Seeks support
for ‘Kony’
campaign
Staff
Fort High student Dexter Fichuk, head of the Fort Frances Mob(ilizers) group there, is planning a “Cover the Night” event here April 20, where people will put up posters, stickers, and signs of Joseph Kony in cities across the world.
“We should be part of it,” Fichuk stressed. “When everyone knows [Kony’s] name and what he has done, then justice will be demanded.”
A recently-released 30-minute film entitled “Kony 2012,” that has hit more than 76,000,00 views on YouTube in just one week, is a campaign by Invisible Children that aims to make Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony famous.
Not to celebrate him—but to raise support for his arrest and set a precedent for international justice.
The film and campaign have drawn criticism regarding its accuracy, tactics, and the organization’s spending practices.
“It’s an awareness campaign,” Fichuk explained. “And I think it’s good because, although it’s not raising money, it shows that people can help shape the way their government goes without having to spend money.
“It’s just joining together.”
Fichuk also sees the campaign and the “Cover the Night” event as a way to bring the local community together.
“I hope to have a lot of support,” he said, noting there are close to 300 people on the event page on Facebook.
“There are many people who are behind the idea,” he added.
While he hasn’t finalized all the details yet for the “Cover the Night” event here, Fichuk plans to have posters printed for people to help post that night.
He said copies can be purchased online.
There also are free “Kony 2012” posters available, as well, so people can print and bring their own.
“I’m just trying to keep the energy up and going,” Fichuk reasoned.
“I’ve discussed it with a lot of people and tried to give people more insight on the issue.”
Fichuk would like to see the event and Facebook group as something bigger than the “Kony 2012” campaign.
“What I’m thinking is we won’t just make it about Joseph Kony,” he explained. “Why not discuss some issues in our town, some global issues that affect us here?
“We could raise awareness about those and maybe find ways to make our town a bit better of a place.
“I hoping to make it into something like that,” he remarked.
The film and information about the campaign can be found at www.invisiblechildren.com
There is a Facebook group for the event that can be found by searching “Kony 2012-Fort Frances.”
Those looking for more information about the event also can contact Fichuk at dexterfichuk@gmail.com
