Kony issue comes to Milligan

By milliganstampede | April 9, 2012 at 2:30 pm | One comment | STUDENT LIFE

Video Credit: Fitz Harris

Photo Credit: Lindsey Campbell

By: Lindsey Campbell

The Invisible Children Organization showed its second film about Joseph Kony, African rebel leader accused of forcing children into war and slavery, during chapel Thursday, Apr. 5. Milligan students had mixed reactions to “Kony 2012: Part Two,” and the brief presentation from Invisible Children.

The film showed the inhumane conditions faced by the people of Uganda, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, and the Congo. It also focused on the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) led by Kony.

The film is part of a broader movement to put pressure on lawmakers to sign resolutions that would help stop Kony.

“Invisible Children started the Kony 2012 movement and is dedicated to bringing an end to violence that is being carried out by Joseph Kony and his rebels,” said Invisible Children volunteer Tessa Stadeli from the stage.

The film claims that the LRA has yet to be stopped because it is “highly mobile and well trained, this is why traditional means haven’t worked.”

Invisible Children started the Kony 2012 movement by making a film with that title, highlighting the devastation caused by Kony and his rebels. The first film, released one month ago on the Internet, has gotten much more attention than the organization anticipated.

The film drew praise and criticism and sparked controversy when critics accused the Invisible Children group of using the film to make money for itself instead of aiding victims in Africa.

“’Kony 2012’ is designed to take the viewers even deeper into the complexities of the conflict and what Invisible Children is doing to combat it and what the goals are to accomplish this year,” said Stadeli.

At the conclusion, students had the opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, and sign up to support the Kony 2012 movement. Freshman Walker Hale found the film and cause interesting.

“I had never watched the first one, but I’m going to now,” said Hale.  “I’m going get more information about what is going on. These war crimes need to be stopped.”

Some students, however, were overheard asking questions among themselves about the organization’s motives and how the money collected was being used.

Stadeli declined to comment after the presentation, and the Invisible Children organization did not reply to requests for comment.