Rally held in Lexington to raise awareness about conflict in Congo

Lexington, Kentucky, USA – On February 17, 2024, a peaceful demonstration was held in downtown Lexington to raise awareness about the ongoing violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In a show of solidarity with the millions of lives affected in the East African nation, hundreds took to the streets crying out for international recognition and action to curb the escalating violence.

Lexington’s Congolese Community Joins For The Cause

With over 1,300 Congolese residents, the city of Lexington holds one of the largest Congolese communities in the United States. The rally, organized by Elisha Mutayongwa and Karema Bwerevu, saw an impressive turnout of this community, as well as numerous advocacy groups and individuals interested in the cause. Attendees described the conflict as being “overlooked” and “forgotten” by the international community, including powerful nations and global institutions.

A Moment of Silence symbolising Congolese plight

Throughout the rally, attendees solemnly raised their hands in a unique signal representing the suffering of the Congolese people and the relative silence of the global community on their plight. According to Serge Kanyonga, a Congolese denizen and attendants, “We want to emphasize what’s happening in the Congo, but mainly on the silence the international community is showing to the world about Congo’s situation”.

A Record High Rate of Internal Displacement

As per the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration, in the unfolding human tragedy, it has been estimated that nearly seven million people have been internally displaced – a record for the struggling nation and surely one of the highest globally. Years of violence have resulted in enormous casualties, disrupting millions of lives, creating an expansive refugee crisis.

Sharing Stories of Impact and Appealing for International Attention

In an attempt to draw attention to an issue that has affected countless lives in the DRC, speakers at the rally told harrowing stories of the journey they had to endure due to the ongoing conflict. Their hope was to raise awareness of the crisis among Lexington residents and ultimately prompt international action. Mutayongwa, adds, “Our community is big here … how can we just put them together for one cause and be like, ‘We’re just going to hold a sign in town and raise awareness’.”

Fundraising efforts for the Cause

The Marifiki Centre, directed by Elisha Mutayongwa, is actively working towards providing aid to refugee families from Congo. The centre is currently accepting donations via its PayPal page and eager to assist those in need during these challenging times.

The Lexington rally serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing Congo conflict, calling to not overlook or forget the plight of millions ravaged by the conflict and urging immediate international intervention. Rally attendees hope their efforts will bring about a change by shedding light on atrocities that have been overshadowed by other world events.