Earlier this month, several leading Darfur advocacy organizations, including Save Darfur, Genocide Intervention Network and ENOUGH Project, released a statement calling on world leaders to boycott the Olympic Opening Ceremonies in Beijing unless UNAMID is effectively protecting civilians in Darfur before the ceremonies begin. "Beijing should not be allowed to bask in the warm glow of peace and brotherhood associated with the opening games if China is still underwriting atrocities in Darfur and still has not done what it should to bring peace and security to Sudan," the statement reads.  

Since the release of this statement on April 3, all three presidential candidates, have publicly called on President Bush to not attend the Olympic Ceremonies, making the following statements:  

Senator Clinton: "The violent clashes in Tibet and the failure of the Chinese government to use its full leverage with Sudan to stop the genocide in Darfur are opportunities for presidential leadership. . . At this time, and in light of recent events, I believe President Bush should not plan on attending the opening ceremonies in Beijing, absent major changes by the Chinese government. "  

Senator McCain: "If Chinese policies and practices do not change, I would not attend the opening ceremonies . . . It does no service to the Chinese government, and certainly no service to the people of China, for the United States and other democracies to pretend that the suppression of rights in China does not concern us. It does, will and must concern us."

Senator Obama: "If the Chinese do not take steps to help stop the genocide in Darfur and to respect the dignity, security and human rights of the Tibetan people, then the president should boycott the opening ceremonies."

The candidates have made their statements, will you make yours? Ask President Bush to boycott the Opening Ceremonies in Beijing unless China does more to end the genocide in Darfur. Call 1-800-GENOCIDE and choose to be connected to the White House.