Darfur Awareness Event Dec. 21, 2006, on Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Conn., to Raise Awareness of the Atrocities Taking Place in Darfur

Text of speech delivered by Laura Zimmerman, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Connecticut, and a member of the steering committee of the Connecticut Coalition to Save Darfur

Good morning and thank you all for taking your time to be here, to get this story out, to educate and bring attention to this atrocity that is happening in Darfur on our watch.

Genocide — the systematic killing of all the people from a national, ethnic or religious group, or an attempt to do this.

Genocide — a word all too familiar to Jews around the world.

Genocide — a word once again rearing its ugly head.

How can that be? Have we yet to learn anything? The world has said NEVER AGAIN. NEVER AGAIN.

NEVER AGAIN is Now!

As Jews, we are told the stories, shown the pictures, taught of the honors from an early age. Many of us are children of survivors; many have grown up with parents who have numbers tattooed on their forearms as constant reminders of the devastation of our people. Six million Jews — one of every three. Six million others.

The world made a commitment not to let it happen again. Genocide can not be tolerated in any place at any time!

The mass murder of Jews began with the Nazi invasion of Russia on June 22, 1941. The Wehrmacht combat units were accompanied by SS death squads, whose mission was the immediate and total liquidation of Jews and others. German police and army units took part in these murders. Although the Nazi rise to power was perceived by the world with concern, nothing was done.

The Holocaust never became a first priority on any agenda ...

Today, we can easily substitute SS death squads for Janjaweed, Jews for Darfurians and the 1940’s for 2006. Today, we are seeing another destruction of a civilization. They are being raped, displaced and killed and they don’t know why. This is unacceptable! We must make this a priority!

The Connecticut Coalition to Save Darfur is instrumental in getting the word out. You are part of that. Let the Darfurian people know they are not abandoned. We must be engaged! Spread the word, push beyond your circles to others. There is no replacement for old fashioned letter writing to relevant officials; for a public outcry.

The Jewish people are currently in the middle of celebrating Hanukkah – a holiday which has its roots in the suppression of one group by another. During Hanukkah, there is a tradition of lighting a separate hanukkiah or candelabra for each member of the household. This practice is based on the recognition of the value of each and every human being. Together, may we strive to ensure that this recognition of human value is recognized and realized for all people.

Deuteronomy says “take heed, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen, and ... teach them to your children and to your children’s children.”

Eli Wiesel said “the perils of indifference enable killers to kill and tormentors to torment. We can not stand idly by, or all our endeavors will be unworthy. We must act. We must speak out for the voiceless victims of Sudan.

What will you say when your grandchildren ask — where were you during the Genocide in Darfur? Thank you for your voice!