American Jewish World Service just released this bulletin requesting help in getting the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act through the Senate. I’m passing it along. If you can, please act by emailing your Senator now. Thanks.
We need your help to ensure that the Senate passes the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act as soon as possible. As a result of phone calls and e-mails from AJWS activists like you, the House of Representatives passed divestment legislation on July 31, 2007, with overwhelming bipartisan support. Days later, Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) introduced the same legislation in the Senate, with the intention of swift passage. But due to opposition from just a few powerful senators, the legislation failed to come to a vote.
We must ensure the Senate acts now!
This bill would prohibit U.S. government contracts with foreign companies whose business is supporting the Sudanese government and by extension helping underwrite violence and bloodshed throughout the region. It would also protect the right of states to divest from Sudan – to date, 20 states have enacted Sudan divestment policies.
Please CLICK HERE to email your senators and urge them to support the swift passage of H.R. 180 in the Senate.
Promoting divestment from Sudan is a critical component of AJWS’ broader Call to Action regarding U.S. policy on Darfur, about which you will continue to hear from us in the coming months.
Click here to read the entire Call to Action.
Thank you again for standing with the people of Darfur.
Sincerely,
AJWS Action Team
UPDATE: Letter from Alternet.
The people of Darfur need protection now, before it is too late. In July, the United Nations-African Union was authorized to significantly step up its peacekeeping force. The goal: greater access to humanitarian aid in a safer environment for the Darfuri people. But it is now October and the people of Darfur continue to live under unimaginable conditions as rape, pillage and genocide continue. Please sign the petition to push the U.S. government to make a difference at this crucial moment in the peacekeeping mission.
Don Hazen
Executive Editor, AlterNet.org
UPDATE: Letter from Save Darfur Coalition.
Did you know that the genocide in Darfur has been raging for over four years? Millions of Darfuri people continue to face the threat of murder, rape, torture, malnutrition, and displacement each day.
After years of delay, the U.N. finally authorized a joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission for Darfur in July.
Although this is a crucial step towards ending the violence, the peacekeeping mission will fail without significant support from the U.S. and the global community.
Please help us make sure that President Bush gets the message before it is too late for the peacekeepers to succeed!
Click here to sign the Save Darfur Coalition’s petition urging President Bush to take the steps needed to help end the genocide before more innocent lives are lost, more women and girls raped, or more villages are burned.
After years of frustration and delay, we have reached a crucial turning point for the people of Darfur. If we act now, we can help give the peacekeeping mission a chance to succeed.
Please join the Save Darfur Coalition in calling on the U.S. to:
·Urge the UN to deploy the recently authorized hybrid U.N.-A.U. peacekeeping force without further delays;
·Immediately fulfill its promise to support the peacekeeping force;
·Help ensure the Sudanese government’s full participation in a just and inclusive peace process;
·Work with the international community to increase humanitarian aid and to ensure access for the safe delivery of food, medication and other essential supplies.We must not stand by as the lives of millions hang in the balance – you can make a difference.
Click here now to take the first step by signing our petition to the White House.
Then please forward this message to your friends and family and ask them to join you in ensuring that the Darfur peacekeeping mission has a chance to succeed.
Thank you for your commitment to the people of Darfur.
Best regards,
Colleen Connors
Director of Communications, Save Darfur Coalition
