Kony 2012 Campaign Hits The Metro

Just days ago, most people never heard of Joseph Kony, but that is changing fast thanks to a viral YouTube video.

The video "KONY 2012" was up to nearly 50-million hits Thursday night. And even if you aren't learning about KONY 2012 on Facebook or Twitter, you likely will see signs popping up across the metro.

The video outlines the atrocities of Kony, in an effort to make the war criminal famous and pressure world leaders to arrest him.

They're stories News 9 captured firsthand with coverage of a "Pros for Africa" trip in 2010. Now, the world is learning the story.

"People forget and you have got to remind them and it takes numbers to remind them," said Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe in the video. 

Inhofe has been involved in the fight to capture Kony for years. He supports the group's effort to raise awareness.

Click Here to view the Kony 2012 YouTube Video

"It's just wrong to see that somebody actually has what it takes to kidnap kids from their parents, people who love them and make them kill,"  said Alisa Duncan, a student at Putnam City North High School. 

Duncan says there probably isn't a single student at their school who doesn't know of Kony. Many are making T-shirts and signs to raise money and awareness for the cause.

"We're so close in age to these kids. We put ourselves in their shoes," said Haleigh Posar.

Critics of the video say it over simplifies the situation in Uganda. They also question the amount of money "Invisible Children", the group responsible for making the video, actually sends to Africa.

The makers of the video are calling for supporters to blanket cities across the world with "KONY 2012" posters on April 20.