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If we knew the Alaska Permanent Fund was invested in companies that support the militia in Sudan that is responsible for the genocide in Darfur, we'd be outraged. About 400,000 people have been killed so far and 2.5 million are without homes and are in fear for their lives every single day.

Congress unanimously said the federal government shall not do business or invest in the foreign companies responsible for the atrocities. (U.S. companies are already sanctioned.) At the same time, Congress unanimously encouraged states to adopt the same policy. Twenty-two states have divested so far and 18 others have similar bills on their way to becoming law.

And Alaska? Now we know: Our own permanent fund is invested in nine of the foreign companies contributing to the genocide. Be outraged! Don't remain silent. Shout out to the members of the House State Affairs committee, "You must act on the bipartisan House Bill 287, so our money won't support genocide."

Permanent fund representatives testified, "If you tell us to divest, we will divest."

Alaskans don't want the next dividend fund checks stained with the blood of the victims of the Darfur genocide.

Joyanne Bloom

Juneau