New York Out of Darfur!

Do you live in New York?

Do you know that New York State's money is tangled up in oil companies that are pouring money into Omar Al-Bashir's pockets, funding a genocide?

TODAY, New York is considering legislation to participate in targeted divestment, which will remove our public funds from indirectly supporting genocide.

Senator Joe Robach and Assemblyman Darryl Towns have written targeted divestment legislation that will take back New York State's dollars from companies that fund the genocide in Darfur.

However, this bill has not been introduced because the New York State Comptroller has not released a "Fiscal Note" which is needed to allow the legislation to go to a vote.

You can help today by calling New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli:

1. Dial (518) 474-4044
2. Say: I care about the genocide in Darfur, and I urge you to release the "Fiscal Note" and allow the legislation to be introduced by Senator Robach and Assemblyman Towns. This action will be vital in helping us stop the genocide

Like Elizabeth said, its time for advocacy beyond activism!
Don't just feel good, DO good!

Sudan denied AU position: no honors for supporters of genocide.

The African Union retained its integrity this week when it denied Sudan's bid to head the AU for 2007. The leadership position was instead given to Ghana, and the Union Chief, Alpha Oumar Konaré, used his opening speech to attack Sudan for orchestrating the attacks on civilians. "We appeal to the government of Sudan to stop attacking and bombarding Darfur and restore peace," he said.

This comes shortly after the few remaining aid organizations have declared in a report to the UN that they are just "holding the line" and may be forced to leave because of increasing violence. One aid worker said, "We simply cannot do our jobs if our lives are threatened."

Yesterday, two major French aid organizations abandoned their stations, leaving behind 130,000 Internally Displaced Persons after two of their workers were brutally raped, and others held at gun point, while rebel factions stole materials, trucks, computers, and cell phones. Aid organizations have requested security assistance to allow them to continue their vital work, but none has been granted.