Former Sudanese Slave Preps for NY to DC Freedom Walk
A former Sudanese slave is building up support for an over 200-mile walk from New York to Washington, D.C. - a walk of freedom for the millions facing atrocities in Sudan.
NEW YORK – A former Sudanese slave is building up support for an over 200-mile walk from New York to Washington, D.C. - a walk of freedom for the millions facing atrocities in Sudan.
Kidnapped and forced into slavery during his childhood, Simon Deng suffered abuse and exhaustion for over three years as a Christian. His village and people were ransacked and burned alive by Arab marauders. He slept in a stable with the animals and was forced to do the job of a donkey, carrying jars of water for long distances. Although he was told the harsh treatment would end if he converted to Islam, he remained steadfast to his faith.
Now a New York resident and a lifeguard at Coney Island, Deng has emerged as a national leader among 250,000 Sudanese refugees in the United States, spreading word about the continuing plague of slavery in his native land.
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"I was constantly under terror. I would cry for mercy, but always that mercy is not here," said Deng at Elim Christian Assembly in Staten Island Sunday, according to the New York Sun.
Elim's senior pastor, Carlos Ortiz, only knew of the crises in Africa a year ago.
"It finally hit me what happened in Rwanda," said Ortiz to The Christian Post. "And I was extremely burdened by an event of that magnitude happening under my nose and ... so little is made of it."
More than 1.5 million people were killed in Sudan between 1955 and 1973. Just two decades later, another 2 million were added to the death toll. The ongoing genocide than began in 2003 has resulted in the deaths of more than 300,000.
Ortiz did not want to let another major issue pass by.
"When I was asked [if I had] interest in hosting Simon Deng, I thought about it. Then, I realized that here's another major issue that's kind of passing by," he said. "I realized we can play a part in some ways by having Simon Deng come to us, telling us what most of us wouldn't think would exist - slavery."
"As a human being, you can do anything, but to do nothing is the worst," said Deng.
Ortiz and several other local church and organization leaders are just beginning to respond to the injustice and humanitarian abuses. Hearing from victims and advocates like Deng, involved advocates hope to determine what action to take.
"We should do something," said Ortiz.
On a broader scale beyond slavery, the issue in Africa is a "huge humanitarian thing," as Ortiz stated it, going as far as the treatment of humans.”
"It's more than just those being driven to slavery," noted Ortiz. "It's economical ... it's about genocide, the Muslims taking liberties against Africans over religion. It's more than one issue going on here."
The killings and abuses are not over, said Ortiz.
Deng is slated to launch the Sudan Freedom Walk, sponsored by the Sudan Campaign, in New York Mar. 15-Apr. 5 to inform the public of modern-day slavery and genocide.
For a complete schedule of city stops, visit www.sudanactivism.com/darfurwalk
