Kony 2012 Sequel Released Tomorrow
The viral phenomenon known as Kony 2012 is set to release its sequel tomorrow, April 3. For those unfamiliar with the movement, it started with a 30-minute video featuring the slogan Kony 2012 as a rallying cry to depose Ugandan leader Joseph Kony.
Invisible Children, the organization behind "Kony 2012," states: "that the new film will give more details and context than the first," according to The Guardian. The original video has been seen over 86 million times, and has caused celebrities and politicians to get involved.
There will be "more details on Kony's Lord's Resistance Army and more voices from the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the LRA is currently based," Jedidiah Jenkins, Director of Ideology for Invisible Children, told Reuters.
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While the public has generally been supportive of the film, critics have stated that it is too simple in its approach to the plight of child soldiers, as well as historical inaccuracies.
"Joseph Kony is not in Uganda and hasn't been for six years," former Foreign Policy intern and Ph.D. student Michael Wilkerson wrote on a Foreign Policy blog. "The LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) now numbers at most in the hundreds, and while it is still causing immense suffering, it is unclear how millions of well-meaning but misinformed people are going to help deal with the more complicated reality."
Invisible Children, led by Jason Russell, has proposed that anyone watching "Kony 2012" take part in a worldwide event entitled "Cover the Night." It is to take place on April 20, and volunteers are to plaster every available area with information about Joseph Kony. The sequel coming tomorrow will feature more information and an update about "Cover the Night" plans.
Jason Russell has been the subject of much speculation after he was filmed running nude in the street. It was reported that he was suffering from psychosis. Jenkins told Reuters that he is "on the road to recovery. It's going to be months, the doctor's say, but he is recovering."
It is not known whether Russell will be speaking publicly or if there are events planned for tomorrow's release.
