Few issues of our time are as important as the crisis in Darfur, where the civil was has led to what Amnesty International describes as "The worst human rights abuses imaginable, including systematic and widespread murder, rape, abduction and forced displacement." Amnesty estimates that 2 million citizens have been forced to flee from their homes, while the Sudanese government resists international peacekeeping efforts. Unfortunately, the dearth of international news coverage as the media struggles for its life makes it easier for the world's bad guys to hide their crimes in plain sight.

Enter Sir Richard Branson. One of the advantages of being a celebrity is having the ability to raise awareness of humanitarian issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. Branson, a billionaire industrialist, has twittered and blogged about his three-day water-only solidarity fast for the starving in Sudan's war-torn region. Mia Farrow gave him the idea. "I can't even imagine what it must be like for many people in Darfur who have no choice but to go without food for weeks," Branson wrote. Taylor Hanson, from the rock group Hanson, is also fasting, along with former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, who has done medical mission work in Sudan, and blogger Rabbi David Saperstein of RJ.org, who is leading a large group of rabbis from around the world in going without for a few days.

There is, of course, robust debate online about whether or not fasting for Darfur accomplishes anything, but I think that anything that brings this issue to more people's attention is worth doing.

People like Branson and Peter Gabriel can use their celebrity to fast in solidarity with the people of Darfur. But what about everyday people who have to go to work and don't have nutritionists at the ready? How can we mark our opposition to this grave event? Individuals and communities around the country are finding creative ways to make a political statement about Darfur and the lack of progress. World leaders arriving for the G-20 economic summit in Pittsburgh's Flagstaff Hill yesterday were greeted by 610 Save Darfur signs. Next week, musicians will be busking throughout downtown Toronto at pre-determined locations in the second annual "Busking For Change." Chantal Kreviazuk, one of the participating musicians, plans to use the money she raises to build and run a youth center in Darfur.

What are you doing to halt the genocide and improve the situation in Darfur? If you can't fast, you can always donate to the Save Darfur Coalition here.

[Image: MSNBC]