A Save Darfur press release from yesterday...
The Save Darfur Coalition and allied divestment advocates today [Monday] placed additional pressure on Boston-based Fidelity Investments with an advertising blitz in the Park Street T [i.e., subway] Station and television spots on local network and cable stations. The campaign, Divest for Darfur, is calling on Fidelity to divest its holdings in Sudan-linked companies that are helping fund the genocide, with the ultimate goal of pressuring the Sudanese government into seeking a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis in Darfur. Divestment advocates were joined by [state] Senators Harriette Chandler and Edward Augustus, who have been leading voices for urging divestment in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Darfur advocates said [that] Fidelity has thus far rebuffed the efforts of those urging the investment company to divest its holdings in Sudan-linked PetroChina.
“Since the thousands of letters, e-mails and phone calls from investors didn’t elicit a sincere response from Fidelity, we knew [that] it was time to turn up the volume and bring the message to their front door,” said David Rubenstein, executive director of the Save Darfur Coalition. “We will continue our calls for divestment – on the airwaves, on billboards, and through our awareness street teams – until Fidelity gets the message. Fidelity has an opportunity to lead their industry in divesting from Sudan-linked companies – an opportunity they have thus far squandered. The people of Darfur deserve so much more from such an influential corporation.”
National advertising and advocacy efforts are urging Fidelity and Berkshire Hathaway to divest from PetroChina, one of the “highest offenders” among companies helping fund the crisis in Darfur, according to research by the Sudan Divestment Task Force. In addition to the advertisements, and mobile billboards, coalition officials also said [that] “awareness teams” would have an ongoing presence at the Park Street station and other Boston locations, distributing literature and engaging commuters on the importance of divestment.
A national poll released last week showed that an overwhelming majority of Americans would withdraw their investments from firms even remotely associated with the genocide in Darfur. The survey by KRC Research found [that] Americans would discourage family, friends and coworkers from investing in firms with connections to the genocide in Darfur.
U.S. law prohibits most American companies from operating directly in Sudan. However, U.S. firms are legally able to invest in foreign companies that operate in Sudan, several of which make a significant contribution in Sudan’s economy, indirectly funding the genocide. According to research by the Sudan Divestment Task Force, Sudan has historically been responsive to economic pressure when diplomatic pressure has come up short.
A number of companies, including Siemens AG, ABB Ltd. and Rolls-Royce PLC, have already cut their ties to Sudan in light of the genocide. Eleven states have already passed legislation divesting from Sudan, and a bill in the Massachusetts Senate has been endorsed by Gov. Deval Patrick. The University of Massachusetts [Foundation] announced last week [that] it was withdrawing its funds invested in Sudan. Harvard University pulled its funds from Sudan in 2005.
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