Several Members of Congress and about a hundred advocates showed up — and were subsequently arrested — outside the Sudanese Embassy Monday morning to protest the ongoing genocide in Darfur, but the celebrity star of the movement was a no-show. (For more on the arrest, see Five Lawmakers Arrested in Darfur Protest.)

[IMGCAP(1)]Actress Mia Farrow was scheduled to attend today’s rally, held specifically to protest Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir’s ejection of more than a dozen humanitarian aid groups from the country. HOH hears Farrow canceled due to a scheduling conflict — but we note that the 64-year-old actress is hardly giving up the cause.

Farrow began a hunger strike today to protest al-Bashir’s action, and she even blogged about it on her official Web site.

“Honestly I have only the vaguest idea of what to expect since I’ve never done it before,— she wrote. “I woke up a half hour ago, earlier than I normally would because I feel either excited or nervous — I cant tell which. I said prayers for the refugees and prayers for those who are responsible for their suffering.—

While Farrow didn’t make it, plenty of Members did, including Democratic Reps. John Lewis (Ga.), Donna Edwards (Md.), Keith Ellison (Minn.), Lynn Woolsey (Calif.) and Jim McGovern (Mass.).

All spoke of the need for the United States and its allies to take action against al-Bashir’s recent actions — and were arrested after the protest for their civil disobedience.

“Words are cheap. Action is what we need today,— Ellison said.

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