Please join the Science, Technology and Race Learning Community in support of “The Cell OUT,” an annual event hosted by the Friends of the Congo.
The Cell OUT is a digital moment of silence starting at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 16, to commemorate the millions of Congolese lives lost and to raise awareness about the ongoing conflict in the Congo in the vicious scramble for its spectacular natural resources. One such natural resource 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 many electronic devices such as cell phones.
An estimated 6 million people 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 Congo. It is a mineral widely used in numerous electronic devices such as cell phones and game consoles (Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation) and is mined illegally in the Congo by rebel militia and foreign forces and then sold to multinational corporations.
The digital moment of silence is a way to raise awareness about the conflict in the Congo, which began in 1996 and continues to this day. Organizations on college campuses and in local communities are encouraged to support the people of the Congo in their effort to bring about peace, stability and human dignity.
During The Cell OUT do the following:
- Turn off your phone for at least one hour starting at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 16. No texting!
- Change your voicemail to reflect the following message: “Did you know that the Congo has an estimated 64% of the world’s reserve of coltan, a natural resource that is central to the operation of our cell phones? As we benefit from coltan, millions of Congolese have died in the deadliest conflict since World War II in part as a result of the scramble for coltan and other minerals 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.”
- Upon turning your phone back on, text six of your friends and encourage them to join the global movement for justice in the Congo.
In order to help further:
- Support Congolese children who were party to the suit against Apple, Tesla, Google, Microsoft and Dell.
- Learn more about the resource war by visiting friendsofthecongo.org/primer
- Join the #FreeCongo movement
