Cleanup, signs heighten awareness of Darfur

On Saturday morning, May 19, students from J.P. Stevens High School, Edison, East Brunswick High School and members of the East Brunswick organization Community on Conscience-NJ cleaned up Summerhill Road in East Brunswick. We used the opportunity of our spring cleanup to raise awareness about the ongoing crimes against humanity in Darfur, Sudan.

In May the United States was the chair of the United Nations Security Council. To take advantage of the U.S. position, we created a banner, "Promote Peace. Protect Victims. SaveDarfur.org," and signed it with red handprints. The banner supports our position that the United States must take a leadership role in mobilizing the international community to push for U.N. peacekeepers in Darfur.

The banner was mailed to Africa Action in Washington, D.C. When its members lobby Congress, they will present the banner to our New Jersey lawmakers, letting them know the opinion of students and concerned adults from East Brunswick and Edison.

Soon you will see a sign on Summerhill Road, "Adopt-A-Road, Community on Conscience-NJ." By adopting Summerhill Road, we demonstrate that as concerned community members we can work both locally and globally at the same time.

Leslie B. Klein

East Brunswick