from http://ithaca-cortland.ynn.com/content/550504/protesters-rally-outside-investment-firm/
“Protesters rally outside investment firm”
Your News Now. 07/19/2011 09:30 PM
By: Tamara Lindstrom
Protesters in Ithaca joined in a nationwide demonstration against an investment firm they say is contributing to the Israel-Palestine war. Our Tamara Lindstrom tells us what they had to say.
ITHACA, N.Y. — Protesters had different reasons for demonstrating outside the local offices of TIAACref.
“I witnessed a home demolition. And it was done by Caterpillar. And people here thought, ‘oh, that must be a terrorist whose home was demolished.’ But no, it wasn’t a terrorist, it was a family,” said protester Diane Roe.
The rally was part of a nationwide effort organized by Jewish Voice for Peace. The group says TIAACref, an investment firm that handles retirement funds of educators, health professionals and non-profit workers, ignored a shareholder resolution calling for an investigation into companies that support violence against Palestinians.
“Motorola supplies surveillance technology. Caterpillar supplies bulldozers that destroy Palestinian homes,” said Aron Gutman, a shareholder.
“We’re here today because Palestinians have called for internationals to join the Boycott Divestment Sanctions Movement. This is a global movement that is working to put pressure on Israel to begin to comply with international law and absolutely stop the human rights abuses,” said Andrea Levine of the Jewish Voice for Peace.
The company responded with the statement, saying, “Our investment committee makes decisions that are guided by our corporate policies. We are always listening and determining how best to serve clients according to our guidelines.”
“They’re hiding from the occupation of Palestine. They’re hiding from the protestors outside their building, and they’re hiding from the effects that these companies are creating,” Levine said.
Although they weren’t able to get inside the building and deliver their message personally, the protestors feel their voices will still be heard.
“If it goes beyond just educating people and TIAACref begins to divest and change where their money is supporting. That would obviously be the long-term, larger scale goal of this,” Levine said.
The demonstration coincided with the firm’s shareholder meeting.
