4/27 – ANTI-ARNOLD RALLY/PROTEST!   Join the Alliance for a Better California in Sacramento on Thursday to protest Governor Schwarzenegger and send him a message that we don't need another promise-breaking politician.   We need a leader who will stand up for the issues we care about, like funding public schools, health care and public safety.  The rally will take place at 4:30pm outside the Hyatt Regency, 1209 L Street, Sacramento.   Meet on the Capitol Grounds directly across the street from the Hyatt.  Some parking is available at the 10th Street Parking Garage.   Contact Sandra Lowe for more information at smarchele@aol.com.

4/27-4/30 – 2006 California Democratic Party State Convention in Sacramento.   A group of SDC members will be volunteering at the Convention.  If you are interested in attending the Convention, please reply to this email for more information, ASAP!

4/27 & 4/28 – Team Invisible Children – Chico proudly presents free film screenings of INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Thursday and Friday, April 27 & 28, 7:30pm, at the Senator Theatre.  Doors open at 7pm.  Co-sponsored by the Student Democratic Club, as well as many other groups (see the Invisible Children Press Release below for further details).   For more information, contact: Sarah Cuc, President of Team Invisible Children, at 619-787-5243 chicochica08@hotmail.com, or Amanda Runyan, Co-Chair of Team Invisible Children, at arunyan@hotmail.com, or Minerva Williams, SDC President, at 530-343-7026 minwil2001@yahoo.com , or reply to this email.  For more information regarding the film please see www.invisiblechildren.com.

PRESS RELEASE & BACKGROUND :  Invisible Children is a documentary exposing the effects of a 20-year war on the children of Northern Uganda.   The "invisible children" are those who sleep in fear of abduction by ruthless Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebel soldiers, led by a man named Joseph Kony.  Children as young as five years of age are forced to fight as soldiers and commit heinous acts as part of a violent rebel army.

The Invisible Children tour, "Suburban Safari," is a nationwide movement.  The tour hosts screenings of the documentary sponsored by the San Diego national, nonprofit organization, Invisible Children, Inc.  Teams of knowledgeable and dedicated Invisible Children staff are touring the country in the official "Invisible Children Winnebago" to spread awareness of the children's plight.   The California Team will be hosting FREE SCREENINGS of the film in Chico on THURSDAY APRIL 27^TH and FRIDAY APRIL 28^TH AT THE SENATOR THEATRE.   Doors open at 7pm and screenings begin at 7:30pm. 

Every night in Uganda thousands of children leave their homes and walk several miles to sleep in the town.   Sleeping on the streets provides the children a better chance for safety compared to the rural location of their homes.  There are currently over 25,000 people signed up nationwide to participate in the Global Night Commute.   It is on this night that Americans will give up the comfort of their own beds and sleep outside to raise awareness of the situation in Northern Uganda.   On SATURDAY, APRIL 29^TH at 8pm, members of the Chico community will meet to take part in this groundbreaking event.  More information will be announced at the free screenings.   "We are taking this lying down!" 

The Invisible Children filmmakers, Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey and Laren Poole, have labored since their first trip to Uganda in 2003 to turn their documentary into the advocacy movement that it has become.   The program organizers believe that this nationwide educational effort will raise awareness and help to provide financial assistance to the children in Uganda that will be used to support the education program, and provide healthcare, rehabilitation counseling and living facilities.   There are currently 210 children enrolled in the Invisible Children Education program, which is directed by Jolly Okot.  A native Ugandan, Okot works in the Gulu region of Uganda.   In 2005, Okot was honored by the organization, 1,000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize, as one of the 1,000 women around the world most deserving of award.

President and Vice President of Team Invisible Children – Chico are Sarah Cuc and Amanda Runyan.   Cuc is a sophomore majoring in Musical Theatre and a sister of Sigma Alpha Omega, CSU Chico's Christian sorority.  Runyan is a senior, graduating from the English department, and President of Sigma Alpha Omega.   Business manager/Treasure is Zack Curry from The Edge. The CSUC Student Democratic Club is offering assistance in marketing and promotional efforts. Sponsors include: Bidwell Presbyterian Church, CSUC Anthropology Forum, The Edge, Zapatista Solidarity Group, CSUC Political Science Department, DARFUR, Alpha Sigma Pi Business Fraternity, Chico Stand, Human Relations Network of Butte County, CSUC Peace Institute, Chico Peace and Justice Center and SELAC, among many, many others. 

--5/1 – Student Democratic Club meeting, Monday, 6:30pm, BMU 204.

--6/6 – California Primary Election.  Remember to vote!   Take a friend!!