Why isn't the US doing more in Darfur? Barak Obama brought up ending the genocide in his victory speech the other day, George Bush mentioned it on his trip to Africa, but no one is actually following through. Governments are preventing their athletes at the Olympic Games from speaking out on China's involvement in Darfur, all the while Chad is declaring a state of emergency to try to save itself from the terrorists who caused the genocide, and are now exporting their campaign to other countries.

Michigan has the potential to do something. House Bill 4854 (and its Senate complement) would take Michigan's money out of the genocide and urge the supporters of these atrocities to change their ways. The $150 million of taxpayer money that is invested through the state public pension funds would be used to urge the foreign companies that give the Sudanese government its blank check to murder thousands to instead use their money and clout to end the genocide and help the civilians. If they refuse, Michigan will join with 24 other states in the country and withdraw its funds.

However, this legislation is going nowhere. The House of Representatives came together to pass it, 108-2, drawing the support of both Democratic and Republican leaders. However, a couple of activist Senators have refused to even take the measure up to a vote, letting it languish for months in the Appropriations committee.

Senator Clarke (D-Detroit, sponsor of the Senate version) issued this statement on the bill: "My legislation requires the State of Michigan to take appropriate action to divest from Sudan and to prohibit any future investment until the genocide has stopped and peace is restored. It is time for the State of Michigan to help eliminate the atrocities against human life occurring in Darfur. I urge swift passage of this legislation"

Senator Mark Schauer (D- Battle Creek, Senate Democratic Leader) has much the same view, saying, "The violence in the Darfur region of Sudan has gone on for several years, but without proper funding this horrible situation would decrease and hopefully be extinguished. For this reason, I support Senate Bill 0555 which would keep state funds in the retirement investments of state employees away from businesses with interests in Sudan."

We talk about genocides in Rwanda and Serbia. We all lament the Holocaust. We have the opportunity to do something now in Darfur, but the moment is slipping away. We are still funding the companies who keep this atrocity going. Please press the Senate to pass Sudanese Divestment legislation. Let us not allow Darfur to go down as another black mark on humanity.
Tell your Senator to move this bill! Go to www.divestsudannow.com !