Hundreds of activists braved the snow and cold in London on Saturday 9 January to join the global beat for peace for Sudan.  Buses brought supporters from Birmingham and Manchester to join the rally opposite 10 Downing Street.

Led by Sudanese diaspora from all over Sudan, they banged on drums, water bottles and tin cans to create a beat to reach inside Downing Street.  Banners and placards called on the UK government to increase their engagement in Sudan to protect civilians and protect huAfter keeping the beat, we all walked across Westminster Bridge to St John’s Crypt near Waterloo.  Speeches from Archbishop Daniel Deng and Edward Davey MP reminded us why we were there.  The afternoon was finished off with a few songs from Sudanese musicians and a group of Dinka dancers.

The day’s events had a distinctly positive feel.  From the drumming at Downing Street to the dancing at St John’s Crypt, there was a sense of excitement that there is still time to prevent a human rights crisis in Sudan.  Now we just need the political will.