Reaction To 'Kony 2012' Video Mixed In Colorado

DENVER (CBS4)- The emotional film is the most successful viral video ever and it continues to be a sensation on Facebook and Twitter. But not everyone is behind the movement known as "Kony 2012."

The video is made by the nonprofit Invisible Children. It's made an unlikely star out of Joseph Kony, a Ugandan warlord notorious for heinous crimes against children.

"It was horrifying. It just hits you really hard. The video is just incredibly emotional," said student Erin Coughlin.

The 16-year-old Coughlin and 17-year-old Julia Bye were inspired and took to Facebook to motivate their peers.

"If they see it on every single social media network, it can create a difference and make people actually care about what's going on," said Bye.

The teens created "Paint Denver Red: Invisible Children Kony 2012." The plan is to plaster downtown Denver with anti-Kony signs on April 20.

"We're just hoping that people will know what's going on. Knowledge is power," said Coughlin.

Others point out the viral phenomenon is hardly a new issue.

"One might say it's 20 plus years too late," said University of Denver Professor Claude D'Estree.

He said the video does oversimplify a complicated conflict. Others have criticized Invisible Children for spending more money on marketing than on aid and for commercializing the cause with action kits and bracelets.

D'Estree also believes even if only a few people are motivated, it's not a lost cause.

"If you have to, you ride the fad and you take advantage of it to bring some kind of awareness. Will people next month remember the video? The vast majority will not," said D'Estree.

Another criticism of Invisible Children is that the organization provides funding to the Ugandan military, which has a record of human rights violations. The charity maintains the donations they receive to not go to support any government.