Introduction

Welcome to information on the International HP Alliance House Parties. Together we can wake the world up to the fact that the genocide in Darfur must be stopped the way Harry and Dumbledore’s Army woke the world up to Voldemort’s return!

Here are simple guidelines and ideas for how to hold one of these House Parties.

Download PDF

HP Alliance International Event Kit.pdf (2934KB)
HP Alliance USA Event Kit.pdf (3030KB)

We are holding HP Alliance house parties all over the world starting July 14…and what better way to send Harry off before Deathly Hallows comes out, than following his lead and waking the world up to fight the Dark Arts? Waking them up with our voices, our actions, and with our creativity!

And please keep in mind that if you don’t have any one with which to throw a house party, you can do most of these things on your own. You might not have time to do everything on this list, so plan ahead and make your House Party what you wish!

For quick reference, here are some supplies you will likely need on hand:

  • This guide
  • Parchment and quills
  • A telephone
  • A video camera
  • Sound equipment (to play a podcast)
  • Music
  • Snacks & Drinks

  • 1 Well-Mannered Frivolity

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    Here are two events we would like everyone to share at their House Party: An amazing podcast, and a ceremonial lighting of a candle.

    Listen to the Podcast

    We encourage everyone at the party to listen to a special podcast produced to encourage the development of Dumbledore’s Army in the real world. Available starting July 14th, and hosted through Leaky’s Pottercast ( HYPERLINK "http://pottercast.the-leaky-cauldron.org" http://pottercast.the-leaky-cauldron.org), it will feature some of the world's most prominent leaders and experts in the fight to end the genocide in Darfur as well as prominent members of the Harry Potter community (like Harry and the Potters!).

    Light a Candle for Harry

    This can be done either at the beginning or end of your party, either out loud or silently, and either in a group setting or individually.

    Light a candle for Harry, sending him our love as he journeys to destroy each horcrux, shedding light onto the darkness. As you light this candle, put out an intention for how you intend to shine your light onto the darkness that exists in our world. And remember that even though we are not necessarily “the boy who lived,” each one of us has a role to play in the cosmic battle of love versus fear. And in these “dark and difficult times” where choices between what is right and what is easy continue to emerge, we have the opportunity to let our light shine. For as a wise person once said, it is a far, far better thing to light even the smallest candle rather than to curse the darkness.

    You may choose to light one candle together, each light your own candles or light seven candles.

  • 2 Waking Up the Ministry

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    The Genocide in Darfur Must End

    Below is a list of 5 direct actions we can all take to wake up our leaders by letting them know that ending the genocide in Darfur is mandatory, nonnegotiable, and urgent. Just how Harry and Dumbledore’s Army woke up the Ministry of Magic to the return of Voldemort, we too must demand that our leaders take action to end the atrocities happening every day in Sudan.

    1. 1-800-GENOCIDE (only for people living in the USA)

    We’d like everyone at each house party to call 1-800-GENOCIDE ( 1800genocide.com). This anti-genocide hotline will provide you with talking points on current legislation, and connect you to your elected leader’s offices for free. After your first call, we ask that you call every day until you’ve called your governor, both your senators, and each of your representatives.

    2. ASK THE CANDIDATES

    Sign the petition urging all the candidates in the 2008 election to personally commit to ending the genocide in Darfur at askthecandidates.org.

    3. DARFURSCORES.org (only for people living in the USA)

    Go to darfurscores.org, and find out how your elected leaders have been graded in how they’ve dealt with Darfur. Once you’ve seen their grade, click on the name of each of your elected officials to find the address to their office. If they’ve scored well, send them a thank you letter and remind them how important it is to continue to remain vigilant on this issue. If they have scored poorly, send them a polite letter urging them to vote for important Darfur legislation in the future and support the cause through co-sponsorships. Tell them that we need each person to do all they can to end the genocide — and that you expect more from your elected officials. Make it clear that you do not approve of this failure to stand up against genocide, and that you will be paying close attention in the coming months.

    In addition to sending a letter you may want to send something creative, as well…perhaps a video that you burn on DVD letting your elected official know what you think, or a song that you’ve written and put on a CD. Bake them a cake, paint a picture, write a poem - do anything to draw attention to this issue.

    4. SEND SOME OWLS TO YOUR OFFICIALS

    Write a letter to your local, state or provincial, and federal officials, urging them to take action with Darfur! The “How to Contact Your Officials” section contains contact information for your leaders, no matter where you live in the world. Even if you call your official, send them a letter as well. While e-mail is simpler, a written letter can be more powerful, so we strongly encourage you to give your hand and your owl some exercise! Let’s drown them in a flood of owls. Just remember to be polite and professional, but do let your passion show through!

    Tips on writing your elected officials from the ACLU: action.aclu.org

    5. CREATIVE VIDEOS!

    Video for 24 Hours for Darfur Make a video and submit it to 24hoursfordarfur.org. You can wear Harry Potter garb, you can sing, you can rap, you can do any thing you want - including speaking plainly into the camera. Talk about how you care about the genocide in Darfur.

    Video for 2008 Debates Youtube is asking people to upload videos for the Democratic debate on July 23. You can make a video asking the Democratic candidates about what they plan on doing around Darfur and submitting it to http://www.youtube.com/debates -- your question may be aired during the presidential debates (keep your eyes open for the same thing in September for the Republican debates).

  • 3 Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts

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    Divestment

    In Order of the Phoenix, Harry asks Mr. Weasley what private business Lucius Malfoy has with the Minister of Magic. Mr. Weasley explains that they are meeting about gold. Malfoy gives the Ministry money and in turn continues to hold too much influence on how things go. This is a reminder that in our world, money often does the talking. And in Darfur, if you cut off the flow of money, you cut off the flow of genocide.

    After all, the Sudanese government is spending a lot of money to make this genocide happen. Where are they getting the money? Most of it is coming from Chinese oil companies like PetroChina. If we challenge these Chinese oil companies and the government of China to stop doing business with Sudan, we will be doing one of the most effective things that we can do in getting Sudan to stop this genocide. In the past, the Sudanese government has changed their policies of human rights violations because of economic pressure. We can do it again.

    But how do we pressure the Chinese oil companies to stop doing business with Sudan?

    By getting businesses in the US and throughout the world to stop doing business with these very same Chinese oil companies. If Fidelity Investments cuts out all of their holdings in PetroChina because PetroChina helps fund the genocide in Sudan, it is likely that PetroChina will stop funding the genocide…and this will force Sudan to make the genocide come to an end.

    So now the question is: “How do we pressure Fidelity?”

    Go to fidelityoutofsudan.googlepages.com to get involved. Here you can download educational videos, petitions, handouts, and much much more. Also, your local universities or state most likely has investments in businesses that are putting money into Chinese companies that are funding the genocide. It’s time to pressure our states and universities to divest. Many have already. Check out: sudandivestment.org.

  • 4 Hog’s Head Conversations

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    Remember when Harry held the meeting to form the Defense Against the Dark Arts study group? We want you to discuss how to keep building Dumbledore’s Army in the real world by continuing to fight the Dark Arts and end the genocide in Darfur. Below are some ideas to give you a starting point for your discussion.

    1. Create a STAND chapter at your school:

    STAND is a Student Anti-Genocide Coalition that serves as an umbrella organization for student groups who are dedicated to permanently ending all instances of genocide. They have a wealth of resources to aid you in your fight no matter where you’re located, available at standnow.org. For those of us elsewhere, try starting your own groups – get your friends, classmates, coworkers, and families involved!

    2. Hold a Fundraiser:

    Fundraising for organizations such as the Genocide Intervention Network and for the peacekeeping forces in Darfur can prove to the government that we’re serious about ending the violence. For more ideas, visit: genocideintervention.org

    3. Sign Up for Action Alerts:

    Sign up for action alerts with the Genocide Intervention Network or STAND today and get up to date information about what’s happening in Darfur.

    4. Sign Up & Post

    on the Darfur message boards at HP Alliance Forums for more ideas and to continue the discussion.

  • 5 Owl Post

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    Sign in Sheet

    We’d like to be able to get in contact with any of the people you know, or any of your guests that are interested in The HP Alliance. Working together, we can transform our world through Harry Potter. If your guests are interested, have them fill out their information below, and send it back to us so we can get in touch with them! They can also reach us by visiting thehpalliance.org, myspace.com, or by contacting Andrew at andrew@thehpalliance.org. Please be sure to keep parchment and quills handy for this task!

    Owl Post

    We’d love to hear from you about what you did at your party, as well as any thoughts, comments, or feedback you have for us. Please send us an electronic owl with any or all of the questions below answered, in addition to whatever else you’d like to pass our way. This information is incredibly important to us not only so the HP Alliance can become stronger, but also so we can prove to others (like the media) that Harry Potter fans can make a huge difference in the world!

    Why did you decide to become involved with the HP Alliance? What made you want to throw this party?
    How many people attended your International HP Alliance Party?
    Which actions did you take from the Wake Up the Ministry Section?
    How many people called 1-800-GENOCIDE? / How many people contacted their officials?
    What came of your Hog’s Head conversation?
    Were you able to attempt any of the Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts?
    Please let us know what your favorite things were. Also, were there any things that could have been done better?
    What support would you like from us moving on in the future?

    Be sure your owl includes the names and contact information that you collected above!

  • 6 Extra Party Suggestions

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    Another aspect of the HP Alliance party is to celebrate Harry Potter by reading inspirational quotes, watching the movies, rocking out to Wizard Rock, and more! We’ve even included some Sudanese customs and activities for you to enjoy.

    Activities/Games

    Traditional Sudanese Greeting:

    The customs upon two men meeting each other is to shake hands and tap each other’s shoulder at the same time. A hug and rubbing of cheeks may be exchanged between Sudanese women and their friends.

    Costumes:

    Have your guests come dressed as their favorite Harry Potter character!

    Create a Harry Potter / Social Change Trivia Game:

    There are many inspiring quotes from the books and movies. To create a trivia game from them, have your guests name who said each one and guess which book or movie they came from. To make the game longer, have your copy of the books on hand so guests can flip through and pick out additional quotes and write them down. Be sure to discuss the quote after each round. How do the quotes relate to what’s going on in our world?

    Create a Video:

    After you’ve made your 24 hours for Darfur video, perhaps you’d like to make a video where you tell JK Rowling or a character in the books how much they mean to you, how they’ve changed your life, etc. Upload it to Youtube, and post it on the HP Alliance comments section. We will be sending out some of the videos in our blogs and in our bulletins!

    Get Creative!

    Take turns to write a Harry Potter inspired short story about social justice. The setting can be in the Wizarding World or our world, and can expand upon an idea in the books or be completely original. Take turns adding either a sentence or paragraph to the story. You can either write it down on paper or record it onto a CD. Once your story is complete, read it aloud or play it back for everyone to enjoy!

    Questions for Discussion:

    How did you first get introduced to Harry Potter? What does Harry Potter mean to you? How will Harry Potter continue to play an important role in your life?

    Dance, Play, Rock Out to Wizard Rock!

    Here is a very brief playlist of some politically charged wrock songs to get you started:
    (Not Gonna Put on) the Monkey Suit -- Harry and the Potters
    Open Letter to the Entire Wizarding Community -- Whomping Willows
    The Second War Begins -- Catchlove
    The Vigil -- Hollow Godric
    Mister Minister -- Sectumsepras
    Dirty Rotten Fudge -- Thomas & Finnigan
    Ready and Prepared -- Hermione Crookshanks Experience

    Decorate your candle to light for Harry!

    Supplies needed:
    1 votive candle
    1 baby food jar, with label and lid removed
    paper, glue, rubber band, scissors
    any other decorations you want such as glitter, stickers, colored markers, etc.
    Instructions:
    Lay the jar on its side and use a pencil to mark the height on a piece of paper. Cut out a strip of paper long enough to wrap around the jar.
    Decorate the label you just made by writing your wishes for Harry and your intensions for how YOU plan to fight the Dark Arts in the real world. Be creative!
    Glue the label to the jar and use the rubber band to hold it in place. Let dry.

    For more fun ideas, check out potterparties.com

  • 7 Background on the Darfur Conflict

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    Darfur is a region bigger than California in the western part of Sudan, a country in northeast Africa, that has been facing genocide for over three years. The people of Darfur have been facing decades of abuse and oppression at the hands of the Sudanese government. And so in February of 2003, frustrated by poverty and neglect, rebel groups – composed mainly of non-Arab black African Muslims - began attacking government targets.

    The Sudanese government responded basically by saying, "Why should we have to deal with this rebellion or even with the rights of the Darfuri people at all? Let's just get rid of them. Let's just exterminate all of them. And let's teach everyone to be afraid of us."

    And so the government started providing support and giving weapons to a group known as the Janjaweed to wipe out the rebellion. The Janjaweed is a militia group made up mostly of Arab black African Muslims, and their tactics against the Darfurians have been brutal.

    The Janjaweed, often with the direct support of Sudanese troops, have systematically burned down Darfuri villages where non-Arabs are known to live, leaving nothing behind – not even one home. The men in these villages are systematically killed. The women are systematically raped and oftentimes killed, as well. So are the children. Civilians are routinely tortured, dismembered, and murdered. These are ordinary people who are being systematically destroyed.

    In the course of three years, the world has watched as the Sudanese government and the Janjaweed militia have killed over 400,000 innocent people and displaced over 2 million.

    And this is not just any displacement. The Darfuri people are getting kicked out of their homes and displaced in the middle of the desert. People have been forced from their villages and have fled to other areas in Sudan and to refugee camps in neighboring Chad. These people are living under the most difficult of conditions for survival – without reliable sources of food, water, shelter, healthcare and safety. What’s more is that oftentimes the Janjaweed have followed them and continue their attacks.

    And it's not like we're talking about something that happened. It's happening right now. It happened today. It happened yesterday. It will happen tomorrow. Over one million Darfuris remain in their homes under the constant threat of more raids, attacks, rape and murder. It's happening, and still the world is asleep at the wheel.

    Sure some leaders get up and make a few speeches that this is genocide. But they have done virtually nothing to end what should have been ended over 3 years ago. There are practical things that could be done that are not happening. And most of those things don't involve violence. There are ways of pressuring Sudan to stop this genocide. And yet, we have done so little.

    And why? Because the leaders in the US and Europe and all over the world do not feel enough pressure from their citizens to stop this genocide. They don't realize that we care. That we will support them. We can show them our support.

    Recommended Links to Learn More:

    Reading

    Here are some organizations you can visit to learn more about the situation in Darfur: The International Crisis Group: crisisgroup.org, STAND, genocideintervention.net, Genocide Intervention Network, Save Darfur, and Darfur: A Genocide We Can Stop. Human Rights Watch: Has compiled a wealth of information on Sudan at hrw.org

    Videos

    Video 1, Video 2, and Video 3
    (WARNING: these videos have graphic images…but this IS genocide, so what do you expect?)

  • 8 How to Contact Your Officials

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    Who to Contact:

    Your national government official (e.g., the President, Prime Minister)
    Other national governing bodies (e.g., Congress, Senate)
    Your state or provincial official (e.g., Governor, Premier)
    Your local municipal official (e.g., Mayor)
    The news! Your local paper, TV, and radio. Share with them your concern for Darfur and urge them to tell the public.

    USA

    Call 1-800-GENOCIDE and they will connect you with your local officials and give you tips on things you can do to help.

    President

    The White House
    1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
    Washington, DC 20500
    comments@whitehouse.gov (or Vice President: whitehouse.gov) Comments:   202-456-1111
    Switchboard: 202-456-1414
    FAX: 202-456-2461

    Congress

    1. house.gov to find your representative

    2. house.gov to find all the ways to contact him or her!

    Senate

    senate.gov You can also contact your Mayor or state Governor!

    Canada:

    Prime Minister

    House of Commons
    Ottawa, Ontario
    K1A 0A6
    Telephone: (613) 992-4211
    Fax: (613) 941-6900
    E-Mail: Harper.S@parl.gc.ca

    OR in Calgary (his local constituency):
    A203, 1600 - 90th Avenue S.W.
    Calgary, Alberta
    T2V 5A8
    Telephone: (403) 253-7990
    Fax: (403) 253-8203

    MP

    Find your MP at parl.gc.ca. You can also contact your provincial Premier or Mayor!

    UK:

    Prime Minister

    10 Downing Street,
    London,
    SW1A 2AA
    Fax: 020 7925 0918
    Email from: http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page821.asp

    MP

    Find your MP at upmystreet.com You can also contact your provincial Premier or Mayor!

    Everywhere Else

    This link (when you scroll down) has information for countries from around the world! crisisgroup.org

If you are planning a house party, please let Jenn know at jenn@thehpalliance.org