Protests continue at Sudan Embassy

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Hundreds of demonstrators called for an end to government-sponsored genocide in western Sudan's Darfur region during a march yesterday in front of the Sudanese Embassy.

Secret Service agents stood guard at the entrance of the embassy as more than 200 people participating in a "Day of Action" marched along the 2200 block of Massachusetts Avenue NW chanting "Stop the killing, stop the killing now" and "Hey, hey, you can't hide -- we charge you with genocide." Some carried signs with slogans such as "Read My Lips -- It's Genocide" and "Slavery+Genocide = Sudan."

The demonstrators are seeking to bring attention to atrocities taking place in Sudan, where militias called the Janjaweed are being blamed by the United Nations and human rights organizations for the deaths of 50,000 people and the displacement of 1 million.

On July 30, the U.N. Security Council gave the Sudanese government 30 days to stop the bloodshed.

"This is our moment, and we must seize the moment. We must continue to [apply] pressure on the Sudan government. Changes are not made unless there's passion," said activist and actor Danny Glover, who addressed the crowd before he and other demonstrators were arrested for unlawful assembly on the steps of the embassy.

"We're going to keep marching -- our power lies in that," Mr. Glover said.

Ambassador Khidir Haroun Ahmed said protesters have a right to demonstrate, but that they do not understand that his government is working to stop the killings in Darfur.

"We think most of the people have good intentions. They are sincere, noble, but they are also misinformed about the situation," Mr. Ahmed said.

Radio talk-show host Joe Madison said such protests would continue to draw attention to the crisis in Sudan.

"We have demonstrated every day since June 29, and will continue to demonstrate," Mr. Madison said.