Enough Project and Funny or Die Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jonathan Hutson, [email protected]
Mobile: +1-202-386-1618
WASHINGTON – The Enough Project, a human rights organization, has collaborated with comedy video website Funny or Die on a video calling for solutions to Central Africa's Lord's Resistance Army conflict. The satirical, three-minute video features former NBC Law & Order: SVU co-star Christopher Meloni, who has recently joined the HBO series True Blood. It co-stars Amir Arison.
In the video, produced by Funny or Die in conjunction with the Enough Project, Meloni talks about the atrocities committed by LRA leader Joseph Kony. Wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity, Kony has led the rebel group from Uganda to the Congo, South Sudan and Central African Republic for nearly 25 years.Meloni became involved in the Enough Project's efforts to end the LRA after a 2009 episode of Law & Order: SVU about a child soldier fleeing the LRA conflict, according to Enough Project Co-founder John Prendergast.
"A few years ago, I helped the producers and writers at Law & Order: SVU do an episode whose central character was a former child soldier in the LRA,” Prendergast said. “The cast was deeply affected by the backstory of the LRA. Mariska Hargitay became an outspoken advocate against sexual violence in the Congo. Chris Meloni decided to get involved in a different way, but you have to see it to believe it. There is so much we can do to help support efforts to bring an end to the LRA and to help the communities affected by the conflict.”
Viewers of the video will be directed to www.enoughproject.org/stopkony
“We’re really excited to partner with Funny or Die on this fresh approach to advocacy,” said Robert Padavick, Director of Content for the Enough Project. “By combining masters of comedy and satire with an evidence-based, results-oriented policy organization, we’re creating new ways to introduce people to this critical issue and educate them about solutions.”
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The Enough Project is a project at the Center for American Progress to end genocide and crimes against humanity. Founded in 2007, the Enough Project focuses on crises in Sudan, eastern Congo, and areas of Africa affected by the Lord’s Resistance Army. Enough’s strategy papers and briefings provide sharp field analysis and targeted policy recommendations based on a “3P” crisis response strategy: promoting durable peace, providing civilian protection, and punishing perpetrators of atrocities. Enough works with concerned citizens, advocates, and policy makers to prevent, mitigate, and resolve these crises. For more information, please visit www.enoughproject.org.