Friday, March 19, 2010

UA: Halt Apartheid Support, Divest from Caterpillar and Motorola

Derechos Humanos: Please support the efforts to demand that the University of Arizona divest from companies that profit off the human suffering of innocent victims of militarization.
March 12, 2010
Robert Shelton, President of the University of Arizona
Office of the President
Administration Building, Room 712
1401 E University Blvd
PO Box 210066
Tucson, Arizona 85721-0066
Dear President Shelton,
We are writing in solidarity and support of the University of Arizona Community for Human Right's campaign and our Palestinian brothers and sisters to ensure that the University of Arizona (UA) divest from Caterpillar and Motorola immediately. As you know, U.S. companies Caterpillar and Motorola participate and profit from the violations of international law and human rights as major players in the Israeli Apartheid and occupation of Palestinian territories (OPT).
CAT equipment has demolished thousands of homes, uprooted countless olive trees, and carved gaping holes in roads to make them impassable. In addition, CAT equipment and similar machines from other manufactures are used in the construction of settlement housing, segregated roads on expropriated land, and the annexation/apartheid barrier-all violations of international law.
Motorola Corporation also contributes to the occupier's control of the Palestinian population. Motorola's radar detection devices and thermal cameras protect illegal Israeli settlements; its 'Mountain Rose' secure cell phone communication system enhances the coordination and monitoring capabilities of Israeli's occupying forces; and Motorola's Wide Area Surveillance System (WASS), which was recently sold to an Israeli company, is used to monitor and maintain apartheid barrier. -- (Steadfast Hope: The Palestinian Quest for Just Peace, June 2009)
We urge the UA to recognize and take action against companies that enable apartheid through brutal military occupation. Until divestment from Caterpillar and Motorola occurs, the UA will continue to profit and participate from the atrocities committed against the Palestinian people, including their Israeli allies. Moreover, the UA will never meet its mission to "empower graduates to be leaders in solving complex societal problems," if action is not taken immediately.
Sincerely,
Coalición de Derechos Humanos
Tucson, Arizona

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