Faith in Action

As many of you know, Young Clergy for Social Change has been actively involved in the movement to end the genocide in Darfur, Sudan, East Africa since our beginnings in March 2005.  We’ve had articles published, collected petitions, been guests on local radio stations, attended rallies in DC, and hosted a Baltimore for Darfur Night at Payne Memorial AME Church (thank you Pastor Qismat Alim!) 

As part of the movement to end the genocide in Darfur, other states and institutions have started divesting from Sudan.  The Sudan Divestment Task Force explains divestment this way:

“Hearkening back to the days of Apartheid South Africa, fiduciaries have explored the option of divesting from companies that either do business in Sudan or with the government of Sudan. Indeed, numerous states, cities, and universities have already divested while dozens of others are currently considering this option.”

Maryland is now one of the states considering divestment.  Senator Verna Jones, Chairwoman of the Legislative Black Caucus of MD, is lead sponsor on Senate Bill 543.  This bill would require the State of MD to create a list of companies that have money tied up with the government of Sudan.  Once those companies are identified, they will be encouraged to discontinue their financial relationship with the government of Sudan.  The goal is to exert so much financial pressure on the government (without harming the people) that it must take decisive action toward ending the violence and allowing the more than 2 million displaced Darfurians to return to their homes.

CALL TO ACTION:

Senator Jones’ bill will be heard on Thursday, March 8, 2007 8AM at the Miller Senate Building in Annapolis before the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.  Members of the general public will be allowed to attend and testify on this bill.  I plan to attend and testify, but also wanted to invite others.  As most of you are familiar with the process of testifying on legislation in Annapolis, you’ll know that members of the public who want to speak will probably need to sign up at least 30 minutes before the hearing.  Parking is available at the Navy Football Stadium for $5.00. (which includes a free shuttle ride to the Miller Senate Building)

Attending in person will be hard for some, so if you can’t be there in person please consider contacting members of the Budget and Taxation Committee (especially the Chair - Sen. Ulysses Currie from PG County).  Leading Africa Advocacy organization, Africa Action, has provided a very nice factsheet to draw from when speaking to or crafting letters for legislators.

Also, as there are many pastors receiving this message, please consider hosting some type of Darfur awareness event at your church or setting aside some time in your morning worship to pray for the people of Darfur, the African Union, the U.N., and/or the United States Government.  If there is any way that I can assist in these or similar efforts at your church, I would be more than happy to. 

Let us not grow weary in well doing, with God as our guide we will create the beloved community within the human family during our lifetime, if we faint not! 

Rev. Heber Brown, III
Young Clergy for Social Change
Baltimore, MD