SAN DIEGO — The US pressure group that caused an internet sensation with a documentary calling for the arrest of Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony posted a follow-up Thursday and urged an April 20 day of action.
Invisible Children, a San Diego-based non-government group, said “KONY 2012: Beyond Famous” had been made in response to criticism it received after the original film went viral last month.
“One month later, we are releasing this film to explain the creation of the campaign, the progress that’s already been made and what we can all do now to support the ongoing effort to stop the violence of the LRA,” said Invisible Children director Ben Keesey, according to AFP.
The LRA is the Kony-led Lord’s Resistance Army, whose ruthless rebels were infamous for mutilating civilians and abducting children to use as soldiers and sex slaves during their two-decade war in northern Uganda.
The rebels have been forced out of Uganda and since 2006 have been operating in neighboring countries.
The original 30-minute video, “KONY 2012,” has been viewed by more than 100 million people worldwide.
Anticipation for the sequel has been high, despite criticism of the original and related turmoil, FOX News reported.
Jason Russell, director of the first film, suffered a very public mental breakdown and has since been hospitalized.
Critics have said the organization and its video mislead viewers about current events in Uganda and promote “slacktivism”– in which people passively post links in support of a cause without taking any meaningful action.
In an on-screen message on the new 20-minute film, Invisible Children said, “On the 20th of April, we will turn this digital revolution into something more and show the world who we really are.”
Invisible Children urged supporters to wear their “KONY 2012” shirts all day, lobby for Kony’s arrest and “after work, school, or whatever it is you do all day, meet up with your team and do three hours of local service.”
Kony is accused by the International Criminal Court of the rape, mutilation and murder of civilians as well as forcibly recruiting child soldiers.
Regional armies launched a hunt in 2008 to capture Kony after he repeatedly refused to sign a peace deal with Uganda. Kony is believed to be in the Central African Republic, protected by around 300 fighters, according to AFP.
The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor on March 31 voiced confidence that Kony would be arrested this year, praising the role of Invisible Children’s online campaign.