We always have something up our sleeve, and true to form, we’ve arranged a bonus to accompany our MOVE:DC event. On November 16th, the day before MOVE:DC, we will be meeting at the U.S. Capitol to LOBBY:DC and demand that Congress takes immediate, concrete action to help stop the LRA. Did we mention the plan is to do this with 1,000 activists? Go big or go home.

The day-long event will bring supporters face-to-face with members of Congress and demand that they follow through on their promises to bring Joseph Kony to justice and to help LRA-affected communities recover. How do you get involved and what does it entail? Both very good questions.

After you officially register for LOBBY:DC, Invisible Children will begin scheduling your meeting with your state’s three leaders (two Senators and your representative). If lobbying is new to you, don’t worry –  you don’t have to be an expert on the LRA or politics. What matters most is that you’re passionate about ending this war. Passion is contagious, after all. We will be sending out many resources to participants so they can be prepared, including a LOBBY:DC training packet.

In 2007, Ryan Gosling thought lobbying with us was pretty awesome and important. Because it is.

Why is lobbying on Nov 16th so important? If we’ve learned anything over the last few years, it’s that you are a force to be reckoned with in Washington – especially when you sit down face-to-face with your members of Congress. Pressure from Congress is one of the best ways to make sure the President stays committed to the LRA mission. One of Invisible Children’s major victories, the passage of the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act, was only possible because of support-based lobby meetings. Plus, Congress decides how the U.S. spends its money – including humanitarian assistance to regions like central Africa. That is why we are devoting an entire day for you to make sure Congress moves (see what we did there?)

This happened as a result of lobbying. You can’t get more legit than the Oval Office. Oh hi President Obama.

To sum up: MOVE:DC will empower our generation to take a stand against war crimes around the globe, past sharing or “liking” a video. LOBBY:DC will directly influence what our government plans to do about Kony and his LRA. So, if surrounding the White House isn’t enough to get the attention of the President/the world, then maybe taking on Capitol Hill will do the trick.

Have more questions? Check this out or feel free to call our office or email [email protected].