public schedule, and/or peruse his website to see if he has been wasting the public's time or money. Suggestions or hints that this may be taking place, without any evidence, is unfair.
Watch C-span. When the House is in session, Congressman McGovern can often be seen not only participating in, but often conducting, the Democratic side of the debate. He is a leader, not a slacker.
Yes, this does indeed seem like a noble cause to pursue as well as somehow sanctioning China for their human rights issues. I merely question the methods used to draw attention to this.
Did McGovern visit these countries on his own dime? Did his arrest impede his duties in his job of representing the people?
I bet the people who elected McGovern feel that they are being represented very well through his arrest tactic. However, does he also need to consider representing ALL the people in his district--not just those who voted for him?
I think this is more a matter of opinion of what is classified as 'representation' as well as how US taxpayer funds should be spent from an ethical standpoint. I can see arguments for both sides.
I'll always vot for McGovern, as that lady once said about Manny Ramirez "Hese an amaysink guy".
And he drives conservatives nut's! like they're not already.
Bravo for Jim McGovern, he's spending time with the people in the area to learn what the issues are in what will be his district, gone to Afghanistan to talk to our troops and has represented the area well.
Regardless of party affiliation, I'd rather have one stand-up guy who cares about what issues are rather than 100's worried about lining their pockets, setting up their own health care and retirement while giving the shaft to the people they are supposed to represent.
Jim McGovern has served both his district and his country with honor and distinction. He is a tireless advocate for social justice and civil rights, and is a fine role model for our young people on appropriate civic engagement. Bravo, Congressman McGovern! Keep doing what you're doing!
Do you know nothing about Jim McGovern's record in Congress? He fights constantly for the disadvantaged, the unemployed, the most vulnerable in our society. Do you seriously believe that if he champions a humanitarian cause in the Sudan, he can't do anything else?
Don't concern yourself: we'll re-elect him. He's a great congressman.
Which is clearly the problem with this country...re-electing representatives simply on the letter that follows their last name. Great he's standing up for the people of Sudan. What about the 38+ million people at risk of hunger in The United States of America? What about the unemployed in The United States of America? What about the looming energy crisis, its impact on the floundering economy, and impact on the middle class in The United States of America?
You know, if we don't re-elect him, he'll have all the time he wants to go help in Sudan.
Also, it's be nice if he'd Represent US as opposed to focusing on a foreign country. But then, that's never been his interest:
http://www.wspentertainment.com/rr/2009/08/07/represent-us/