RWANDA:PEACEFUL PROTEST AGAINST KAGAME IN CHICAGO

Peaceful Protest Against Kagame in Chicago

Dr. Theogene Rudasingwa for Salem-News.com

Rwandan, Africans and Americans to protest presence of Pres. Kagame of Rwanda; a war criminal & corrupt dictator

President Paul Kagame

(CHICAGO) - Rwandans will be joined by hundreds of other Africans and American citizens to protest the presence of President Kagame of Rwanda, war criminal and corrupt dictator, in Chicago on June 11, 2011.

President Kagame is responsible for millions of deaths of Rwandans and Congolese citizens, in what the United Nations Human Rights Commission, in its report of 1 October, 2010, described as war crimes, crimes against humanity and even possible acts of genocide.

Human Rights Watch published a report on May 31, 2011, that says in Rwanda justice has been compromised, and that flaws in trials have lead to miscarriages of justice. Amnesty International, in its June 3, 2011, report, says "freedom of expression in Rwanda has been unduly restricted for many years. The months leading up to the August 2010 presidential elections were marked by a clampdown on freedom of expression, which still shows no sign of abating"

President Kagame is in crisis, as he drives the country that has suffered genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity further into the direction of civil war and more bloodshed. Currently he has jailed political opposition leaders, closed political space, banned independent media, and pursues Rwandans abroad to assassinate them. London Police in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2011, warned Rwandans that "reliable intelligence states that the Rwandan government poses an imminent threat to your life" . The same threat has now been exported to Chicago in the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa and wherever Rwandans reside. The United States and United Kingdom governments have been, and remain, leading supporters of the current Rwanda Government, but are beginning to have second thoughts.

Rwandans, Congolese , Burundians, other Africans and their American friends will be protesting in Chicago on June 11, 2011, 10 am-6 pm, to call for an immediate end to President Kagame's war crimes and impunity, and asking the international community to bring him to account for the crimes he has committed. The protesters will also be asking the international community, especially the United States and the United Kingdom, to support Rwandans searching for the permanent resolution to the current Rwandan refugee crisis; an end to chronic violent conflict and prevention of more bloodshed in Rwanda and the Great Lakes region of east and central Africa; support for human rights protection, dialogue, freedom, equal justice, democracy, and equitable prosperity; and, reconciliation and healing among many millions of Rwandans and their neighbors who have been subjected to untold suffering for so long.

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Theogene Rudasingwa, M.D., serves as vice-president for Global Affairs and Programs of Pangaea Global AIDS Foundation. Prior to coming to the United States, Dr. Rudasingwa was chief of staff for the Office of the President of the Republic of Rwanda (2000-04). During this time he worked closely with the head of state, the prime minister and cabinet ministers to develop and implement a strategic vision and direction for Rwanda and its people. Rudasingwa was a key player in establishing relationships with top U.S. and other international stakeholders to develop Rwanda’s strategy and effectively position the country within the competitive global marketplace.

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