Sean Lewis-Faupel '08 stood before the audience and spoke to the crowd with passion."On this day the world turns its head to Darfur and says 'we will not forget you,'" he said. "Never again means never again."

Lewis-Faupel was one of approximately 120 Brandeis students who gathered at Boston City Hall Plaza Thursday as part of an international solidarity fast for Darfur organized in part by the Brandeis chapter of STAND (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur), a national coalition that includes over 200 schools across the United States and Canada.

STAND's rally called on supporters to sacrifice a luxury item for the day and donate the money saved to a humanitarian or relief organization.

Lewis-Faupel said that by fasting, he joined with thousands of others, including high profile individuals like Desmond Tutu, Bette Midler and Bill Cosby, to show solidarity with the people of Darfur.

STAND collaborated with the Massachusetts Save Darfur Coalition-an alliance of 134 faith-based, humanitarian, and human rights organizations with a membership of over 130 million Americans-to reserve the City Hall Plaza.

Although the spacious venue made the turnout appear small and about 30 signed-up students didn't show, event director Weldon Kennedy said he was impressed by the number of Brandeis students in attendance.

"The turnout [of Brandeis students] was really incredible, especially for downtown on a school day," he said. "It really shows a commitment on campus to this issue."

Kennedy said the rally had lofty goals, and that STAND had hoped to have 1,000 in the crowd. He expressed particular disappointment with the turnout from other universities in the Boston area, especially those with parallel STAND organizations like Harvard and Tufts Universities.

Several speakers stressed the power of generating a grassroots movement to end the genocide in Darfur. Many called for an international peacekeeping force in the Sudan, as well as divestment from companies that do business with the Sudanese government.

Kate Auspitz, issues director for U.S. Congressman Michael Capuano (D-Mass.), read a statement of support signed by senators Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.), as well as the remainder of the Massachusetts congressional delegation.

The statement criticized the United States government for failing to take a stronger stance against the genocide, and said the country must work with the international community "to uphold the promise of never again."

"We hope that your vigil will awaken the consciences of all who see and hear you, and inspire them to demand more of our government," the statement read.

The rally also included musical performances by students from the Berklee College of Music and a rap performed by Jamele Adams, Brandeis' assistant dean of Student Life in support of diversity.

In closing, speakers asked rally participants to pledge to make two weekly phone calls to the White House urging the government to take more action in Darfur. Dozens of students on the City Hall steps took out their cell phones and dialed.

Kennedy said STAND hopes to spread awareness of the Darfur genocide to the general public through events like the Boston rally.

"Darfur is a hot issue for university students, but it hasn't grabbed the attention of the public," he said.

Kennedy worked with other STAND members over the summer to create a Web site at www.darfurfast.org. The Web site initially focused on Thursday's fast, but it also provides background information about the crisis in Sudan and encourages viewers to donate to relief efforts.

Kennedy said the Web site helped disseminate information quickly and in doing so facilitated the creation of similar events in support of Darfur. He said the site received 87,000 hits on the day of the fast from people in over 20 different countries.

"An event is more press-worthy and more participants are able to come out if they feel they are part of something big," Kennedy said. "The Web site helped make it big.