Actor Martin Sheen is so inspiring as US President Bartlet on the weekly American TV series The West Wing, some wish he’d really run for office. Though he has no such political aspirations, after Wednesday night’s season finale of the top rated drama, some viewers will get a chance to hear Sheen’s personal views on one contested piece of legislation, the Clean Diamonds Act.
In an advert shot for the international relief organization World Vision, Sheen lobbies for new legislation requiring country-of-origin labels on diamonds and banning imports from African mines controlled by violent rebel groups.
“Buy a diamond, and you may be supporting terrorism in other countries,” Sheen says in the ad. “ The Clean Diamonds Act can stop the killing.”
The trade in diamonds, most notably in Africa, has been used to finance several wars over the last ten years. Over 100 congressmen, led by Demorcratic Representative Tony Hall of Ohio, have co-sponsored the bill, which bans the importing of diamonds not traceable to a legal supplier. As the world’s largest consumer of diamonds, some believe the US has inadvertantly “sponsored” conflict elsewhere.
The 30-second video also depicts graphic shots of victims of the troubles and is scheduled to air in the Washington, DC, area. World Vision officials are currently in talks with other local TV stations to air the spot.
Sheen is a long-time political activist who protested US involvment in the Gulf War and has fought for environmental causes, anti-nuclear initiatives, and anti-death penalty legislation.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
