If you were on campus last spring, you were probably asked to sign a petition by members of the Darfur Action Coalition of Marquette.

This petition sought to bring more attention to the genocide occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan and asked that the United States take a more active role in leading international aid efforts there.

A year later, little has changed. Although more aid has been pledged to the region, the violence in Darfur has been steadily increasing.

According to SaveDarfur.org, a peace agreement made between clashing factions in May 2006 has gone largely unheeded.

Factions of rebels and government troops fight each other and among themselves, leaving millions of civilians stranded in the crossfire.

Hundreds of thousands are dead and many times that number have been displaced from their homes.

It seems that the voice of the people alone cannot garner enough support from the nation and the international community to help put an end to the violence.

It's time to start speaking in a more universal language: money.Several corporations have maintained relations with the Sudanese government throughout the genocide.

Mostly involved in oil, energy and weapons manufacturing, these companies have largely ignored the humanitarian crisis occurring there.

They continue to earn money from exploiting a country that is tearing itself apart.

How can we stop this practice of funneling money into a war zone, not to help others, but instead to profit?

Divestment, a withdrawal of private and public investment from such companies and their means of investment, such as mutual funds, is the answer.

By withdrawing support from companies that invest in the Sudanese government, we can let the world know that we refuse to invest in a government which backs genocide.

California, Maine, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Oregon have passed laws in support of divestment efforts.

Several more states have legislation on the matter pending. Among these is Wisconsin.

Of even greater importance to the student body here at Marquette, is an ongoing effort to ensure that the university chooses to invest ethically.

As a Jesuit Catholic institution, Marquette and its students should strive to lead the community in ethical investing.

By raising awareness about not only the genocide occurring in Darfur, but also the unethical business practices going on there, Marquette students can hit those turning a blind eye to the situation in the pocketbook.

By doing your part and letting the state of Wisconsin know that you are concerned about divestment, you can help bring about a resolution to this crisis.

The best way to air your concerns with the state of Wisconsin is to pick up a pen and write to your state representative.

Genocide only stops when people rise up, refuse ignorance and take action.

By letting your government know that you will not tolerate the actions of businesses that exploit the situation in Sudan, you can do your part to save Darfur.

Stanley is a sophomore in the College of Engineering.