Celebrity Tweets: ‘Kony 2012’

Documentary filmmaker Jason Russell and Invisible Children have brought Joseph Kony to the public’s attention.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Kony is a Ugandan rebel leader of the Lord's Resistance Army who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes against humanity. These crimes include murder and taking over 66,000 children, since 1986, to fight for the rebel group and to be sex slaves and child soldiers who massacre their own families.

A 30-minute “Kony 2012” video was posted on YouTube. It has gone viral and was viewed more than 40 million times since Thursday. The video features interviews with children and educates viewers on what Kony’s rebel group is doing to the people of Africa.

The mission is to “make Kony famous” as a means of getting him captured. Celebrities have caught on to the mission and have taken to Twitter to inform their followers and trend #StopKony.

“PLEASE go to http://www.Invisiblechildren.com Even if its 10 minutes... Trust me, you NEED to know about this! #1LOVE,” wrote Rihanna.

“Hope everyone is having a beautiful day! Wanted to ask everyone to follow @St0pKony2k12 it's really important!” wrote Hilary Duff.

“Hello everyone! Can it ever be right to assemble a child army to terrorize people? Surely not,” wrote Russell Brand.

“This is beyond eye opening!! u won't believe this! Watch now & lets get involved now!! tell me why u think? Alicia Keys wrote.

“I'm going to ask EVERY PERSON WHO FOLLOWS ME to Please watch this video. Its incredibly important, I know that every one of you will be effected by its message,” wrote Vampire Diaries’ Nina Dobrev. “I wont even have to ask you to RT because I know you will. #stopkony and save the children.”

“I've got close to 1.9 Million followers, if you all watch this and help in the smallest way it will make the BIGGEST LIFE SAVING DIFFERENCE,” she added.

“Thank you @ninadobrev! I Just watched this.IF there is1thing you do today:PLS WATCH THIS&RT-it just changed my world,” wrote Ian Somerhalder. “WOW,you are the most powerful force in the world.View count jumped from 4.28 million to 7.3 million in 45 minutes-spread the important mssg!” he added.

“Everybody who's tweeting me about #LRA I've helped. Gave Major dollars had Invisible Children on my show 2x,” wrote Oprah Winfrey. “Was trying to get people's attention yrs. ago. But glad people are waking up to his atrocities and want to stop him.”

“You must all see this!!!! NOW if u dont know what #StopKONY2012 is about watch this. rt to da world!” wrote Diddy.

“Dear Joseph Kony, I’m Gonna help Make you FAMOUS!!!!” he added. “We will stop YOU #StopKONY! All 6,OOO,OOO of my followers RT NOW!!! Pls!”

“Just watched the KONY 2012 video. In tears and I want to help make a difference. Make KONY famous,” wrote Kourtney Kardashian.

“#Kony2012 Wow just watched! What a powerful video! Stop Kony!!!” wrote Kim Kardashian.

“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,” wrote Justin Bieber. “TOGETHER we can #MakeAChange and #STOPKONY - help another kid in need!”