#divest

[kropotkindersurprise]

May 27, 2024 - Student protesters at the University of Manchester in the UK unfurl a 10 meter long banner stating clear demands to their University to cut ties with Israel's barbaric genocide:

1. Cut ties with BAE Systems 2. Cut ties with Tel Aviv & Hebrew University of Jerusalem 3. End unethical research 4. No displicinary action for protesters

[saywhat-politics]

[hope-for-the-planet]

From the article:

For Brother Xavier Boutiot, treasurer of a Benedictine abbeyin central France, pulling the abbey's investments from fossil fuels was an obvious step. Committed to the “Green Church” initiative for four years, the Olivetan monks aimed for consistency in all aspects of their community life. “Financial investments have an ecological impact that is 25 times greater than our daily actions!” emphasized the treasurer. To embark on this ecological and financial transition, the abbey had to scrutinize its investments, which was not straightforward. “The financial world is so opaque for basic investors like us, who don’t have access to all the information,” explained Boutiot. “We called our banks that were not on board with this direction, explained our reasoning, and applied some pressure by saying, ‘Either you support us in this approach, or we’ll switch banks.’” [...] The reasons to divest from fossil fuels are not only ethical but financial: the International Energy Agency predicts fossil fuel use will peak before 2030 and then decline. Religious institutions, managing $3 trillion globally, have divested from fossil fuel companies more than any other sector, aligning their investments with their values.

[lucrezianoin]

Some non-US alternatives to big US companies

Purchases

steam (USA) -> GOG (Poland), I have been using it for years, it is without a doubt my favorite place to purchase videogames

Kindle (US, Amazon) -> Kobo (Japanese and Canadian) tho harder, it does not have all books, I tried to google a few of the rarest ones I have on kindle

Amazon -> Allegro or OTTO

ebay (US) -> medimops (Germany)

audible (US) -> storytel (Sweden)

streaming services -> filmin (Spain), but I am unsure if it is available outside Span and Portugal, as I have not tried it yet

music streaming -> Spotify (Sweden)

Technology

Any phone -> Nothing Phone (German)

Any computer -> Lenovo (China), this is actually my favorite laptop ever

Chrome/Firefox (US) -> Vivaldi (Norway)

google email/hotmail (US) -> Tuta mail (Germany)

Websites

google translate (US) -> DeepL (German, and so much better)

Google maps (US) -> Magic Earth (Netherlands)

google search (US) -> ecosia (Germany)

goodreads (US) -> storygraph (UK)

twitter (US) -> mastodon

I didn't add food/clothes as those are usually easier to check while shopping. Unfortunately it is hard to completely boycott US products especially websites and softwares (I am currently on tumblr, for example), but I want to try my best. I also have no intention of boycotting stuff that gives money to small business and single individuals (ex. paypal, smashwords, patreon, etsy) unless there is an alternative to be able to support the same small business/creators.

Some resources: subreddit BuyFromEU; European alternatives website

[commiepinkofag]

the death of rainbow capitalism

witness the death of rainbow capitalism with the stroke of a pen.

performative ally-ship will be made more transparent with the sharp hypocrisy of former corporate sponsors to Pride™ that now rescind workplace protections for POC and the LGBTQIA+ community. the most egregious offenders have done so without mandate of unjust law.

June’s luster will grey as storefront displays languish in stock rooms, and branded products lay waste in landfills. the multi-color transformations of logos of June yore will memorialize the demise of rainbow capitalism. no longer can we don their gay apparel without irony.

despite legal precedent, corporations are not people. they can feel no shame; thus, an assault to their purse-strings is vital.

shareholders, policymakers, ‘DEI-snitches’ & CEOs should bear a brutal shame. the individuals complicit in the campaign of hate, division and exclusion must be held accountable for their actions or lack thereof.

boycotts of goods and services are in order for any business that supports fascism to any extent. this should include their divestment from all services which cater to or support discriminative policies.

without public declaration and visible actions to ensure equity in the workplace, any business should be vulnerable to target.

this is not a call to enshrine rainbow capitalism, or use it as a benchmark of success. the inherent exploitation in pink- & white-washing cannot continue.

businesses that collaborated with fascists during World War II should have never been allowed to remain in operation. as such, businesses which do not support and improve quality of life in an equitable society should no longer exist.

justice has no value under capitalism.

[belongstolove]

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

by Chris Pandolfo

University of Michigan regent Jordan Acker said masked anti-Israel protesters intruded at his home "with a list of demands" early Wednesday morning while his wife and children were sleeping inside.

In a post on X with more than 1 million views, Acker said a "masked intruder" showed up at his residence with a list of demands, "including defending the police." 

"My three daughters were asleep in their beds, and thankfully unaware of what transpired," Acker wrote.

In a news release, the University of Michigan said more than 30 student protesters staged demonstrations at the private residences of at least one Board of Regents member and went to several other residences. The protesters placed tents and fake corpses wrapped in bloodied sheets on the lawn, marched and chanted in the early morning and posted lists of demands on doors. 

Masked protesters held demonstrations at the private residences of at least one University of Michigan Board of Regents member and went to several others' residences on May 15, 2024, the university said. (University of Michigan)

The protesters hid their identities with masks. On social media, the university's chapters of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), Students Allied for Freedom and Equality (SAFE) and Transparency, Accountability, Humanity, Reparations, Investment, Resistance (TAHRIR) Coalition took credit for the demonstrations. The same groups were responsible for organizing the anti-Israel encampment on the university's Central Campus Diag, school officials said.

The university said the protesters began to disperse after law enforcement arrived on the scene. 

"This form of protest is not peaceful," Acker wrote. "Public officials should not be subject to this sort of intimidating conduct, and this behavior is unacceptable from any Michigan community member, especially one led by someone who called for the death of people they disagree with."

The university said tactics embraced by the protesters were "a significant and dangerous escalation" in anti-Israel protests that have been occurring on campus. The student groups behind the action said the boundaries of a Gaza encampment on the school's campus are now "limitless."  

Student protesters set up tents and demonstrated outside of Regent Sarah Hubbard's home.  (University of Michigan)

During the school's May 4th commencement ceremony, a group of roughly 50 protesters displaying Palestinian flags and chanting antisemitic slogans marched toward the stage as U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro was speaking and addressing newly commissioned officers. 

In addition, planes flew overhead displaying pro-Palestinian slogans and some of the protesters wore keffiyehs, clothing that has become a symbol of Palestinian solidarity, graduate Benny Shaevsky told Fox News Digital. Law enforcement confronted the protesters and pushed them toward the back where they remained for the rest of the event, he said.

Anti-Israel student protesters have demanded the University of Michigan divest from Israel amid the war in Gaza. Protesters left bloodied stuffed animals outside the private residence of a school official and posted a list of demands on the door.  (University of Michigan)

For approximately three weeks, the University of Michigan has contended with an anti-Israel encampment that sprung up as part of the nationwide protest movement that began at Columbia University in New York City in April. Protesters have clashed with authorities and the school has reported incidents of vandalism. They have demanded that the school fully divest from companies invested in Israel and claimed a third of the university's $18 billion endowment is tied to Israel, which the school has denied, MLive reported.

While the school says it respects the free speech rights of students, officials clarified that "going to an individual’s private residence is intimidating behavior and, in this instance, illegal trespassing. This kind of conduct is not protected speech; it’s dangerous and unacceptable." 

[kropotkindersurprise]

August 21, 2024 - Via BDS Movement:

WE DIDI IT! In a major BDS win for human rights activists against financial institutions complicit in Israel’s 76-year-old regime of settler colonialism, apartheid and now genocide, French multinational insurer AXA was forced to sell its investments in all major Israeli banks. These banks are considered the backbone of Israel’s illegal settlement enterprise on occupied Palestinian stolen lands. The global “Stop AXA Assistance to Israeli Apartheid” campaign targeted AXA’s investment in Israeli banks and Elbit Systems for their complicity in Israel’s illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, which constitute war crimes under international law, and for other grave violations of Palestinian human rights. The company faced divestment pressure, reputational damage and a consumer boycott campaign. [...] AXA is not off the hook, though. Amidst Israel’s live streamed genocide in Gaza against 2.3 million Palestinians, the coalition will continue to monitor AXA’s investments to make sure it is not complicit in the ongoing genocide. Watch this space!

[boopbeepbadoop]

RESIST. DIVEST.

Solidarity with students and everyone fighting for a Free Palestine.

[palestinegenocide]

‘Not in my Name’: how a new generation is divesting from Israeli apartheid

“Not in our name” has long been a rallying cry for Jews who protest Israel, but it is now being adopted by a new group as well – those with wealth who are joining the movement to boycott and divest from Israeli apartheid.

[link]

[niccocum]

What's currently going on with Tesla is actually a great example for why having Pension Funds or Government whatever stop investing into fossil fuel stocks is a good idea.

Like people I talk to about that are often like "Yeah, but that won't matter cause then just individual investors will buy up the stocks."

That, you know... assumes that there are other/smaller investors interested in buying the stocks. Like if major investors pull out of for example buying/owning Shell stocks, well it puts out a sign. And stock market running basically on make-believe would get impacted by it.

So if enough investors pull out from investing in the stocks of fossil fuel companies, and it impacts the stock value... well, you see how desperate something like that makes CEOs hahaha

Oh and then say "Yeah well, we might consider investing again if you have a concrete plan to substitute fossil fuels with clean energies and show actually progress on that plan."

*shrug* just a thing to consider. Or try out you know? If all agree money is power "vote with your dollars" does work.

[i-like-rocks22]

Feeling hopeless? Time to do something!

Reblog with further ideas.

Cancel prime.

Join a library.

Donate to food banks.

Join your national green and socialist parties.

Join a union.

Get to know your neighbours.

Shop local and small.

Make communities off of the major apps.

Organise in person and virtual gatherings of your communities.

Mutual aid with disabled people and POC.

Delete meta and other problematic apps from your phone- Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, X .

Wipe and delete your accounts from these platforms.

[husamthaher]

🔻Nobody wants to taste blood 🩸 🔻

No one touches apartheid-ridden Avocados - because no one wants to taste blood when they eat them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Even if it’s half the price, nobody is touching them!! The price of humanity and dignity is priceless. It’s a shame Israel has let its inhumanity shine through with bitter demonstration of impunity against displaced refugees - 50% of them are children. The world is taking a stance and calling out, and their atrocious attempts to make money BOYCOTT. DIVEST. SANCTION.

[kropotkindersurprise]

June 26, 2024 - BREAKING: After well over 100 artists boycotted SXSW over its complicity in Israel's genocide and underlying settler-colonial apartheid regime, the major industry showcase festival has dropped its partnerships with the US military and arms companies. [source]