The White Rose Society, a UT student organization which has devoted much of the last months to lobbying against the genocide in Darfur, said Gov. Rick Perry signing legislation ordering state divestment in Sudan is a big step in U.S. intervention.
Gov. Perry signed Senate Bill 247 last Thursday, which directs the state Employees Retirement System and Teachers Retirement System to divest financial holdings in companies doing business in Sudan.
Natasha Levinsohn, divestment chair for the group, said the White Rose Society was contacted by the Sudan Divestment Task Force, who told them about divestment. Since they were contacted, the group has been active in bringing the issue to the Capitol.
"We've been lobbying to all offices in the House and Senate since December," said Levinsohn, a sociology sophomore. "And we've testified at several hearings."
Texas is the 17th state to adopt divestment policies, which take effect Jan. 1, 2008. Perry's office did not return phone calls from The Texan.
Levinsohn said the White Rose Society held fundraisers, including "Challah for hunger," and received money from the Sudan Divestment Task Force for some projects.
"The Sudan Divestment Task Force made it possible for us to deliver white roses to 180 offices in the Capitol," Levinsohn said. "But our fundraisers paid for brochures and literature we passed out on campus."
The White Rose Society will continue to fight against genocide and promote awareness, Levinsohn said.
"We have so many other projects going on right now," she said. "We are helping host 'Dining for Darfur' in October. Participating restaurants will contribute a percent of one night's proceeds to Darfur."
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