Keokuk, IA – Those working in Keokuk to stop the genocide in Sudan's Darfur region hope to send a message across the Pacific Ocean this weekend.
The Olympic Dream for Darfur Torch Relay will get underway Sunday afternoon at 1:00 at Southeastern Community College's Keokuk campus.
Keokuk for Darfur Founder Julie Hayes says the idea is to send a message to China, which is hosting next year's summer Olympics, that it cannot continue to ignore the genocide in Darfur.
She says groups like Keokuk for Darfur would like to see China admit that the genocide in Darfur is going on and take steps to stop it.
Hayes says the Olympic Dream for Darfur Torch Relay will end up at Keokuk High School's Wright Fieldhouse with a closing ceremony on Sunday.
You can hear more with Keokuk for Darfur founder Julie Hayes by clicking the audio link above.
Additional Information
* Hayes says the idea is not to boycott the Olympics in Chine, but rather to spotlight the issue and China's responsibilities.
* She says China purchases oil from Sudan and is involved in weapons sales.