Looking Genocide in the Eye

Caesar Ricci and Victoria Smith have just returned from a trip to Chad where they met with and interviewed many Darfurians who have left Darfur and are living in refugee camps. Come meet and talk with Caesar and Victoria on Saturday, July 28 from 3-5 PM at VIVA! Bookstore, 8407 Broadway at the opening reception for the traveling photo exhibit "Looking Genocide in the Eye." The exhibit consists of pictures taken during Caesar's previous trip to Chad in December 2006. The photographs will be on display at VIVA! until August 28.

Texas Divests from Sudan

Thanks to all of you who made phone calls and wrote letters in support of this legislation!

SUDAN DIVESTMENT LEGISLATION PASSES TEXAS HOUSE
“Stop the Darfur Genocide Act” Garners Unanimous Support
AUSTIN, TEXAS (May 15, 2007) – Senate Bill 247, the “Stop the Darfur Genocide Act”, passed the Texas House of Representatives unanimously today. The bill has already cleared the Texas Senate and is on its way to the Governor’s desk, pending a procedural vote tomorrow. Governor Perry endorsed the targeted divestment legislation in his inaugural address and State of the State speech.
The bipartisan legislation, led by Rep. Corbin Van Arsdale (R – Tomball) and Senator Rodney Ellis (D – Houston), has over 85 co-authors and enjoys tremendous support from both ends of the political spectrum. Religious conservatives and liberal activists found common ground and formed an alliance to pass the legislation in Texas. The bill is similar to legislation that has already passed in 12 states and is currently pending in 15 others.
SB 247 would require the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) and the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS) to engage and possibly divest from certain companies doing business in Sudan who substantially benefit the central government, provide little benefit to Sudan’s citizens, and who have failed to address their role in indirectly facilitating Sudan’s genocide.
With an approximate value of $426 million in targeted fund holdings, the financial impact of the divestment effort on the Sudanese government is substantial. The amount represents about 0.59% of the assets under management by ERS & TRS.
Rep. Corbin Van Arsdale said, “Texans spoke loud and clear today. We don't want our money being used to facilitate genocide. As compassionate human beings, we can no longer turn our back to the slaughter in Darfur.”
Mark Hanis, Executive Director of the Genocide Intervention Network, said, “today’s actions by the Texas House of Representatives, combined with overwhelming bi-partisan support for Senate Bill 247, establish the state of Texas as a leader in the fight against the first genocide of the 21st Century. Texans should be proud to help lead the world in making ‘Never Again’ a reality.”

People of Darfur Photo Exhibit

Please be sure to go by the Campus of the San Antonio Jewish Community (JCC) at 12500 NW Military (corner of NW Military and Wurzbach Parkway) to see the heartfelt pictures taken by Caesar Ricci on his recent trip to the Gaga Refugee Camp in eastern Chad. You will get to see some of the people of Darfur and also see where they are now living. The exhibit includes information about what we can do to help. The photo exhibit will be at this location through June 20. We are in the process of scheduling additional locations in San Antonio and surrounding communities for the fall.

Global Days of Action for Darfur

We are now officially in the Global Days of Action for Darfur (April 23-30). The goal for the next week is for all of us to take action, to tell our leaders "Time Has Run Out for Talk" and that it is time to implement--and enforce--tough sanctions that compel the government of Sudan to allow the deployment of international peacekeepers.

What you can do:

1) Call the White House--(202) 456-1414. Tell the President you support the sanctions he spoke about in his speech on April 18th at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum and that you want them implemented by May 1 if international peacekeepers have not been deployed to Darfur.

Read President Bush's Speech

2) Support divestment and learn what you can do to keep your money from funding the genocide:

Let Senator Cornyn know you support the Sudan Divestment Authorization Act of 2007 (S. 831) he introduced that makes it clear it is constitutional for states to divest from companies doing business with the government of Sudan. 202-224-2934 Read what Senator Cornyn has to say about Darfur

Ask Senator Hutchison to support the Sudan Divestment Authorization Act of 2007 (S. 831) introduced by Senator Cornyn. 202-224-5922

Tell your state representative that you support Texas' divestment from companies doing business with the government of Sudan (HB 1569). Find your Representative

Learn more about divestment (and perhaps work to personally divest):

www.sudandivestment.org
www.fidelityoutofsudan.org

3) Contribute to humanitarian aid through the International Medical Corps--specify Chad/Darfur on the drop-down menu. Pictures of refugees on this page were taken at an IMC refugee camp in Chad.

4) Host a Gathering Against Genocide (GAG) in your home or at the San Antonio Holocaust Museum. These events are designed to educate others about what is happening in Darfur and spur them to action. You might show the movie Hotel Rwanda, then hold a letter writing session. Or, hold a "Dinner for Darfur" where you ask your guests for donations for humanitarian aid. There are endless opportunities for action. Be creative. The more people working to end this crisis, the more effective we will be.

5) If you are a gallery or restaurant owner or manager and would like to spread the word about Darfur, contact us about displaying photographs of refugees, taken by Caesar Ricci. We have framed, high-quality photographs ready for display. Help spread the word! Email SAIDC@earthlink.net for information.

6) Come to the next SAIDC meeting (May 22) to learn about what we have in the works, and contribute your ideas!

Remembering Peter Monod

We are sad to report that a founding member of SAIDC, Peter Monod, has passed away. Peter represented the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Please read more about this giving person at:

Peter Monod

He will be sorely missed.

Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Darfur Hearing

The Senate Commiteee on Foreign Relations held hearings concerning Darfur on April 11th. You can read what they heard at:

Darfur: A Plan to Stop Genocide

Lawrence Rossin from the Save Darfur Coalition was one of the speakers. His comments have good information on the latest thoughts from Save Darfur concerning what the US needs to be doing to help the people of Darfur.

YOM HASHOAH

Those of us attempting to stop the genocide in Darfur have much to learn from those who have survived a genocide. Jay Ipson, Holocaust survivor and director of the Virginia Holocaust Museum, will be the guest speaker at Yom Hashoah on Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at Congregation Agudas Achim. For more information go to the Jewish Federation of San Antonio.