E! NEWS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW – KONY 2012 FOUNDER/ DIRECTOR SPEAKS WITH E! NEWS TONIGHT

KONY 2012 FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR JASON RUSSELL SPEAKS WITH E! ABOUT HOW HIS MOVEMENT TRANSFORMED INTO A GLOBAL PHENOMENON IN LESS THAN 72 HOURS

“He [KONY] is listening; he is watching as the world unites….he is debating whether he surrenders or not. We want to bring him alive to the international tribunal court.” – Jason Russell on LRA Leader Joseph Kony

When Jason Russell’s YOUTUBE video went viral less than 72 hours ago, garnering over 40 million views, it was a moment the humanitarian had been ready for, for nearly a decade. “This is nine years in the making. We wanted to make it a viral video; that was the intention.” KONY 2012 aims to raise international awareness about the atrocities in Uganda and to make Joseph Kony – a mass murderer who terrorizes civilians in the developing country– ‘famous’ for his actions and brought to swift justice.

During his first television interview, Russell explained to Catt Sadler how KONY 2012 came to be and what viewers can do to support this desperate cause that has captured the world by storm.

“I am not a celebrity. I don’t want the attention. It’s about humanity…it’s about uniting for justice…this is why I am here,” Russell told Sadler. He continues, “It’s been 24 hours and it’s crazy. I’ve gotten a lot of phone calls and text messages and we are trying to be strategic.”

Celebrities are reaching out to Russell in droves and thousands of people from around the world are asking people at his organization, “Invisible Children,” how they can help. “Rihanna had a meeting yesterday and they are strategizing to make sure everyone know about this in a powerful way,” Russell told E!.

Zooey Deschanel, Oprah, Ellen, Kristen Bell and Ed Helms have also stepped up to the plate and pledged to support KONY 2012.

As with many messages or videos that go viral, it’s not just Hollywood that listens. Russell tells Sadler, “It’s amazing, because this year it [KONY 2012] is transcending politics. We are excited that the White House Administration is supporting KONY 2012….this is a human issue, we don’t have to debate….we just want awareness.”

When asked about those who have criticized KONY 2012 for “oversimplifying” the situation in Uganda, Russell says, “Everyone has to do their own research. This is a complex war with multiple layers….it’s not simple.”

To see Jason Russell’s exclusive interview be sure to tune-in to E! News TONIGHT, March 8th at 7:00 and 11:30 PM.