Faith in Action

“Think Globally - Act Locally”

 That’s the motto I live by when it comes to my personal activism and advocacy involvement. 

Many of you know that I have been raising my voice for the protection of the people of Darfur since learning what was going on a couple of years back.  I’ve attended rallies with my Young Clergy for Social Change colleagues; helped organize a Baltimore for Darfur event targeting the African American Faith community, preached sermons at my church, collected petitions, had articles published in local newspapers, and have been on radio shows trying to spread the word. 

More recently I have been supporting Sen. Verna Jones’ Darfur legislation in Annapolis.  This bill follows the trail of a national movement to divest from the government of Sudan.  Some of you remember a few posts ago, that I participated in the hearings and press conference connected to this bill.  As we are 7 days from the last day of this year’s legislative session; it looks as if this bill will pass.  As I read about the latest deadly attack on African Union peacekeepers in Darfur this morning, I am soberly clear that this bill will not stop the violence today or bring justice to my brothers and sisters there, but it will add to the growing pressure forced on the government in Sudan to be more cooperative with the world community that is calling for an end to this madness.  According to this Examiner article, Maryland State Pension Funds currently has an estimated $150 million invested in 14 companies that do business with Sudan. 

If passed, this bill would constitute another step in the direction of peace and justice in Darfur.