June 2 Rally at Nigeria House, NYC by The Interfaith Religious Leaders of African Ancestry to Save the Children of Nigeria

Do you know there is a Brooklyn College TV?  I had a vague idea, but since I'm not much of a TV person, I never really consumed any of the products of that fine establishment.  However, I am happy to say that Tiy Hampton's coverage of some of my #BringBackOurGirlsNYC activism has almost made a convert out of me.  Tiy Hampton is a student in the TV Broadcasting program at Brooklyn College.  She was at the rally organized by The Interfaith Religious Leaders of African Ancestry to Save the Children of Nigeria at Nigeria House 828 Second Avenue at East 44th Street, NYC on June 2, 2014.  Here is a clip of her coverage: bring back our girls.  For more of her work, see Tiy Hampton's wordpress page.

Here below is the press release by the rally organizers: The Interfaith Religious Leaders of African Ancestry to Save the Children of Nigeria. Kudos to Rev. Dr. Herbert Daughtry and the other members of the group, which includes but is not limited to:  Bishop Orlando Findlayter, Dr. Karen S. Daughtry, Rev. Dr. Robert Waterman, Archbishop Dr. Joseph A. Alexander, Bishop Jr. Jonathan Owhe, Rev. Dr. Allen Martin, Dr. Joseph Chucku, Bishop Dr. Julius Abiola, Rev. Bruce Grodner, Dr. Babajide Olagbaiye, Bishop Lubin Moise, Dr. Emeka Nwigwe, Dr. Enobong Branch, Rev. Sunday Igbinosa, Rev. Allen Hand, Rev. James Osei-Kofi, Rev. Johnson Olatunde, Chaplain Loretta Hand, Zahara Cato, Rev. Dalton Bolden, Rabbi Eliyahu Ras Yehudah, Imam Al-Hajj Talib Abdur-Rashid and Motasim Adam.

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT:

Rev. Dr. Herbert Daughtry

(718) 5961991

Brooklyn, NY May 31, 2014.  Over 40 days ago, the terrorist group, Boko Haram abducted more than 300 girls from a boarding school in the Northeastern Nigerian town of Chibok.  Thus far, approximately 56 girls have escaped but majority are still in captivity.  Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is an abomination” has targeted schools, churches, mosques, marketplaces, bus terminals and other public spaces in its terror campaign.  It has killed more than 1,500 people this year.  The insurgent group wants to impose its own distorted version of Islam on Nigeria through the use of terror.  In a video circulated by Associated Press, Boko Haram leader, Ibrahim Shekau has threatened to sell the girls into slavery if President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria does not free detained Boko Haram members. There is no indication that the Federal Government of Nigeria will comply.

Boko Haram has staged many attacks in Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt of the country over the years, using bombings, massacres and wanton destruction of life and property to promote its reign of terror.  A state of emergency has been declared in three Northeastern Nigerian states wracked by Boko Haram violence.  However, heavy military presence has not prevented the escalation and deadliness of Boko Haram inflicted violence.  

Approximately half of Nigeria’s 170 million population is Christian.  On Christmas Eve in 2010, bombs allegedly planted by Boko Haram exploded in Jos, killing as many as 80 people.  More than 300 people have been killed in assaults on Northeastern Nigerian towns and villages in recent weeks.  Boko Haram is also blamed for an attack on a Chinese camp in neighboring Cameroon, where on Cameroonian soldier was killed and 10 Chinese workers abducted.  Many of the victims of Boko Haram terror attacks are Muslims, the most prominent being the Emir of Gwoza who was assassinated by Boko Haram on May 30, 2014. 

Boko Haram has destroyed infrastructure, including a strategic bridge linking the town of Gamboru to Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.  It also attacked the main market, where at least 50 bodies have since been discovered in the debris of burned shops.  The overall death toll ranges from an estimated 100 to 300. 

Boko Haram must be apprehended and brought to justice.  We applaud the world’s response and the governments that have contributed assistance to Nigeria, including the United States of America.   However, this is a long-term struggle to stamp out Boko Haram induced social deprivation, denial of religious freedom and its constant threat to peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.  Boko Haram has demonstrated that it has the will to impose its sinister agenda on Nigeria and neighboring countries. 

We the Interfaith Religious Leaders of African Ancestry to Save the Children of Nigeria condemn Boko Haram’s destructive and violent acts as repugnant, nefarious and reprehensible.  We will never let evil win over good. We will continue our protest until Boko Haram is brought to justice. Further, we decry, abhor, detest, condemn, denounce and protest the evil campaign of terror by Boko Haram. We call upon the United Nations, United States, African Union and the Federal Government of Nigeria to join us and do the same. 

We ask that all people of good conscience join us in our June 2, 2014 rally at 12 noon in front of the United Nations.

The Interfaith Religious Leaders of African Ancestry to Save the Children of Nigeria, New York, USA

Inspired by their steadfast stand, I have joined the Interfaith Religious Leaders of African Ancestry to Save the Children of Nigeria.  The group has held a daily prayer vigil at the UN for the past month.  The vigils are now twice a week. However, I have not been able to participate in this admirable action that is worth emulating.