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Alameda County Divests from Caterpillar in Response to Human Rights Violations
OAKLAND, CA - In a significant win for human rights, Alameda County has initiated the process of divesting $32 million in public funds from Caterpillar Inc. Caterpillar, the world’s largest manufacturer of construction equipment, has long faced criticism for its equipment’s role in the destruction of Palestinian homes, infrastructure, and agriculture, as well as in the U.S. prison-industrial complex, border militarization, and immigration detention centers.
Alameda County’s divestment follows months of advocacy led by Bay Area Divest!, a broad coalition of constituents who oppose the investment of public funds in companies that enable or profit from war, oppression, or environmental destruction. Bay Area Divest! channeled widespread support through petitions signed by over a thousand residents along with endorsements from faith leaders and more than 80 unions, businesses, and civic organizations. Supporters called on Treasurer Henry Levy to address Caterpillar’s history of profiting from harm, leading to the sale of two out of the three Caterpillar bonds held by Alameda County as of writing (with the third and final sale in progress).
“This divestment is a victory not only for Palestinian communities, but for all marginalized people being impacted by Caterpillar equipment at home and abroad,” said Aline B., an Alameda County resident of Palestinian descent and representative of Bay Area Divest! “It reflects our shared values and sends a clear message that our tax dollars will not support corporations that profit from war, apartheid, and systemic oppression.”
The United Nations' September 2024 directive calls for accountability to end the illegal occupation in Palestine. Additionally, the International Court of Justice emphasizes that failing to act makes states complicit in these abuses.
“This divestment is a victory not only for Palestinian communities, but for all marginalized people being impacted by Caterpillar equipment at home and abroad,” said Aline B., an Alameda County resident of Palestinian descent and representative of Bay Area Divest! “It reflects our shared values and sends a clear message that our tax dollars will not support corporations that profit from war, apartheid, and systemic oppression.”
The United Nations' September 2024 directive calls for accountability to end the illegal occupation in Palestine. Additionally, the International Court of Justice emphasizes that failing to act makes states complicit in these abuses.
For more information:
https://www.instagram.com/bayareadivest/
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(SANTA CLARA, CA, 12/11/2024) — The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the Alameda County Board of Supervisors’ decision to divest $32 million in public funds from Caterpillar and unanimously commit to adopting an ethical investment policy.
The Board’s decision follows months of advocacy by Bay Area Divest!, a coalition of community organizations calling for accountability in public investments. The divestment from Caterpillar, a company criticized for its human rights abuses globally—including the destruction of Palestinian homes, infrastructure, and agriculture, as well as in the U.S. prison-industrial complex, border militarization, and immigration detention centers—is a significant step in ensuring that Alameda County’s financial resources do not perpetuate harm.
In November, CAIR welcomed the reported freeze on the delivery of bulldozers to Israel as an “implicit admission” by the Biden administration that the far-right Netanyahu government is using that equipment in the ethnic cleansing of Gaza.
In a statement, CAIR-SFBA Policy Coordinator Musa Tariq said:
“This is a historic moment for Alameda County, demonstrating the power of community advocacy and the County’s leadership in ethical governance. The decision to divest from Caterpillar sends a clear message that public funds should not support corporations complicit in human rights violations.”
In addition to divesting from Caterpillar, the Board voted to move forward with developing a comprehensive Ethical Investment Policy, recommended by District 5 Supervisor Keith Carson. This policy will include criteria to exclude “investments in industries, corporations, or governments that perpetuate harm to communities and the planet,” such as fossil fuel extraction, weapons production, and entities involved in war crimes, apartheid, and other severe human rights violations.
Alameda County has a proud legacy of socially responsible investment. In 1985, the County divested from South Africa to protest apartheid, and in 1996, it barred investments in companies doing business with Burma due to human rights abuses. The Ethical Investment Policy builds on this legacy by proposing a framework to align public funds with values of justice and accountability.
Tariq added:
“This forward-thinking policy positions Alameda County as a leader in socially responsible investing. By committing to craft the policy within 90 days and implement it within six months, the County has set an ambitious and commendable timeline.
“This effort reflects the broader commitment to sustainability and human rights while upholding the values of peace, justice, and equity that define our community. We will continue to engage with the Board and community stakeholders to ensure they fulfill this promise.”
CAIR-SFBA commends the efforts of Bay Area Divest! and other community stakeholders in bringing this issue to the forefront and remains committed to advocating for policies that uphold human rights and ethical governance.
The Board’s decision follows months of advocacy by Bay Area Divest!, a coalition of community organizations calling for accountability in public investments. The divestment from Caterpillar, a company criticized for its human rights abuses globally—including the destruction of Palestinian homes, infrastructure, and agriculture, as well as in the U.S. prison-industrial complex, border militarization, and immigration detention centers—is a significant step in ensuring that Alameda County’s financial resources do not perpetuate harm.
In November, CAIR welcomed the reported freeze on the delivery of bulldozers to Israel as an “implicit admission” by the Biden administration that the far-right Netanyahu government is using that equipment in the ethnic cleansing of Gaza.
In a statement, CAIR-SFBA Policy Coordinator Musa Tariq said:
“This is a historic moment for Alameda County, demonstrating the power of community advocacy and the County’s leadership in ethical governance. The decision to divest from Caterpillar sends a clear message that public funds should not support corporations complicit in human rights violations.”
In addition to divesting from Caterpillar, the Board voted to move forward with developing a comprehensive Ethical Investment Policy, recommended by District 5 Supervisor Keith Carson. This policy will include criteria to exclude “investments in industries, corporations, or governments that perpetuate harm to communities and the planet,” such as fossil fuel extraction, weapons production, and entities involved in war crimes, apartheid, and other severe human rights violations.
Alameda County has a proud legacy of socially responsible investment. In 1985, the County divested from South Africa to protest apartheid, and in 1996, it barred investments in companies doing business with Burma due to human rights abuses. The Ethical Investment Policy builds on this legacy by proposing a framework to align public funds with values of justice and accountability.
Tariq added:
“This forward-thinking policy positions Alameda County as a leader in socially responsible investing. By committing to craft the policy within 90 days and implement it within six months, the County has set an ambitious and commendable timeline.
“This effort reflects the broader commitment to sustainability and human rights while upholding the values of peace, justice, and equity that define our community. We will continue to engage with the Board and community stakeholders to ensure they fulfill this promise.”
CAIR-SFBA commends the efforts of Bay Area Divest! and other community stakeholders in bringing this issue to the forefront and remains committed to advocating for policies that uphold human rights and ethical governance.
For more information:
https://ca.cair.com/sfba/news/cair-sfba-ap...
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