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Do you live near a city where the headquarters of a consumer electronics company is based? (California, Washington, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Texas or North Carolina).  If so, then write a letter to your local news editor about the conflict in eastern Congo, and specifically address how the company in your city could be fueling the deadliest conflict in the world. Even if you don’t live in one of these cities, you can still write a letter to your editor. As one of their readers, they want to know what YOU think they should be reporting on.

Tips for writing a letter to the editor:
1.    Identify yourself and why you are qualified to comment
2.    Keep it short.
3.    Make it punchy and sharp.
4.    Know the style and format of where you are sending your letter.

We've provided you with some talking points, and you can also use our letter to electronics companies as a guide. Just be sure to put it into your own words!

Step 1 - Select a Recipient

Letter to the Editor

The Letter to the Editor Section is one of the most widely read sections of the newspaper and can reach a large audience. It allows community members to comment on the way issues are being addressed in the media and to influence the topics the local paper may choose to cover. Elected officials often monitor this section of the newspaper and take notice of constituents' opinions.

We've made it easy for you to contact your local newspaper with your views, but editors want to hear from you in your own words.

Look for papers within miles of zip code

Step 2 - Write your message





Click on a point to add it to the letter.
  • The deadliest war since World War II is taking place right now in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and rape is being used by various armed groups as a weapon in this war.

  • These armed groups are using rape as a weapon of terror to intimidate local populations and gain control over a nearby mine or collect taxes on the transport of the minerals.

  • The many armed groups and military units that are perpetuating the violence in Congo and committing war crimes are making millions of dollars on the illegal trade in Congo’s minerals – we call them the 3 T’s (tin, tungsten, and tantalum).

  • These minerals are essential to make our cell phones, computers and other electronics function.

  • Congo's mineral wealth should be a source of prosperity and stability for the Congolese people, not a source of exploitation and violence.

  • [Company X] uses these minerals in their products. They have an obligation to ensure that they are not helping finance armed groups or contributing to human rights abuses and crimes against humanity along their supply chain.

  • The Enough Project’s RAISE Hope for Congo campaign is calling on electronics companies to pledge to make their products conflict free. [Company X] shouldn’t waste another minute to take that pledge. Too many lives are at stake.

    • ENOUGH! A project to end genocide and crimes against humanity
    1225 Eye Street NW, Suite 307, Washington, DC 20005
    Phone: (202) 682-1611 • Fax: (202) 682-6140

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