Local organizers say the vigil is in response to the escalating crisis in the DRC
In response to the escalating crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Atlanta activists, community members, and allied organizations will gather Sat., Feb. 1, at 3 p.m. for a vigil in solidarity with the Congo. The demonstration will be held at the Georgia State Capitol Building, demanding an end to the violence and foreign intervention in the region.
The battle for Goma, the capital of North Kivu, has intensified, with reports claiming that the Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) and their proxy, M23, have taken control of parts of the city. Despite ongoing resistance by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and local Wazalendo self-defense groups, misinformation and skewed narratives continue to dominate international media.
“The Congolese people are fighting not just for their land, but for their sovereignty and dignity,” said local community organizer, Shanae Stover. “This crisis is not just about one city—it is about decades of exploitation, resource plundering, and foreign interference that has devastated the region. We must stand in solidarity and amplify their voices.”
In an official press release statement to media, organizers say Saturday’s rally will aim to:
- Raise awareness about the humanitarian and political crisis in the DRC
- Demand an end to foreign interference and exploitation of Congo’s resources
- Mobilize action to support Congolese-led solutions and resistance efforts
Participants say they will gather on the steps to the capitol carrying signs, chanting slogans, and calling on U.S. policymakers and international bodies to end their complicity in the crisis. The rally will feature speeches from local organizers, Congolese community members, and solidarity activists, as well as cultural performances and direct calls to action.
“We are witnessing another chapter in the long history of imperialist intervention in Africa,” said Kwame Wilburg, a member of Friends of the Congo. “The same forces responsible for war, displacement, and instability in the Congo are linked to U.S. military partnerships with Rwanda and Uganda. It is our duty to expose these connections and demand an end to these policies.”
Organizations wishing to sign onto the demonstration can do so via tinyurl.com/Atlanta4Congo
