This past weekend a large rally was held in New York on the Global Day for Sudan. Last year a very successful petition campaign was launched. Thousands of students, faculty, administrators and community members signed it.

The petition was presented to Gwen Moore who cited it as a reason she decided to symbolically step onto the property of the Sudanese Embassy in a peaceful act of civil disobedience, prompting her own arrest.

Marquette still must do more to promote peace in Darfur and stop the violence. One way to apply pressure to the Sudanese government is by divesting from Sudan using a targeted model. The government along with the Janjaweed militia is committing genocide. Using the targeted model means determining companies that are not helping the common people and solely benefit the government and then withdrawing any investments we have with them.

It has already been established that Marquette does not have any direct holdings in any company doing business in Sudan. However, Marquette's endowment does have indirect holdings in mutual funds, which may contain offending companies. Our holdings in the offending companies are helping the Sudanese government to pursue its campaign of forced displacement and genocide.

The Marquette administration is unwilling to actively pursue determining its exact holdings. If Marquette is to live up to its Catholic, Jesuit ideals we should certainly be aware of where our money is invested. Marquette should adopt a socially responsible investment policy that would outline when divestment is necessary.

A case such as the genocide in Darfur is such a case where divestment is necessary. By divesting, not only is money removed, but furthermore publicity is generated. This publicity keeps Darfur in the news and applies pressure for an international peacekeeping force to be deployed.

Students and faculty are willing to work with the administration to determine a policy and get it implemented before more lives are lost in Sudan. Marquette must not stand by and watch as the situation in Darfur worsens.

If people are interested in getting Marquette or the state of Wisconsin to divest from Sudan, they should come to a JUSTICE meeting to get involved or contact me at [email protected].

Styka is a senior in the College of Engineering.