The People's Petition to #bringbackourgirls
My friend Meltem and I have been following the story of the 276 abducted Nigerian school girls on social media. The girls were taken by force because they were getting an education. The girls were taken by armed militia men who are extremely violent and unstable and mean them harm.
We wanted to do something. We hoped to engage everyday people in this movement, our friends and family and their friends too. We hope that by signing and sharing this petition and creating conversations in our communities on and off line that we, THE PEOPLE, are sending a message to the mothers and fathers, grandparents, sisters and brothers, and most of all the GIRLS of Nigeria that the people of the world are watching and we care, even if we don't know what to do.
Critics and media experts say that there would not even be an effort to find the girls at all if it were not for social media, petitions like this one, and organized protests on the ground. Protest marches and demonstrations are continually being held in major Nigerian cities, as well as around the world. It has been 5 weeks since the girls were violently taken, some have died, others are sick, a few escaped and families are still waiting for word. WE are waiting for word.
So sharing this everywhere is important! We MUST keep the pressure on.
OUR MESSAGE TO LEADERS AND DECISION MAKERS:
We, THE PEOPLE, insist that the international community of nation-states, non-profit organizations, social justice and religious leaders pool their financial and intellectual resources on this issue and answer the distress call of parents and the community to #bringbackourgirls.
We ask that you respond NOW by immediately updating the world on the situation, and also set up a regional task force to offer assistance to local authorities, families and community organizations in the investigation, recovery, AND prosecution efforts. As well the task force would oversee the mobilization of tangible support to parents and loved ones of food, shelter, counselling and/or medical attention, spiritual guidance as needed.
We ask that you do this work keeping the Nigerian people's dignity and democracy in tact. The mission is simple: #bringbackourgirls, NOW.
THEN begin the arduous process of creating an international body that can respond to these situations and get results IN THE FUTURE. This is NOT an isolated incident. Women and girls, boys as well are being subjected to these levels of violence and terror in every country of the world.
#endviolence #bringbackALLgirls
To you, the person reading this, we thank you for signing AND we ask you to share AND encourage networks and friends to sign and share. Everyday until they are home. Those girls are our girls too. LET'S GET THEM HOME!
Thank you for taking the time to care, and to share.