SUDANARAMA! What is the best way to end the genocide in Sudan?

A few weeks ago, I was heartened to learn that the University of California Board of Regents had voted to divest from Sudan.

Soon after that, I noticed the obnoxious ad supplement promoting Sudan that appeared in The New York Times. The empty commercial propaganda reminded me of a similar ad supplement that vainly tried to prettify apartheid-era South Africa in the early 1980s, when divestment was brought to bear on its racist regime.

According to SudanDivestment.Com, three states have already divested from Sudan: New Jersey, Illinois, and Oregon. New York is among twelve states where divestment legislation has also been introduced.

So is divestment a valid strategy for bringing about positive change in Sudan? Should there be a peace envoy for Sudan such as George Mitchell, as Human Rights First suggests? Should you sign this Human Rights First petition? How about sending a simple epostcard to President Bush, to remind him to live up to his words on Darfur? And what about attending the Rally to Stop Genocide in Washington DC on April 30, 2006?

Perhaps answers can be found on Wednesday, April 19 at 7 at the free panel discussion on The Best Hope for Peace in Darfur to be held at The New York Society for Ethical Culture. Nicholas Kristof is one of the scheduled speakers. Get there early to ensure admission!

Here's Nat Hentoff on the April 30 demonstration. Here's Hentoff on the banality of evil in Sudan.

And here's a public service announcement featuring Don Cheadle and Paul Rusesabagina. Get the picture!



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