Resources for Darfur
Resources to educate and advocate on behalf of the victims in Darfur
At the Southeastern Iowa Synod Assembly in June, a resolution was adopted which asked congregations “to seek ways to educate and advocate on behalf of the victims in Darfur.” In Darfur, Sudan, an estimated 400,000 civilians have been murdered; more than 200,000 people have been forced from their homes; and more than 3.5 million people have been internally displaced since the genocide began in February of 2003. On April 1, 2006, President Bush proclaimed that “our nation is appalled by the genocide in Darfur, Sudan,” and “we grieve for the men, women, and children of Darfur, victims of atrocities arising from a civil war that pits a murderous militia against a collection of rebel groups.” The Darfur Peace Agreement signed May 5, 2006, by the Sudanese government and by the largest faction of a rebel group, has failed to stop the murdering. The adoption of the resolution invites congregations to offer prayers during worship for the people of Darfur. Following is also a listing of resources to use in congregations:
ELCA International Disaster Response
ELCA Advocacy for Darfur
Save Darfur Coalition
American Jewish World Service
Genocide in Darfur
Targeted Sudan Divestment Legislation
Sudan Divestment legislation was introduced in the Iowa House in early February. House File 230 was referred to the House State Government Committee and a sub-committee was assigned. HF 230 is sponsored by Representative Dawn Pettengill of Mount Auburn. HF 230’s co-sponsors are Representative Wayne Ford of Des Moines, House Speaker Pat Murphy of Dubuque, Representative Deb Berry of Waterloo, Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell of Ames, Representative McKinley Bailey of Webster City, and Representative Tom Schueller of Maquoketa. If you know any of these individuals, please let them know how much you appreciate their support for targeted divestment.
Many people have already emailed the members of the sub-committee. Thank you for your help because we are starting to break through, but we need to keep it up. Remember that the legislators are hearing from many people on many different topics. So, the more Iowans the legislators hear from about targeted Sudan divestment, the better. The more times they hear about it, the better, as well. For more information about contacting key legislators, please click here.
