"Global Night Commute"

Thousands of people across the country are taking a new approach to ending a war abroad-even here locally. It`s called "Global Night Commute"- six other countries are involved but today, people here in Northwest Arkansas say they`re also committed to helping the children of Uganda. "It`s a human problem of all ages," says one marcher. "Invisible Children" began three years ago when three filmmakers went to Uganda and uncovered the story of the "night commuters"-- children who were leaving their villages at night to keep from being kidnapped. To date, 30,000 children have been abducted and forced into war. That`s why right now, thousands are marching and will sleep outside on behalf of the invisible children of Uganda. Locally, three different groups walked Saturday. The first group began in Rogers and walked to Springdale to bring awareness. "It`s all about the big picture... just getting the kids safe, putting an end to the LRA and other stuff that goes on over there... and to get their government to take a stand and start protecting these children," says organizer Shaun Malik. Marchers say it`s time for Americans to become more educated. "If you have some country in Africa, its a different story. Its a third world country, so no one really wants to pay attention. People think its normal, thats what happens there, but no... thats not normal. Were all human beings- no matter where we are, what color we are, what our faith may be... were all the same," says Malik. Jonathan Bruce says, "These kids should be on a playground or something, running around, playing hide-and-seek... not holding a gun, marching to fight their own brother." Around 6:30 Saturday tonight, the three groups met up in Fayetteville and marched down College Avenue to Dickson Street. Organizer Shaun Malik says they hope people will understand that these children need our help. "These parents in Uganda, they love their children just as much as our parents love us. Theyre no different than we are." The group will spend the night on Old Main Lawn to simulate the experience of the children in Uganda. Events are also going on in Little Rock and Siloam Springs.