“Kony 2012,” a video by filmmaker Jason Russell documenting the inhumane actions of Joseph Kony (head of the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda, aka LRA), has picked up incredible steam worldwide due to a social media push to get the film’s message to the masses.
“’Kony 2012’ is a film and campaign by Invisible Children that aims to make Joseph Kony famous, not to celebrate him, but to raise support for his arrest and set a precedent for international justice,” a message posted on the Kony 2012 site, along with the video, reads.
Kony has reportedly abducted and forced approximately 66,000 children to fight for the LRA since the rebellion began in 1986, using girls as sex slaves and forcing boys into a life of violence as child soldiers.
The nearly half-hour video – released by Russell and the Invisible Children organization — was uploaded to YouTube on Monday and already boasts upwards of 36 million views, with stars taking to Twitter to spread the word. Here’s what they had to say:
Kim Karadashian: “#Kony2012 Wow just watched! What a powerful video! Stop Kony!!!”
Justin Bieber: “It is time to make him known. Im calling on ALL MY FANS, FRIENDS, and FAMILY to come together and #STOPKONY. this is not a joke. this is serious. TOGETHER we can #MakeAChange and #STOPKONY – help another kid in need!”
Diddy: “Dear Joseph Kony, I’m Gonna help Make you FAMOUS!!!! We will stop YOU #StopKONY! All 6,OOO,OOO of my followers RT NOW!!! Pls!”
Oprah: “Thanks tweeps for sending me info about ending #LRAviolence . I am aware. Have supported with $‘s and voice and will not stop.#KONY2012”
Chloe Grace Moretz: “Insane! It’s seriously amazing how Just yesterday not many people new about #StopKony #Kony2012 this is amazing!”
Beyonce: “Pls stop tweeting me about #stopkony I am supporting already”
Rihanna: “#KONY2012 Spread the word!!!”
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