Students must add their voices to this growing chorus of global outrage. MSF is asking students to sign the petition and to distribute it as widely as possible. When the case resumes April 15, the electronic signatures will be presented to the pharmaceutical companies and to governments. College students must also demand that the United States government make a clear statement of support for South Africa's right to provide affordable medicine for its people. To date the Bush administration has been completely silent on the lawsuit.
Students can speak out through letter writing campaigns, protests and petitions.
Students must not underestimate their power. Not so long ago, students at U.S. universities played a key role in increasing pressure to get South Africa to end its system of apartheid. A nationwide student and faculty outcry forced many prestigious universities to divest their holdings in the country. South Africans survived apartheid. They should not die for lack of access to medicines.