On April 28, more than 70,000 people in 15 major cities across the country gave up a night of comfort for a glimpse of what the displaced people of Northern Uganda have experienced for the past 11 years.

Gathering at the Fairplex in Pomona, the Los Angeles group of 7,000 --- primarily high school and college youth --- participated in "Displace Me," a simulation event to raise awareness of war and decimation in Northern Uganda.

The war in Uganda began in 1986 because the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel group lead by Joseph Kony, sought to overthrow the Ugandan government. As support for the group diminished, the LRA has resorted to abducting children to use as soldiers. In 1996, the government issued an ultimatum for all citizens to leave their homes and relocate to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in hopes of providing more security against the LRA rampages.

In 2003, three young men from San Diego --- Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey and Laren Poole --- journeyed to Uganda, where they witnessed the horrible living conditions of those in the displacement camps, as well as the Ugandans' fear of the LRA. Moved to action, the trio filmed the camps and created a documentary of life in Northern Uganda.

Since 2004, their documentary, "Invisible Children," has been seen by millions of people, many wanting to get involved. In response, Russell, now 28, founded Invisible Children Inc. (IC) to encourage individuals to become heroes.

At Displace Me, participants were told to bring a box of saltine crackers and a 1.5 liter bottle of water, which were collected upon arrival, as well as cardboard and art supplies. Once checked in, everyone began building huts out of cardboard and duct tape, personalizing their temporary homes with markers and spray paint.

"It has been said that this generation is apathetic," said Russell, addressing the participants. "It has been said that this generation doesn't really care about the rest of the world. It has been said that this generation doesn't really care about what's going on in Africa. I ask you tonight, do you care?"

Participants cheered in affirmation. "Our message is very simple tonight," Russell continued. "We want the war in Northern Uganda to end!"

Actress Melissa Fitzgerald ("West Wing"), part of a group called Voices of Uganda, felt compelled to get involved after seeing the documentary. She visited Uganda a year ago, and upon her return to the U.S. organized a group of friends in the movie industry to join in sharing the stories of children in the displacement camps with the world.

"We believe that if we come together, we have the power to make a difference, to make change," Fitzgerald told the audience. "I am moved by how many of you have shown up here to speak on behalf of people you have never met. It gives me hope not only for the people of Northern Uganda but hope for us all."

Fitzgerald shared stories of her experiences with the people of Uganda. Last year she worked with 19-year-old Joseph in a health center a few kilometers outside of an IDP camp. The LRA frequently raided the clinic, taking medicine and supplies. Most of the clinic's staff members left out of fear from these raids, yet Joseph remained.

Joseph told Fitzgerald that he was present during many of the raids. Even though it was scary he explained, "I must stay. I must help. These are our people, our children. They are our brothers and sisters."

Later, Fitzgerald said most of the people she met lost at least one family member to the war. "Despite what they had gone through," she noted, "their ability to experience joy despite the devastation they were living in really showed me the power of the human spirit."

Before leaving Uganda, one man approached Fitzgerald saying he was happy to know there was at least one person in America praying for him. Looking at the crowd, she smiled saying that thousands of Americans were joining together to pray for him. "I believe we need to put our prayers into our feet and start taking action."

Casey Dayton, 19, a student at Calvary Bible College in Murietta, Calif., said he is involved in Invisible Children because, "Jesus calls us to be servants and to be a light in the world. By being a light and showing you care, you are actually taking action and doing what's right. We need to put our faith into action. We could sit at home and say how wrong it (the war) is, but if we don't do anything, we're accountable."

Dayton is currently studying theology and later wants to be a missionary in Africa. "I'll go wherever God calls me," he explained. "Not enough people want to step up. People would rather be content, but Jesus says there is no greater thing you can do than to lay down your life for a friend."

The water and crackers brought by participants were eventually distributed to simulate the Ugandans' reliance on foreign aid for food supplies. In order to receive food and water, the youth imitated the way Ugandans work. The young women were responsible for supplying their groups with water, carrying one bottle of water at a time. The young men collected food for their groups, a maximum of three sleeves of saltines at a time.

In an interview with the Tidings, Russell explained why these youth are getting involved. "When they know about the story, they care about it and they want to do something," he said. "That apathy turns into activism. Tonight is a definite sign of that. This generation is coming alive and realizing their responsibility."

"We see so many bad things going on," noted Roukaya Hassanein, 17-year-old senior at Torrey Pines High School in San Diego. "I think our generation wants to take action. It's unfortunate that the war has been going on for 21 years. We're just beginning."

Through the program Schools for Schools, Invisible Children Inc. has enabled students across the country to get involved in fundraising projects (from bake sales to benefit concerts); in less than four months, Schools for Schools has raised over $500,000. For more information, visit www.invisiblechildren.com. Lindsay Trapp is currently working with Volunteers for Life in Los Angeles (www.volunteersforlife.org).