Sudan Divestment Legislation Passes Virginia State Senate: Ask Your
Delegate To Support House Bill 556!
Dear Anti-Genocide Activist,

Today at 3:30PM the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Compensation
and Retirement will consider House Bill 556, targeted Sudan divestment
legislation. The legislation would require the state to sell its
investments in the companies that operate in Sudan and fund the
genocide. This legislation has already passed the Senate and has a
crucial hearing today!

Please call members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on
Compensation and Retirement and ask them to join the President,
Congress and the Virginia Senate in supporting Sudan divestment.

Say "Support House Bill 556!"

Chairman Chris Jones
804-698-1076

Delegate Bob Tata
804-698-1085

Delegate Clarke Hogan
804-698-1060

Delegate Riley Ingram
804-698-1062

Delegate Johnny Joannou
804-698-1079

SCRIPT:
I am a constituent calling to urge that Delegate __________ ensure
that the investments of the Commonwealth of Virginia are genocide free
by supporting House Bill 556. Twenty two states have passed policies
of Sudan divestment, ensuring that they are not indirectly
contributing to the ongoing genocide in Darfur which has killed over
200,000 people. Virginia should join these states by condemning the
ongoing genocide.

SAMPLE EMAIL:
Dear Delegate ___________,

As a Virginian, I am deeply troubled by the ongoing government-
sponsored genocide currently being executed in Darfur, Sudan. For the
first time in history, genocide has been officially declared while
atrocities are still ongoing. The government of Sudan has
systematically slaughtered non-Arab African populations in the
country's Darfur region for over three years.

I find it deplorable that Virginia's money is helping to fund the
genocide in Sudan. I am writing to urge you to co-patron and support
HB 556. This bill is "targeted Sudan divestment" legislation focusing
only on foreign companies that have a business relationship with the
government, impart minimal benefit to the country's underprivileged,
and have failed to respond to attempts at shareholder engagement.
Additionally, this critical legislation contains safeguards that
project the state's pension funds and allow them to maintain their
prudent investor responsibilities.

22 states have already passed or adopted policies of Sudan divestment.
15 of these states have passed the same language as HB 556.

On New Year's Eve, President Bush signed the Sudan Accountability and
Divestment Act which authorizes states to adopt policies of targeted
Sudan divestment. This law was passed unanimously. Given the Sudanese
government's historical sensitivity to economic pressure and the
ongoing genocide in Darfur, I urge you to support House Bill 556!

Sincerely,
Name
Address

CONTACT YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS TODAY!

NOT ON MY WATCH! NOT ON MY DIME!
--Max Croes
Sudan Divestment Task Force

P.S. Help us advocate for state divestment in Virginia and across the
country. Make your tax-deductible contribution today.

 TALKING POINTS:
Virginia should not be invested in companies that operate in Sudan and
provide the government the money that they need to fund the genocide.
Please Support House Bill 556!
22 states have passed or adopted policies of Sudan divestment!
President Bush recently signed the Sudan Accountability and Divestment
Act, this law authorizes states divestment from Sudan and recognizes
divestment as an effective way to pressure the Government of Sudan to
end the genocide.

Forward
Forward this message to friends and family and help grow the anti-
genocide movement!
  (804) 698-1076
  (804) 698-1076

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