Ugandan "Night Commuters" and the 2005 Gulu Walk

October 17, 2005 7:19 AM

Gulu Walk. Every night, up to 40,000 Ugandan children "commute" by foot into city-centres so that they may sleep on the street, or in hospitals, churches and aid centres. They are sent by their parents in an attempt to escape the Lord’s Resistance Army, the armed militia in a civil war that has for years been stealing kids from their homes, turning them into soldiers, servants and sex-slaves. On October 22nd, raise awareness by marching in a Gulu Walk, in 41 cities from Halifax to San Diego to Serbia to Gulu itself. Learn more via photo essays [BBC/LA Times/indie], a radio documentary, and videos. [previously on MeFi] Please spread the word.
posted by Marquis (13 comments total)

A wonderful movement and a great post. It's interesting that this is scheduled for Stop Police Brutality Day, certainly the issues are connected at least morally..
posted by By The Grace of God at 7:36 AM on October 17, 2005

Wow, amazing links...I had no idea.
posted by Alison at 7:47 AM on October 17, 2005

I just read an article regarding the Gulu Walk in the Toronto Star this weekend. It broke my heart into a million pieces..thanks for posting this.
posted by Escribitionist at 9:07 AM on October 17, 2005

This would get my vote for intervention.
posted by Smedleyman at 10:11 AM on October 17, 2005

I hadn't heard about the walks taking place here, thanks for the heads-up. Will have to try to participate or donate.
posted by livii at 10:24 AM on October 17, 2005

I'm glad I could bring this to peoples' attention. If you're in a city with an organised walk, please, seriously, just go. One of the things I like about the event on the 22nd is that they realise it's not (yet) a very high-profile cause and so the point is to raise the profile. They're not trying to collect a bit of money (although donations are welcome): they're trying to get people out on their feet, - rich and poor, - showing by their numbers the significance of the issue, and hopefully raising awareness so that it will ultimately be possible to solve and not just alleviate the problem.

In short - please, if this resonates with you, just spend a couple hours this weekend and go!
posted by Marquis at 10:44 AM on October 17, 2005

I'm up for the NY walk, if anyone wants to join me. email me and we'll coordinate.
posted by amberglow at 10:47 AM on October 17, 2005

So does Uganda have oil? If so, I say we liberate them at once and bring them the sweet deliverance of democracy! Won't someone think of the children?
posted by nlindstrom at 10:49 AM on October 17, 2005

A worthy post. Thank you.
posted by peacay at 10:52 AM on October 17, 2005

Thanks for the this, am glad to know.

Marching in a Gula walk
posted by fluffycreature at 11:31 AM on October 17, 2005

Thanks
*clears calender for October 22, 2005*
posted by Smedleyman at 4:33 PM on October 17, 2005

Just got in from the Toronto walk. 2 hours in rain not much above freezing. Somewhat appropriate to the cause... doing that twice a day every day as a 10 year old would pretty much mess up any chance of having a reasonable life.

Lots of people asking 'what's going on?', lots of camerapeople. BBC World news interviewed the organizer. I think it's raising the profile.
posted by anthill at 5:08 PM on October 22, 2005

Thank you all for supporting the people of Northern Uganda.

At http://www.ugpulse.com we are gathering photographs of the walks from around the world that a lot of people are sending in.

Please do not forget us.

from a Gulu Walk participant in Washington, DC
posted by ugpulse at 7:11 PM on October 23, 2005