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UID:0-522@sites.udmercy.edu
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20241016T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20241016T130000
DTSTAMP:20241010T155711Z
URL:https://sites.udmercy.edu/campusconnection/events/support-the-cell-out
 -digital-moment-of-silence-for-the-congo/
SUMMARY:Support “The Cell OUT” digital moment of silence for the Congo
DESCRIPTION:Please join the Science\, Technology and Race Learning Communit
 y in support of The Cell OUT\, an annual event hosted by The Friends of th
 e Congo.\n\nThe Cell OUT is a digital moment of silence starting at noon o
 n Wednesday\, Oct. 16\, to commemorate the millions of Congolese lives los
 t and to raise awareness about the ongoing conflict in the Congo in the vi
 cious scramble for its spectacular natural resources. One such natural res
 ource is columbite-tantalite\, or coltan\, a black tar-like mineral found 
 in major quantities in the Congo. When coltan is refined it becomes a heat
 -resistant powder that can hold a high electrical charge. It is used in ma
 ny electronic devices such as cell phones.\n\nAn estimated 6 million peopl
 e have died in the Congo since 1996 due to the scramble for the Congo’s 
 natural resources. Coltan has been a key source of the conflict in the Con
 go. It is a mineral widely used in numerous electronic devices such as cel
 l phones and game consoles (Microsoft X-Box and Sony Play Station) and is 
 mined illegally in the Congo by rebel militia and foreign forces and then 
 sold to multinational corporations.\n\nThe digital moment of silence is a 
 way to raise awareness about the conflict in the Congo\, which began in 19
 96 and continues to this day. Organizations on college campuses and in loc
 al communities are encouraged to support the people of the Congo in their 
 effort to bring about peace\, stability and human dignity.\n\nDuring The C
 ell OUT do the following:\n\n 	Turn off your phone for at least one hour s
 tarting at noon on Wednesday\, Oct. 16. No texting!\n 	Change your voice m
 ail to reflect the following message: Did you know that the Congo has an e
 stimated 64 percent of the world's reserve of coltan\, a natural resource 
 that is central to the operation of our cell phones? As we benefit from co
 ltan\, millions of Congolese have died in the deadliest conflict since Wor
 ld War II in part as a result of the scramble for coltan and other mineral
 s key to the functioning of modern technology. Join us in solidarity with 
 the Congolese people and fast from your phone for at least an hour.\n 	Upo
 n turning your phone back on\, text six of your friends and encourage them
  to join the global movement for justice in the Congo.\n\nIn order to help
  further:\n\n 	Support Congolese children who were party to the suit agai
 nst Apple\, Tesla\, Google\, Microsoft and Dell.\n 	Learn more about the r
 esource war by visiting friendsofthecongo.org/primer\n 	Join the #FreeCong
 o movement\n
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