Many of us are horrified by the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of Sudanbut feel powerless to effect real change. We've been to the rallies, contributed to humanitarian aid, and written to the President, but the killing continues. Now, there is something new, important, and powerful each of us can do -- protest to Fidelity and other institutions using our money to invest in companies that help fund the genocide in Darfur.

Go to www.fidelityoutofsudan.com for details and to sign the petition.

The government of Sudan continues to pursue genocide in Darfur, frustrating long years of diplomatic efforts to bring peace and protection to civilians there. Sudan's oil revenue is providing arms and funding for the genocide, not economic development for the poor people of Sudan.

Despite the atrocities in Darfur, Fidelity, through its Contrafund and other mutual funds, is one of the largest investors in two of the biggest companies in Sudan’s oil industry: PetroChina and Sinopec. Additionally, Fidelity has been increasing its investments in these companies in spite of the ongoing genocide. Since Fidelity’s investments are so large, divestment action from tens of thousands of Americans will put real pressure on Fidelity, oil companies operating in Sudan, and thereby on the government of Sudan.

Each of us can control how our money is invested and how our advisors invest our money. In memory of the 400,000 who have died in Darfur, and in hopes that the genocide ends soon, our campaign aims for 400,000 people to object to Fidelity and other institutions investing in companies that help to fund the genocide in Darfur. Please join the dozens of colleges, universities, states, cities, and many public figures and individuals who have already used targeted divestment as a tool in the fight to save Darfur.

Here’s what you can do:
  • Go to www.fidelityoutofsudan.com and sign the petition.
  • Call or write Fidelity and let them know that you don't want them to continue investing in companies that are helping fund the genocide in Darfur.
  • Object to your personal money being used in this way and move your money to investments that do not support genocide.
  • Ask your employer to remove PetroChina, Sinopec, and Fidelity from the company 401k plan.
  • Tell your friends and family to join the campaign. Forward this email. This important initiative will succeed only if we can mobilize all those who share our concern for the people of Darfur. 

You probably get many emailed requests to take action, but few offer as powerful an action as this new way to fight to save Darfur. Please join us and become one of the 400,000 Voices for 400,000 Lives. Together we can save Darfur.