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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 22, 2004)
Amnesty group raising awareness, funds for refugees University students are working to aid 1A million Sudanese people forced from their homes since 2003 BY AMANDA BOLSINGER NEWS REPORTER How much do most college stu dents spend in a day? Five dollars? Ten? Sometimes twenty? In many parts of the world, millions of peo ple are surviving on less than a dol lar a day, yet many Americans aren’t even aware of it, University Amnesty International volunteer Evan Cope, said. The University chapter of Amnesty International, a group committed to protecting human rights around the world, is work ing to raise money and awareness for refugees in Sudan, a country that has been suffering an internal crisis since February 2003. More than 50,000 people have been killed and at least 1.4 million have been forced from their homes by nomad militias, called Janjaweed, according to the Amnesty Interna tional Web site. “The attacks have been decimat ing,” said Dan Selvig, coordinator for the University Amnesty Internation al chapter. “Forty-seven percent of the villages have been burnt and de populated. A member of United Na tions called this the worst humanity crisis in the world.” Students are donating their time and money to Amnesty International i .. to help stop the crisis in Sudan and raise local awareness. The group has been asking students to fast today and donate the money they would have spent on food to relief in Sudan. “We go buy a pen for two dollars and don’t even think about it,” Cope said. “They live on just a dol lar a day. As a nation of power and wealth, we have a responsibility to care about others. “Anything you can contribute will save lives.” The group raised more than $1,000 in the first week of the drive. All money raised will go to refugee camps. The money will primarily be used to provide clean water, san itation, public health services and shelter. “Sanitation and clean water are huge issues,” Selvig said. “Anything that can prevent epidemics needs to be done.” Selvig said part of the problem is that public attention has been fo cused on the recent elections and many international affairs have been ignored. “We are a very internal country, concerned with what’s going on in our own borders,” Selvig said. “What’s going on outside is outside and doesn’t really get noticed.” SUDAN, page 6 Lauren Wimer | Senior photographer Gustavo Gutierrez, a world-renowned Catholic priest, meets with colleagues before speaking to nearly 600 people in the EMU Ballroom on Friday afternoon. Gutierrez devotes his time to uniting the poor and the Catholic Church. Father of Liberation Theology speaks of 'beautiful' unity effort World-renowned Peruvian Roman Catholic Priest Gustavo Gutierrez denounces oppression of the poor BY AMANDA BOLSINGER NEWS REPORTER A steady flow of people filled the EMU Ballroom Friday to hear world renowned speaker Gustavo Gutier rez, a Peruvian Roman Catholic priest who has been called the father of Lib eration Theology and one of the most influential men of the 20th century. Liberation Theology is a movement to bridge the gap between the poor and the Catholic Church. Gutierrez is a short man with a think Spanish accent, but his mes sage could not be any clearer or his goal any larger. “He has denounced the oppression against the poor as sinful and called for a commitment on part of all Catholics,” said Carlos Aguirre, the director of the Department of Latin American Studies. Gutierrez’s visit to the University was co-hosted by the Latin American department and the Newman Center. Father Dave Orique of the Newman Center was able to help arrange Gutierrez’s visit because both men are Dominican friars and know each other personally. “This is a great opportunity for the University because Oregon isn’t a place that he would normally come,” Orique said. GUTIERREZ, page 6 HEPRTITISRandBS Eueryone should be vaccinated against Hep II and B. It is even more critical for individuals with increased risk. That includes those with: • Liuer disease • History of SID’s • Multiple sex partners • lllork that exposes them to blood • Sex partners mho haue sex uiith men • Housemates who are Hep B carriers • Sex partners uuho are Hep B carriers Hepatitis 11 and B uaccine are auailable at the Health Center. Stop by the Front Desk Non-Fri. 5:00-4:00 If you are 10 years old or older with any of these risk factors, you may qualify for Hep. Uaccine at reduced cost. university OF OREGON http://healthcenter.uoregon.edu • appointments: 346-2770
