FOR HOPE AND HUMAN DIGNITY
CLEVELAND, OH — In 2017 Socent Studios journeyed to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to meet with members of Lucha RDC (BBC World Service). LUCHA (fight for change) is a nonviolent, non-partisan, youth-organized citizen movement made up of Congolese from all walks of life, origins and religions who share in a united desire for a truly independent, constitutional, democratic and prosperous Congo, and who militate for its advent through nonviolent actions. Today LUCHA poses the greatest resistance to DRC's dictator Joseph Kabila. As a result, LUCHA youth have been intimidated, arrested, tortured and killed by the Kabila-led state government. Unconscionably, Congo is home to the deadliest struggle for peace and human dignity since WWII (Impact).
LUCHA RD Congo
After listening to their stories and learning of their unspeakable struggle Socent founder and CEO Justin Bastian made a promise to Congolese leaders atop Virunga's active startovolcano, Mount Nyiragongo. Justin promised that Socent Studios would return to the United States and light Northeast Ohio's iconic Terminal Tower for Congolese peace and dignity; that Socent would illuminate the darkness to show support and solidarity with all Congolese risking together nonviolently to end our world's deadliest war.
Michael McCabe
On April 2, 2018 Justin kept his promise and Socent Studios lit Northeast OH's iconic Terminal Tower the colors of Congo's flag. From twilight to dawn Cleveland, OH's landmark Tower and three other K&D Group buildings in Downtown Cleveland radiated with DRC's colors in global solidarity. Powered by unwaivering determination to keep a promise made to comrades atop Mount Nyiragongo, Socent Studios established Cleveland, OH as the first Western city in history to acknowledge Congolese hope and human dignity in such a way.
Blue: symbolizes Congo's peace and hope.
Red: symbolizes the blood of Congo's martyrs.
Yellow: symbolizes Congo's wealth and prosperity.
Yellow Star: symbolizes unity and brilliant future.
Red: symbolizes the blood of Congo's martyrs.
Yellow: symbolizes Congo's wealth and prosperity.
Yellow Star: symbolizes unity and brilliant future.
Due to international exploitation of Congo's mineral wealth valued today at $24 trillion, Congolese struggle is directly fueled by our Conflict Electronics. Millions and millions of innocents have been slaughtered and thirteen million more are in critical peril today. Due to 22 years of unfettered geopolitical corruption and transnational exploitation of DRC UN Geneva classified Congo's struggle as a Level 3 Humanitarian Crisis in April 2018, the body's highest level of emergency.
Thomas Wasinski, April 2, 2018
Tom Wasinski, April 2, 2018
Dagna Griffin, April 2, 2018
Thomas Wasinski, April 2, 2018
Dagna Griffin, April 2, 2018
Thomas Wasinski, April 2, 2018
Dagna Griffin, April 2, 2018
Unfettered plundering of DRC has also placed Congo’s wildlife at grave risk. As a result planet earth’s largest primates, Congo's endemic Eastern Lowland Gorillas (King Kong), are critically endangered and on the precipice of extinction. Additionally, every year roughly 30,000 of Congo’s African Elephants (largest land mammals in the world) are slaughtered for their ivory. It is estimated only 400,000 remain.
Mike Ramsdell
Nick Brandt Socent Studios and Cleveland, OH stand in solidarity with LUCHA, Congo's youth and all Congolese risking together nonviolently for durable peace, progress, and prosperity.
#CLE4DRC
#CLE4DRC
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