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After watching varied news coverage all night, and checking the net for reports coming in - it looks like the situation in Smichov is slowly coming under control. They're allowing the Red Cross in for medical aid and necessities. A final casualty count hasn't come in, but even though the numbers aren't going to be staggering - it's too high. Not from lack of action on anyone's part, however. From all reports, things happened so fast that it would have been impossible to prevent most of the damage unless you knew it was going to happen beforehand, and despite the abilities of some people, we do not always have that luxury.
The Red Cross is already calling for volunteers, not to go over to the Czech Republic and help directly, but to work here sorting and loading aid packages to get sent over there mostly. Those of you who've already volunteered know where to go to help out. For those who are wanting to go volunteer, I'll be heading into Salem Center this afternoon, they're organizing a food drive at one of the community centers.
It doesn't seem like a lot, but every bit helps.
To that end, some of you might remember the group that Jamie Madrox started up with some other people, HeliX. It's been sort of an informal discussion group to try and facilitate acceptance between the human and mutant communities. Things have been kind of stop-and-go for a while, but I'm going to be putting out a call over the HeliX mailing list in the next day or so to try and organize fundraisers and rallies to benefit those folks who've lost their homes or suffered other losses in Smichov.
The important thing to realize is that this isn't about "mutants and humans", it's about people who need help. It's about making sure that the actions of a government that would make rash decisions out of fear don't get swept under the rug, that they're pointed out for the world to see and say "This is wrong, and we will not let it happen again". It's about everyone who gives a damn doing what they can to help - whether it's writing a letter to an elected official urging them to pursue sanctions against the government that caused the Smichov uprising, or going down and helping load aid packages onto a truck, or those who are actually over there providing medical aid or shelter, or those in power who are continually pushing for a world in which this will never again occur.
I'll be available until about 4 this afternoon if anyone wants to brainstorm ideas for ways to help out.
The Red Cross is already calling for volunteers, not to go over to the Czech Republic and help directly, but to work here sorting and loading aid packages to get sent over there mostly. Those of you who've already volunteered know where to go to help out. For those who are wanting to go volunteer, I'll be heading into Salem Center this afternoon, they're organizing a food drive at one of the community centers.
It doesn't seem like a lot, but every bit helps.
To that end, some of you might remember the group that Jamie Madrox started up with some other people, HeliX. It's been sort of an informal discussion group to try and facilitate acceptance between the human and mutant communities. Things have been kind of stop-and-go for a while, but I'm going to be putting out a call over the HeliX mailing list in the next day or so to try and organize fundraisers and rallies to benefit those folks who've lost their homes or suffered other losses in Smichov.
The important thing to realize is that this isn't about "mutants and humans", it's about people who need help. It's about making sure that the actions of a government that would make rash decisions out of fear don't get swept under the rug, that they're pointed out for the world to see and say "This is wrong, and we will not let it happen again". It's about everyone who gives a damn doing what they can to help - whether it's writing a letter to an elected official urging them to pursue sanctions against the government that caused the Smichov uprising, or going down and helping load aid packages onto a truck, or those who are actually over there providing medical aid or shelter, or those in power who are continually pushing for a world in which this will never again occur.
I'll be available until about 4 this afternoon if anyone wants to brainstorm ideas for ways to help out.
