May 23, 2012 (QOL) San Diego, California: Part two of Walk to End the Genocide campaign was held on May 20, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. The first part of this event was previously held in San Diego on April 22, 2012 and was attended by Ogaden Youth & Student Union of California. The purpose of the event was to raise awareness, to advocate, and to educate about the horrors of genocide around the world.

OYSU and the Ogaden American Community of San Diego were once again invited to attend the second part of the campaign. Let by the coordinator of the Ogaden American Communities of West Coast Mr. Ahmed Ali Yusuf, the chairman of Ogaden American Community of San Diego Mr. Ibrahim Abdulqadir and the president of OYSU California Ms Hudo Ahmed.

The event had about 3,000 attendees and over 35 organizations including human rights organizations, humanitarian aid agencies and NGO’s.

Among the attendees were actor/film director/writer Josh Rodnor known as Ted on the popular, Emmy Award-winning CBS sitcom How I met Your Mother, and the world famous actor/producer/philanthropist/author Don Cheadle. Who is a four time academy award nominee, Mr. Cheadle starred on many films but was most recognized in his lead role as Rwandan hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina in the genocide drama film Hotel Rwanda. He also campaigned for the end of genocide in Darfur, Sudan, and co-authored a book concerning the issue titled Not On Our Watch: The Mission to End Genocide in Darfur and Beyond.

OYSU had the opportunity to share with these gentlemen the hidden genocide and the plight of the people in the Ogaden region. Both men promised that they will do anything in their power to shed light to raise awareness about the hidden genocide in the Ogaden.

The group also met with documentary film producers Jermy & Jermy who promised to produce a documentary film depicting the horrors of the genocide in the Ogaden.

Walk to end the genocide together with OYSU hope to take one step closer to a world without genocide.

OYSU California continues to raise awareness about the genocide in the Ogaden region throughout California colleges and Universities. Please join them as they urge the US government as well as the international community to investigate crimes against the civilians of the Ogaden by the Ethiopian military and to hold the Addis Ababa regime accountable.

By Abdirahman Hollywood
Qorahay Media
San Diego, CA USA
qorahay99@yahoo.com