Representatives from the activist group Invisible Children visited Ohio University Sunday night not only to spur discussion about injustice in Uganda but also to raise awareness about an upcoming global event.
An advocacy group that attempts to shed light on the use of children soldiers in Uganda, Invisible Children released a “Kony 2012” campaign video that went viral more than a month ago.
The video sought to bring attention to the child soldiers serving in the Lord’s Resistance Army led by Joseph Kony. The International Criminal Court has indicted Kony for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The army travels between South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.
In addition to the viral campaign video, about 30 students in attendance also viewed a film entitled Beyond Famous, which promoted a Friday event titled Cover the Night.
Students from OU’s Invisible Children chapter will spearhead an effort to cover the city in posters and stickers, drawing attention toward the group’s ultimate goal: Kony’s arrest.
Among the Invisible Children representatives from the Great Lakes Region was Richard Olunya, a 29-year-old North Ugandan who personally experienced what he called “the devastation” from the Lord’s Resistance Army.
Despite the efforts of March’s Internet campaign, many did not know who Joseph Kony was until the video hit social-media sites, said Jessica Pettis, a sophomore studying retail merchandising.
“I originally saw the video in March on Facebook,” Pettis said. “I think this video was great in drawing attention to this issue.”
Criticism revolving around the Kony 2012 campaign usually involves individuals questing the nature of the video, said Krista Mobley, the president of OU’s Invisible Children chapter.
“I’ve heard a lot of things about this campaign like war is being oversimplified or that the organization is not well informed about the issues that are occurring over in Uganda,” she said. “There are different perspectives, but essentially, there is a unanimous idea that this issue needs to be handled in some way.”
Friday’s event aims to raise awareness in a more proactive manner, and several OU groups, including Alpha Phi Omega, are planning to attend, said Cody Romani, a sophomore studying restaurant, hotel and tourism management.
“The video got the word out, and (now this video) will get the point across,” Romani said.
hy135010@ohiou.edu
