Spartans for Progressive Divestment to Push Senate to Divest from Supporters of the Darfur Genocide

Press Release
April 6th, 2008 Contact: Tom Choske
313-204-9093

Spartans for Progressive Divestment Holds Press Conference to Push Senate to Divest from Supporters of the Darfur Genocide

Students, Legislators, and Community Groups come together Wednesday, April 9th at 12:30pm in Room 428- Capitol building to discuss Sudan Divestment action.

East Lansing- Spartans for Progressive Divestment is teaming up with Progress Michigan to launch a new online activism campaign, pushing the Michigan Senate to pass House Bill 4854 and Senate Bill 555- legislation to divest Michigan’s public employee retirement funds from foreign companies supporting the Darfur genocide. The campaign will be ushered in with a press conference in room 428 of the Capitol building in Lansing at 12:30pm on April 9th, 2008.

The press conference will feature speakers from Spartans For Progressive Divestment and Representative Alma Wheeler Smith (D-Salem Township). Also scheduled to speak are Representative Marty Knollenberg (R-Troy), and Representative Andy Meisner (D-Ferndale). Statements will be read from Senator Hansen Clarke (D- Detroit), Senator John Pappageorge (R- Troy), and Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer (D- Battle Creek) advocating for the passage of this legislation as well.

“This new campaign will help push some in the Senate leadership to make the right decision and cooperate to help save lives in Darfur,” said Tom Choske, President of Spartans For Progressive Divestment. “Despite passing the House of Representatives with overwhelming bi-partisan support, this press conference shows that getting Michigan money out of terror without harming American workers is something that legislators from all parties can agree on.”

For more info, go to www.fightthegenocide.com or contact Tom at SPDmsu@gmail.com.