An unusual gathering at Belmont University featured the ambassador of Sudan, more than 300 students who came to express their anger at genocide in that East African country, and a professor who led a walkout in protest. … Many in the crowd — including one student refugee from the Sudan — accused the government of supporting atrocities such as murder and rape and what former Secretary of State Colin Powell has called “genocide.” – From The Tennessean.
The Tennessean’s story continues: Sophomore Amr Ali said his family escaped Sudan after the government harassed his mother and beat his father. He told the crowd he was proud that he would soon be an American citizen. But he told Sudanese Ambassador Abdel Bagi Kabeir that he would not forget his native country.
“I want you to look at me,” the 19-year-old told the ambassador. “This is the future. The people that you have oppressed, the people that your government has kicked out of the country will go back. We will make the country greater than it has ever been since you have raped it since 1989.” Ali received a loud ovation for his statements.
You can read the whole story at The Tennessean website.
Here are some photos of the event, taken by university staff photographer Michael Krouskop:
Belmont University student and soccer player Amr Ali, a Sudanese refugee, talks about the persecution his family suffered at the hands of the government of Sudan.
A Sudanese refugee from Nashville talks about the genocide in Sudan, while Sudan’s envoy to the United States, Ambassador Abdel Bagi Kabeir, listens. Pictured, from left: Three Sudanese refugees, a survivor of the mid-1990s genocide in Rwanda, Kabeir, Ali, and (partially hidden), Todd Lake, Belmont University’s vice president for spiritual development.
