Anti-Kony campaign: US lawmakers introduce resolution (VIDEO)
Reps. Jim McGovern and Ed Royce introduced a resolution to the House on March 13, 2012, spotlighting the atrocities of Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army and encouraging further efforts to counter the LRA. A controversial campaign by the non-profit Invisible Children went viral in the weeks preceding the introduction of this resolution.
Reps. Jim McGovern and Ed Royce introduced a resolution "spotlighting the atrocities of Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army and supporting U.S. efforts to counter the LRA," on Tuesday, according to Politico.
The issue has received national attention in the past week since the activist group Invisible Children's video campaign "Kony 2012" went viral. The video caught a lot of criticism for over-simplifying the conflict and for a colonialist attitude, as well as encouraging "slactivism," the idea that clicking on a video or buying a bracelet could solve a comp.
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However, it seems that despite the criticism, the attention prompted McGovern, who co-chairs the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, to put forward the resolution. He said, "I am hopeful that we can use this momentum as a force for change. We must do all that we can to protect innocent civilians — especially children — and end LRA violence once and for all. We made important strides with our legislation in the last Congress, but our work must continue," according to Politico.
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CBS News said the new resolution calls for expanding the size of regional forces charged with protecting civilians and pursuing commanders of the LRA. It also calls for placing restriction on individuals or governments found to be supporting Kony.
CBS News also noted that Royce and McGovern introduced the Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act in the House during the last session of Congress. President Obama then sent 100 US troops to Central Africa to serve as advisers in the hunt for Kony.
The Guardian reported that despite the controversy its viral campaign has attracted Invisible Children is planning a massive day of action next month called Cover the Night, during which supporters will take take part in activities calling for Kony to be caught.
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Invisible Children's CEO also released a video thanking supporters and answering some of the criticisms aimed at the viral campaign:
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