Lobbying For Uganda
(Mariana Blanco, Invisible Children’s filmmaker and editor, joined 1,000 young Americans to lobby Congress on the crisis in Northern Uganda.)
I had never been to lobby in DC before, and now that its been a few weeks, the best way I can describe the Northern Uganda Lobby Days is in familiar terms–it was like a film, I think Rocky: Day one was the training montage; day two the fight on Capitol Hill, the fight to get our voice heard. I am a filmmaker for Invisible Children, and the world on Capitol Hill always struck me as cryptic and intimidating; but for two days at the end of March, I met person after person, sincerely excited to be involved in our effort.
Let’s skip to action. On day two, 800 individuals met with more than 200 staffers and Congressmen, making it one of the largest lobbying groups for Africa. I started the day surrounded by mostly young students in suits, practicing their speeches. There was urgency in the air – the LRA and the Ugandan government had made significant steps toward peace just days before. The day suddenly became weighted and relevant.
It was my job to stay near the action.
I filmed Pete Wentz discuss his trip to northern Uganda, as well as students who had traveled to the area last summer. They are part of Invisible Children’s Schools for Schools program, and I am currently working on a documentary to tell their powerful story. These students have raised over three million dollars to rebuild schools in northern Uganda, and coming to DC is a big part of their activism. From behind the camera, I couldn’t help but notice the beginning of change, not only for our friends a world away, but also for us.
People may misperceive what our country is about, but I see a generation of idealists, working together to fight for freedom and justice. Hopefully, when the larger story is told, America will be about the little people – young and old, famous and shy – doing something great: giving opportunity to those in need.
-Mariana Blanco
Photos
-Mariana Blanco, fourth from left, with Schools for Schools students in front of the White House. This program has raised more than $3 million in one year for war-torn schools in northern Uganda.
-Mariana Blanco filming two students involved with Invisible Children at the U.S. Capital. She is currently working on a documentary film that tells their story.
-Pete Wentz, bassist from Fall Out Boy, has been involved with Invisible Children for over a year. He joined 800 people in Washington, DC to lobby for peace in northern Uganda.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jessica Fairchild Conrad
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March 14, 2008 at 7:58 pm
GREAT article…I was there representing Valencia High School from California. Mariana wrote a great summary of what it was like to offer our voices to the Ugandans that need it. It was fantastic to see how great America is, that we have a system where we can approach our government and ask for help (and not get punished for it). Here’s to sustainable peace in Uganda (and in all the world where true injustice exists).
-Sam Neylan
March 16, 2008 at 9:57 pm
I had the privilege of getting to know mariana over the last few months. She is honestly one of the most talented people i know, and i am so glad she was able to tell her story of lobby days. Most the time you see Mariana, she is behind the lens, but when she does speak up, she has more knowledge and insight on this situation than anyone i know. She, more than anyone, has really made her voice heard for those thousands of miles away, both in her action on capital hill as well as through her films that thousands have seen!
Lobby days were incredible, and it is amazing to see this generation so involved. It was clear that our voices are louder than we think, and our impact is reaching father than our classrooms and communities! This generation will change the world, i believe that!
March 17, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Hey! You run one fantastic campaign! I just added your widget to my blog. I’ll be going to Uganda this summer with the Invisible Children Teacher Exchange program. IC is a great organization that does a tremendous job getting the word out about the plight of those individuals in Northern Ugnada who have been affected by the civil war. The peace process has come a long way in the last several months, and it is great to see that the ONE Campaign has taken note of and promoted their great efforts! Keep up the fantastic work!
March 17, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Sorry for the shameless plug, but feel free to check out my blog updating my journey’s to Uganda. (http://ugandamatt.blogspot.com)
March 19, 2008 at 2:04 am
mariana, matt, jane, sam . . . . what an amazing work and community you’ve got here, and a tremendous influence you surely had on capitol hill. 800 of you. Lord have mercy!
i had the blessing of spending some time with scott cummins here at seattle ONE last night, he was in dc with you all and represents this invisable children program well, the amazing things done with the harnessing of you youth and educators for the good of the ugandans we are lobbying for. keep up the great great work and keep us in ONE abreast of your studies and travels, teaching exchange experiences, and more.
so very proud of each of you. yes, the peace process has come a long way matt, thanx to great ambassadors like you and your students.
stay close,
sammi in seattle