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Area Sudanese Vote In Omaha - Some Wait 12 Hours Outside In Blizzard Before Casting Vote

Southern Sudanese wait in line in Omaha last Sunday to vote in Sudanese independence election. Photo Lual Deng Akoon

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-946238.mp3

Kansas City, Missouri – There are more Southern Sudanese living in the Kansas City area than anywhere in the United States except Nebraska.

So many from this area were ready to cast ballots when voting began in Sudan, and among refugees around the world, in last weeks historic election to create an independent Southern Sudan.

Omaha was the closest of the 8 sites established by the International Office of Migration. But when the Kansas City contingent arrived, the scene was disorganized and chaotic. One of the community leaders told Laura Ziegler many stood in long lines during a blizzard for up to 12 hours before reaching the ballot box.

But Lual Deng Akoon explained why it was so important he and his fellow Southern Sudanese make the trip.

As Kansas City grows and diversifies, journalists need to listen to the people, to your challenges and successes..As engagement and solutions editor, I’ll make sure we’re framing stories based on what we hear from you, and we’ll partner with communities so our stories help us understand and connect to one another. Email me at lauraz@kcur.org.
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