Peace at risk in Darfur

The New York Times fronted a report today on the tensions building once more between the Sudanese government and rebel groups in Darfur. Almost four months have passed since the government in Khartoum signed a peace agreement with one rebel group; now "the government is preparing a fresh assault against the rebel groups that refused to sign."

According to the Times, Khartoum's renewed mobilization is in response to acts of violence by the rebel groups that did not sign on to the peace agreement earlier this year. Attacks on aid workers by both rebel groups and government-sponsored militias have made it increasingly difficult for aid workers to bring services to the thousands of people displaced by the fighting; one aid worker told the Times, “If there were a major military offensive you could be looking at a complete evacuation of humanitarian workers in Northern Darfur, which would leave millions without a lifeline.”

An overextended African Union force of 7,000 has been stationed in Darfur to enforce the peace agreement; this afternoon, the U.N. voted to send in a force of 21,000 troops and police officers--however, deployment of the force is contingent upon the approval of the Sudanese government.

Take action! Attend the Save Darfur Coalition rally, "Voices to Stop Genocide," in New York City on September 17, 2006.

New iAbolish T-shirts!

iAbolish is proud to announce the debut of our new anti-slavery T-shirts! See them here in action at Soulfest 2006.

Spread the word and support our cause by buying one today! Available in women's cut and unisex.

Pictured: AASG Speaking Associate Micheline Slattery (center); AASG interns (from left) Kate Profumo, Rose Chou, Andrea Titus, and AASG Project Director Janie Kiser.

Welcome to the iAbolish blog

Slavery isn't history. In fact, more than 27 million are enslaved around the world today.

The American Anti-Slavery Group (AASG) is a non-profit organization (501c3) that works to abolish modern-day slavery around the world, focusing primarily on systems of chattel slavery in Sudan and Mauritania.

This blog is the newest addition to iAbolish, our online hub for information and activism regarding modern day slavery and human trafficking.

Since our founding in 1994, we have centered our efforts on four components: Awareness, Advocacy, Activism and Aid. Today, we are at the forefront of the anti-slavery movement, empowering former slaves through our speakers' bureau, supplying direct aid, educating the public and giving individuals the tools to become acitivists.

Check out our Web site, iAbolish.org and consider making a donation, booking a speaker or buying something from our online store.

Take action today and help us bring make slavery truly a thing of the past.