By Brian Zanzonico
Outside Elmont high school, Assemblyman Tom Alfano vowed to take steps as a member of the Assembly's Banking Committee that would divest all New York State money from Sudanese businesses.
Alfano made good on word, passing a resolution in the assembly that called for immediate action by the United Nations to intervene in the genocide in Darfur. Last week, he announced with State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli that the New York State Common Retirement Fund will begin a series of steps to increase pressure on the Sudanese government to end the genocide in Darfur.
One of the organizers of last year's rally, H. Frank Carey social studies department chairman Marc Isseks, said squeezing the Sudanese government could be the first steps in what he hopes is a giant leap toward ending the atrocities.
"It is important for our students to see that their elected representatives are dedicated to seeing an end to injustice," Isseks said via e-mail. "These two men are proving that global problems can be addressed on a local level. I believe that a divestment
campaign can be a very effective way of getting the Sudanese government to comply with the demands of the United Nations and the global community. This practice helped to bring an end to apartheid in South Africa, and will hopefully bring justice and peace to the people in Darfur."
According to Alfano, DiNapoli's plan will be implemented in three phases:
n Extensive research to identify companies the fund has invested in that might be engaging in objectionable practices in the Sudan. All managers of funds must research their holdings and report to the Comptroller and initiate Sudan-free investments.
n Actively engage those companies identified identified through the fund's research and encourage them to withdraw from Sudan or to begin taking substantial action aimed at providing carefully constructed humanitarian aid and relief for the Sudanese people.
n Develop strategies of divestiture from those companies that he determines have failed to take substantial action, if following a process of due diligence he determines that is consistent with his fiduciary responsibilities.
Sewanhaka social studies chairman Matthew Schwartz called companies divesting in Sudan "important," and one of the necessary ways to bring a government to its knees.
"Sometimes the best way to bring about change is not militarily, but economically, putting on economic pressure," he said.
The actions to be taken by the New York State retirement fund were developed in collaboration with members of the state legislature and the Sudan Divestment Task Force.
"Comptroller DiNapoli's actions speak volumes for our state and our community," Alfano said. "I'm very proud to stand with Tom DiNapoli to put real economic pressure on businesses working with the Sudan and demands that the violence and murder end."
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