WEDNESDAY October 20, 2010 from 12 noon to 1 pm WORLDWIDE

The Cell OUT is an organized cell phone usage boycott from 12 noon - 1 pm on October 20 to bring awareness of the Congo conflict over the natural resouces. Coltan, used in many electronic devices has caused many Congolese people to be killed since 1996.

Why?

- Nearly 6 million people have died in the Congo since 1996 due to a scramble for Congo’s spectacular natural resources.

- Coltan is 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 X-Box and Sony Play Station) and is mined illegally in the Congo by rebel militia and foreign forces then sold to multinational corporations.

- The boycott is to bring awareness to the war in the Congo, which started in 1996 and continues to this day with 45,000 people dying each month till today. We would like to invite organizations on college campuses and in the community to support us in our endeavor to raise awareness about the atrocities taking place in the Congo.

What do I do during the Cell Out?

- TURN YOUR PHONE OFF from 12 noon to 1 pm on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2010. No texting!!!

- Change your voice mail to reflect the message below:
“Did you know that Congo has anywhere from 64 - 80 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 Coltan nearly 6 million Congolese have died in the deadliest conflict since World War Two 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 an hour”

- Upon turning on your phone, text the word CLUBCONGO to the number 467467 and send the response message to 6 of your friends and encourage them to join the global movement to bring an end to the conflict in the Congo.

What Can I do to help?
- Learn more about the resource war by visiting conflictminerals.org

- Participate in our recycle program

- Invite us to your community to speak about the Congo and how you can be a part of the movement

- Contribute to one of our projects or the global mobilization campaign

- Become a Friend of the Congo - call 1-888-584-6510.

- Click here for more ways to take action