URGENT: Support our Abducted Nigerian Girls from Chibok

234 girls were abducted in Chibok, Borno State, Nigeria by Boko Haram on April 14, 2014. It's heartbreaking, tragic, and unacceptable that most of them are yet to be found.  It is also unacceptable that we don't even have an accurate number of girls that were originally missing, those that were able to escape, and those yet to be found. There are alarming rumors about what may have happened to them. Nigerian security forces have not demonstrated that they're up to the task of challenging Boko Haram and ending this unacceptable situation. Human security is at stake in Nigeria.  In order to begin to inspire the confidence of its people, the Nigerian government needs to focus on this situation and must not relax until it brings the girls back to their families.

While this situation is extremely painful and will remain so until all the girls are returned to their families, I am very proud of Nigerian women who have mobilized, those who marched in Abuja, who plan to march in Lagos on Monday, May 5th, in New York City today and on Saturday, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and other locations.  Bringbackourgirls has been wonderful at providing up to date information.  Please consult their facebook page.

I applaud as well as support the efforts of many Nigerian women groups, including WOMEN FOR PEACE & JUSTICE, NASFAT women's branch, Baobab for Women's Human Rights, Centre for Women's Health & Information (CEWHIN), and other Nigerians who are protesting and actively mobilizing on the ground in Nigeria.  I wish I could join them in person.  I will personally wear a red top on Monday and encourage all my friends and colleagues to do so in solidarity. I am also praying but I am convinced that God requires us all to act and speak out strongly against this atrocity as well as the continued terrorization of ordinary people in such a routine manner.

As a mother, my heart goes out to the parents, siblings and other family members of the abducted girls and I won't be at peace until they're found and brought back home, I urge everyone to join and support these laudable efforts. 

I don't claim comprehensive knowledge about efforts on the ground and apologize for not mentioning everyone that's been working hard to keep this mater alive.  I applaud the twitter efforts of #Bringbackourgirls.  Oby Ezekwesili has been very active on twitter and is to be commended.  Her twitter handle is: oby ezekwesili ‏@obyezeks I've done some re-tweeting and will do more.  I urge everyone on twitter to do the same.

 People in NYC, please come out and join these rallies. 

NEW YORK: Join the NYC rallies Friday and Saturday!

Friday, May 2 2014.
12 noon -2pm
Ralph Bunche Park, 1st Avenue between East 42nd & 43rd Streets

Wear Red!

and

Saturday, May 3rd
12p -2pm
Union Square, Manhattan NY
corner of E 14th st and University place
Wear red and head wrap.
Join us for a rally to raise awareness.
Make sure to wear red! #bringbackourgirls

I thank Ayesha Imam for making me aware of these demonstrations.