Congressman John Lewis Arrested in Protest
April 28, 2009
On Monday, April 27, eight people, including five members of the House of Representatives, were arrested for demonstrating outside of the Sudanese embassy in Washington, D.C. John Lewis (D-Ga), a leader of the civil rights movement, was one of those arrested. After his arrest he remarked, "I don't understand how the world can just stand by and watch the slaughter of innocent victims in Darfur. Haven't we learned the hard lessons of Rwanda and Bosnia, of the Holocaust?" All of those arrested were fined $100 and released. For more information on this story, read coverage in the New York Times and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Discussion Questions:
- After his arrest, John Lewis remarked, "I don't understand how the world can just stand by and watch the slaughter of innocent victims in Darfur. Haven't we learned the hard lessons of Rwanda and Bosnia, of the Holocaust?" How would you respond to Rep. Lewis' question?
- Rep. Lewis is also quoted as saying, "It is important to send a message not only to the people in this country and our own government, but to the people of the world that the genocide in Darfur must end." What message did Lewis, and others, send by getting arrested in front of Sudan's embassy? What are other ways that individuals and groups can send a message that the genocide in Darfur must end?
- John Lewis has always been an advocate of nonviolence as a protest method and strategy. How have nonviolent methods been used to protest against the genocide in Darfur? To what extent have they been effective? Under what conditions, if any, should violent methods be used to stop or prevent genocide?
