The “abducted” gathered Saturday in Civic Center park — hundreds of Colorado teens, some younger — simulating the plight of Ugandan children taken from their homes in recent years by a rebel army.
They formed a line, connected by a single rope, and walked to Cheesman Park, where they established a makeshift overnight rescue camp. They sprawled on blankets to write letters to congressmen, tied photos of themselves to pictures of African children, and read poetry asking for justice.
“The Congolese child soldiers hold onto a rope when they are abducted from their families,” said Katie Schneebeck, a spokeswoman for the nonprofit Invisible Children, organizer of the event.
The overnight rally, similarly played out in 100 cities worldwide, aimed to steer attention to guerrilla leader Joseph Kony’s human-rights abuses.
By 7 p.m., people had arrived at Cheesman Park, waiting for political leaders and media — deemed “the rescuers” — to arrive to listen to their message.
Colorado State University sophomores Rachel Leston and Lauren Rencoret said they jumped at the chance to be part of a worldwide effort on behalf of kidnapped African children. After reaching the park, they sat cross-legged on the grass and started writing letters to U.S. Sen. Mark Udall. A representative from Udall’s office was set to speak later in the evening. Miles Moffeit, The Denver Post
