My retirement money is invested in TIAA-CREF, one of the largest retirement funds in the world, but one that unfortunately profits from the Israeli occupation. And like you perhaps, I don’t like it, not one bit. That’s why I joined with nearly 20 others to file a shareholder resolution asking TIAA- CREF to start engaging with companies like Caterpillar and Elbit that make money from Israel’s occupation. And how did TIAA-CREF respond to our resolution? They tried to kill it.
That’s right. Despite their stated commitment to transparency, they tried an end-run around shareholder democracy and asked the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to help them quash it. We have secured a lawyer and are going to fight this every step of the way–we have a right to speak out about where our funds are being invested.
But in the meantime, we need your help. We think we’ll be successful in our fight so since you have TIAA-CREF we need you to pledge now to vote for our resolution when it comes up for vote.
Our resolution asks TIAA-CREF to engage with companies that profit from the Israeli occupation, to ask them to change course or face divestment next year. We think it’s reasonable, fair, and takes an important stand for justice. We’ve already been amazed by how many thousands of you have come forward to support the campaign, how many professors and medical professionals have joined us, how many schools have launched campaigns and more. (You can learn more atWeDivest.org.)
The upcoming TIAA-CREF shareholder meeting is an important next step in the growth of this nationwide campaign. It isn’t until July, but my job—your job—starts today. Sign a pledge to vote YES. Together, we can and we will make a difference.
With best wishes for a happy and meaningful Passover,