I'm a Jewish community member and homeowner in District 1. In the strongest terms possible, I encourage our City of Oakland to adopt an investment policy standard that prohibits investments in companies that enable state violence or violations of international law and human rights, such as apartheid and genocide. As a Jew, it is 100% clear to me that such a policy is NOT anti-semitic but instead consistent with Jewish (and universal) values. Please agendize an update to our current investment policy standard. Thank you!
My name is Alysha Aziz and I am an East Bay resident and nurse. As a healthcare worker, I have been devastated watching hospitals bombed in Gaza, nurses and doctors abducted and tortured by the state of Israel, and patients buried in mass graves or burned alive with IV catheters still in their arms.
Despite feeling constant heartbreak, I have also been deeply inspired by Palestinian healthcare workers who have chosen to risk their lives to care for their communities in unimaginable conditions. These healthcare workers include Dr. Hamman Alloh, a 36-year-old nephrologist who, when asked if he would leave Al-Shifa hospital, responded: “And if I go, who treats my patients?” Less than two weeks later he and his entire family were killed in an Israeli airstrike.
Today I am asking the Oakland City Council to embody just a fraction of the courage displayed by Palestinian healthcare workers by voting to prohibit investment in companies that facilitate and enable Israeli apartheid and occupation.
Thank you in advance for voting in a way that aligns with the values of the people of this city, who believe in an end to violence and injustice.
I'm born and raised in Oakland and am proud to be part of a community that follows the money and opposes genocide and apartheid policies around the world. I associate my beloved hometown with the principles of equality and love for humanity. Oakland has previously adopted legislation divesting from South Africa, Nigeria, and Burma due to human rights abuses.
This year, it has been devastating to watch as our Federal government pays for, enables, and ultimately partners in a genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza, the West Bank, and now Lebanon. The bombings of hospitals, schools, refugee camps, and the targeting of journalists and children is appalling.
More than anything, the murder and traumatization of so many children has made me desperate to do everything in my power to stop what my government is doing with my tax dollars. Maya Angelou was recently honored at my place of work, and this quote from her is featured on the walls of the Children’s Library: "Each child belongs to all of us and they will bring us a tomorrow in direct relation to the responsibility we have shown to them."
Please do what you can do as Oakland leaders to divest from any company contributing to this, and all other humanitarian disasters. I urge you to take this opportunity to review our investment strategy. Aligning our financial decisions with our ethical commitments is not only necessary but also a powerful way to foster a legacy of compassion and integrity for our community.
I am a D3 resident who proudly voted to reelect Carroll Fife. I am glad to see she seems to have comfortably won her election and hope now that the election is over the council can take solidarity with Palestine a step further by divesting from genocide. Calling for a ceasefire was the bare minimum and Oakland is capable of much more.
My name is Aiden Le and I am a Hayward resident. I am in support of divesting Oakland's tax dollars from genocide by amending Oakland's investment policy to prohibit city investments in companies and financial institutions that enable state repression, war, and human rights violations. I kindly urge the city of Oakland to follow in the footsteps of other cities such as Hayward to disinvest from corporations and industries that enable genocide. I know Oakland has disinvested in the past before such as during South Africa's apartheid which has led way to a national movement that made California take an official disinvestment position and South African apartheid ending. Oakland can once again be a part of the change and movement supported by thousands and thousands of people world wide and here within the Bay Area. Hayward has said no to investing in genocide. Richmond has said no to investing in genocide. The New Haven Unified school board has passed a ceasefire resolution among many other school boards and cities like Oakland. So let's take it a step forward and disinvest tax dollars to those companies and industries that enable genocide. We urge you to once again, do the right thing. Thank you.
I am an Oakland resident. I am a queer jewish citizen and I am angered, grief striken, and horrified as we continue to watch a genocide unfold in Palestine perpetrated by the Israeli gov, being done in the name of jewish "safety", with arms funded by our tax dollars. Children should not be brought to hold a press conference in their 2nd language begging for us to protect them. None of us are safe while the US and the zionist regime enact this atrocity. It is important to me that Jewish voices be heard to help those on the city council understand that denouncing Israel is NOT antisemitic. If anything, is antisemitic to act as if endorsing this violence is a jewish value and right. I strongly believe in the divesting of our tax dollars from any connection to these war crimes. This is actionable and has the power to disrupt this unending horror.
I am calling on the City of Oakland to adopt an investment policy standard that prohibits investments in companies that facilitate and enable state violence, war, occupation, repression, or violations of international law and human rights, such as apartheid and genocide. This includes, but is not limited to: Companies that facilitate and enable Israeli apartheid and occupation of the Palestinian people; Industries of security, defense, and military, including companies that transport military goods; Industries of mass incarceration and detention, including companies that use prison labor.
My name is Lisa Jervis and I was an Oakland resident for 30 years (live in Berkeley now), own a business in Oakland, and am in Oakland a lot. I hate the thought of my tax dollars being invested in companies that profit off of weapons and war. As a Jewish member of the Oakland community, I want to see our amazing city divest from genocide by amending our investment policy to prohibit investments in institutions that enable state repression, war, and human rights violations. It was very meaningful when Oakland divested from fossil fuels. We can do it again. There is so much community support for this, and in a time when we are headed down an authoritarian path we need courageous leaders on the left to stand up for the preciousness of all life, which is a fundamental Jewish value. Thank you.
My name is Dorothy Graham and I’ve owned a home in District 1 since 1987. I am writing in strong support of the City of Oakland adopting a policy to divest from companies who are profiting from the ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. A policy that takes a stand against investing in companies that facilitate state violence is sorely needed. Oakland has a history of standing against apartheid. Please join Richmond and Hayward in passing such an investment policy as quickly as possible. Every day of delay is costing lives. Thank you.
I'm a constituent of District 4 and I call on the city of Oakland to adopt an investment policy standard that prohibits investments in companies that facilitate and enable state violence, war occupation, repression, or violations of international law and human rights, such as apartheid and genocide. This includes, but is not limited to: 1) Companies that facilitate and enable Israeli apartheid and occupation of the Palestinian people; 2) Industries of security, defense, and military, including companies that transport military goods; and 3) Industries of mass incarceration and detention, including companies that use prison labor.
I’m a constituent of District 1 and I call on the City of Oakland to adopt an investment policy standard that prohibits investments in companies that facilitate and enable state violence, war occupation, repression, or violations of international law and human rights, such as apartheid and genocide. This includes, but is not limited to:
Companies that facilitate and enable Israeli apartheid and occupation of the Palestinian people;
Industries of security, defense, and military, including companies that transport military goods;
Industries of mass incarceration and detention, including companies that use prison labor.
I am an Oakland resident in District 1. I am Jewish and am heartbroken as we continue to watch a genocide unfold in Palestine perpetrated by Israel. It is important to me that Jewish voices be heard to help those on the city council understand that denoucing Israel is NOT antisemitic. There is so much we may feel powerless over but divesting our tax dollars from any connection to genocide is something we CAN do.
I am calling on the City of Oakland to adopt an investment policy standard that prohibits investments in companies that facilitate and enable state violence, war, occupation, repression, or violations of international law and human rights, such as apartheid and genocide. This includes, but is not limited to:
-Companies that facilitate and enable Israeli apartheid and occupation of the Palestinian people;
-Industries of security, defense, and military, including companies that transport military goods;
-Industries of mass incarceration and detention, including companies that use prison labor.
I am an Oakland resident in District 3, my partner is part Palestinian. I am also a physician and I am horrified at the loss of life that our country is supporting in Palestine. I am calling on the City of Oakland to adopt an investment policy standard that prohibits investments in companies that facilitate and enable state violence, war, occupation, repression, or violations of international law and human rights, such as apartheid and genocide. Oakland has the opportunity to be a national leader in this movement, much as it was during the movement to divest from apartheid South Africa. We have already divested from fossil fuels, tobacco and firearms. It is time to pass a resolution barring any current or future investment in militarism, imperialism and genocide.
I am the daughter of a Jewish American father and a Palestinian American mother, and an Oakland resident in District 3. I feel fortunate to be safe here in Oakland, but am horrified by our nation's diplomatic and financial support for the genocide of my Palestinian kin. I am calling on the City of Oakland to adopt an investment policy standard that prohibits investments in companies that facilitate and enable state violence, war, occupation, repression, or violations of international law and human rights, such as apartheid and genocide. Oakland has the opportunity to be a national leader in this movement, much as it was during the movement to divest from apartheid South Africa. We have already divested from fossil fuels, tobacco and firearms. It is time to pass a resolution barring any current or future investment in militarism, imperialism and genocide.
My name is Kristin Ming. I have been a resident in District 3 for over 10 years and love Oakland. This issue is personal to me because I have loved ones with family in Palestine, and Israel, and because my own family grew up under apartheid in South Africa. I want my city to be a part of ending apartheid, occupation, and unnecessary death. I believe that working towards freedom and equality for all people is the best chance of working towards peace and safety for all people in the region. Please, let us not financially benefit from the killing of human lives.
My name is Oliver Mills, and I'm an active resident of District 3 and Oakland business owner. I strongly urge the City of Oakland to adopt an investment policy standard that prohibits investments in companies that facilitate and enable state violence, war occupation, repression, or violations of international law and human rights, such as apartheid and genocide. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Companies that facilitate and enable Israeli apartheid and occupation of the Palestinian people;
- Industries of security, defense, and military, including companies that transport military goods;
- Industries a part of the prison industrial complex and detention, including companies that use prison labor.
As someone who works closely with incarcerated, unhoused, and otherwise marginalized communities, I see the direct impact local governments can have on the lives of the most vulnerable (whether in their jurisdictions or on a global scale.) The adoption of this policy standard would do more than communicate much-needed resistance to oppression and genocide; it would change the material realities of those who need Oakland's support the most.
Like many other residents of Oakland, I support divesting our tax dollars from genocide by amending Oakland’s investment policy to prohibit city investments in companies and financial institutions that enable state repression, war, and human rights violations. US spending on militarism takes directly away from our community needs – instead of funding israel's horrific violence, that money could be used to improve housing, schools, and healthcare right here in our neighborhoods. Oakland has long been a leader in taking action for justice, such as by divesting from the South African apartheid, and has the opportunity to do so again. Please hear the concerns of the Oakland community and amend the investment policy.
Along with many residents of Oakland, I support divesting our tax dollars from genocide by amending Oakland’s investment policy to prohibit city investments in companies and financial institutions that enable state repression, war, and human rights violations. US spending on militarism takes directly away from our community needs – instead of funding israel's horrific violence, that money could be used to improve housing, schools, and healthcare right here in our neighborhoods. Oakland has long been a leader in taking action for justice, such as by divesting from the South African apartheid, and has the opportunity to do so again. Please hear the concerns of the Oakland community and amend the investment policy.
As a long time resident of district 1, I support divesting our tax dollars from genocide by amending Oakland’s investment policy to prohibit city investments in companies and financial institutions that enable state repression, war and human rights violations.
U.S. financial support of Israel is a local issue where the council’s influence can make a true difference. Community members have drafted legislation and have done legal reviews, this new investment policy is ready to go and just needs a courageous city council member to introduce it.
My name is Ellie Poling, I am a District 2 resident, OUSD employee and SEIU 1021 chapter leader. I support adopting an investment policy that prohibits investments in companies and financial institutions that enable human rights violations, including apartheid, occupation, and genocide. Our tax dollars should be used for public goods such as clean water, healthcare, education, and housing. We do not have to invest in companies that enact imperial violence. We cannot live off death. I urge the council to choose an ethical way forward for our city and divest from all institutions aiding the israeli occupation of Palestine.
I'm a resident of Oakland D1 and I urge Oakland to divest our tax dollars from genocide by amending Oakland’s investment policy to prohibit city investments in companies and financial institutions that enable state repression, war and human rights violations. I want to live in a city that's on the right side of history and takes a stand against genocide and apartheid.
I'm a Jewish community member and homeowner in District 1. In the strongest terms possible, I encourage our City of Oakland to adopt an investment policy standard that prohibits investments in companies that enable state violence or violations of international law and human rights, such as apartheid and genocide. As a Jew, it is 100% clear to me that such a policy is NOT anti-semitic but instead consistent with Jewish (and universal) values. Please agendize an update to our current investment policy standard. Thank you!
My name is Alysha Aziz and I am an East Bay resident and nurse. As a healthcare worker, I have been devastated watching hospitals bombed in Gaza, nurses and doctors abducted and tortured by the state of Israel, and patients buried in mass graves or burned alive with IV catheters still in their arms.
Despite feeling constant heartbreak, I have also been deeply inspired by Palestinian healthcare workers who have chosen to risk their lives to care for their communities in unimaginable conditions. These healthcare workers include Dr. Hamman Alloh, a 36-year-old nephrologist who, when asked if he would leave Al-Shifa hospital, responded: “And if I go, who treats my patients?” Less than two weeks later he and his entire family were killed in an Israeli airstrike.
Today I am asking the Oakland City Council to embody just a fraction of the courage displayed by Palestinian healthcare workers by voting to prohibit investment in companies that facilitate and enable Israeli apartheid and occupation.
Thank you in advance for voting in a way that aligns with the values of the people of this city, who believe in an end to violence and injustice.
I'm born and raised in Oakland and am proud to be part of a community that follows the money and opposes genocide and apartheid policies around the world. I associate my beloved hometown with the principles of equality and love for humanity. Oakland has previously adopted legislation divesting from South Africa, Nigeria, and Burma due to human rights abuses.
This year, it has been devastating to watch as our Federal government pays for, enables, and ultimately partners in a genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza, the West Bank, and now Lebanon. The bombings of hospitals, schools, refugee camps, and the targeting of journalists and children is appalling.
More than anything, the murder and traumatization of so many children has made me desperate to do everything in my power to stop what my government is doing with my tax dollars. Maya Angelou was recently honored at my place of work, and this quote from her is featured on the walls of the Children’s Library: "Each child belongs to all of us and they will bring us a tomorrow in direct relation to the responsibility we have shown to them."
Please do what you can do as Oakland leaders to divest from any company contributing to this, and all other humanitarian disasters. I urge you to take this opportunity to review our investment strategy. Aligning our financial decisions with our ethical commitments is not only necessary but also a powerful way to foster a legacy of compassion and integrity for our community.
I am a D3 resident who proudly voted to reelect Carroll Fife. I am glad to see she seems to have comfortably won her election and hope now that the election is over the council can take solidarity with Palestine a step further by divesting from genocide. Calling for a ceasefire was the bare minimum and Oakland is capable of much more.
My name is Aiden Le and I am a Hayward resident. I am in support of divesting Oakland's tax dollars from genocide by amending Oakland's investment policy to prohibit city investments in companies and financial institutions that enable state repression, war, and human rights violations. I kindly urge the city of Oakland to follow in the footsteps of other cities such as Hayward to disinvest from corporations and industries that enable genocide. I know Oakland has disinvested in the past before such as during South Africa's apartheid which has led way to a national movement that made California take an official disinvestment position and South African apartheid ending. Oakland can once again be a part of the change and movement supported by thousands and thousands of people world wide and here within the Bay Area. Hayward has said no to investing in genocide. Richmond has said no to investing in genocide. The New Haven Unified school board has passed a ceasefire resolution among many other school boards and cities like Oakland. So let's take it a step forward and disinvest tax dollars to those companies and industries that enable genocide. We urge you to once again, do the right thing. Thank you.
I am an Oakland resident. I am a queer jewish citizen and I am angered, grief striken, and horrified as we continue to watch a genocide unfold in Palestine perpetrated by the Israeli gov, being done in the name of jewish "safety", with arms funded by our tax dollars. Children should not be brought to hold a press conference in their 2nd language begging for us to protect them. None of us are safe while the US and the zionist regime enact this atrocity. It is important to me that Jewish voices be heard to help those on the city council understand that denouncing Israel is NOT antisemitic. If anything, is antisemitic to act as if endorsing this violence is a jewish value and right. I strongly believe in the divesting of our tax dollars from any connection to these war crimes. This is actionable and has the power to disrupt this unending horror.
I am calling on the City of Oakland to adopt an investment policy standard that prohibits investments in companies that facilitate and enable state violence, war, occupation, repression, or violations of international law and human rights, such as apartheid and genocide. This includes, but is not limited to: Companies that facilitate and enable Israeli apartheid and occupation of the Palestinian people; Industries of security, defense, and military, including companies that transport military goods; Industries of mass incarceration and detention, including companies that use prison labor.
My name is Lisa Jervis and I was an Oakland resident for 30 years (live in Berkeley now), own a business in Oakland, and am in Oakland a lot. I hate the thought of my tax dollars being invested in companies that profit off of weapons and war. As a Jewish member of the Oakland community, I want to see our amazing city divest from genocide by amending our investment policy to prohibit investments in institutions that enable state repression, war, and human rights violations. It was very meaningful when Oakland divested from fossil fuels. We can do it again. There is so much community support for this, and in a time when we are headed down an authoritarian path we need courageous leaders on the left to stand up for the preciousness of all life, which is a fundamental Jewish value. Thank you.
My name is Dorothy Graham and I’ve owned a home in District 1 since 1987. I am writing in strong support of the City of Oakland adopting a policy to divest from companies who are profiting from the ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. A policy that takes a stand against investing in companies that facilitate state violence is sorely needed. Oakland has a history of standing against apartheid. Please join Richmond and Hayward in passing such an investment policy as quickly as possible. Every day of delay is costing lives. Thank you.
I'm a constituent of District 4 and I call on the city of Oakland to adopt an investment policy standard that prohibits investments in companies that facilitate and enable state violence, war occupation, repression, or violations of international law and human rights, such as apartheid and genocide. This includes, but is not limited to: 1) Companies that facilitate and enable Israeli apartheid and occupation of the Palestinian people; 2) Industries of security, defense, and military, including companies that transport military goods; and 3) Industries of mass incarceration and detention, including companies that use prison labor.
I’m a constituent of District 1 and I call on the City of Oakland to adopt an investment policy standard that prohibits investments in companies that facilitate and enable state violence, war occupation, repression, or violations of international law and human rights, such as apartheid and genocide. This includes, but is not limited to:
Companies that facilitate and enable Israeli apartheid and occupation of the Palestinian people;
Industries of security, defense, and military, including companies that transport military goods;
Industries of mass incarceration and detention, including companies that use prison labor.
I am an Oakland resident in District 1. I am Jewish and am heartbroken as we continue to watch a genocide unfold in Palestine perpetrated by Israel. It is important to me that Jewish voices be heard to help those on the city council understand that denoucing Israel is NOT antisemitic. There is so much we may feel powerless over but divesting our tax dollars from any connection to genocide is something we CAN do.
I am calling on the City of Oakland to adopt an investment policy standard that prohibits investments in companies that facilitate and enable state violence, war, occupation, repression, or violations of international law and human rights, such as apartheid and genocide. This includes, but is not limited to:
-Companies that facilitate and enable Israeli apartheid and occupation of the Palestinian people;
-Industries of security, defense, and military, including companies that transport military goods;
-Industries of mass incarceration and detention, including companies that use prison labor.
I am an Oakland resident in District 3, my partner is part Palestinian. I am also a physician and I am horrified at the loss of life that our country is supporting in Palestine. I am calling on the City of Oakland to adopt an investment policy standard that prohibits investments in companies that facilitate and enable state violence, war, occupation, repression, or violations of international law and human rights, such as apartheid and genocide. Oakland has the opportunity to be a national leader in this movement, much as it was during the movement to divest from apartheid South Africa. We have already divested from fossil fuels, tobacco and firearms. It is time to pass a resolution barring any current or future investment in militarism, imperialism and genocide.
I am the daughter of a Jewish American father and a Palestinian American mother, and an Oakland resident in District 3. I feel fortunate to be safe here in Oakland, but am horrified by our nation's diplomatic and financial support for the genocide of my Palestinian kin. I am calling on the City of Oakland to adopt an investment policy standard that prohibits investments in companies that facilitate and enable state violence, war, occupation, repression, or violations of international law and human rights, such as apartheid and genocide. Oakland has the opportunity to be a national leader in this movement, much as it was during the movement to divest from apartheid South Africa. We have already divested from fossil fuels, tobacco and firearms. It is time to pass a resolution barring any current or future investment in militarism, imperialism and genocide.
My name is Kristin Ming. I have been a resident in District 3 for over 10 years and love Oakland. This issue is personal to me because I have loved ones with family in Palestine, and Israel, and because my own family grew up under apartheid in South Africa. I want my city to be a part of ending apartheid, occupation, and unnecessary death. I believe that working towards freedom and equality for all people is the best chance of working towards peace and safety for all people in the region. Please, let us not financially benefit from the killing of human lives.
My name is Oliver Mills, and I'm an active resident of District 3 and Oakland business owner. I strongly urge the City of Oakland to adopt an investment policy standard that prohibits investments in companies that facilitate and enable state violence, war occupation, repression, or violations of international law and human rights, such as apartheid and genocide. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Companies that facilitate and enable Israeli apartheid and occupation of the Palestinian people;
- Industries of security, defense, and military, including companies that transport military goods;
- Industries a part of the prison industrial complex and detention, including companies that use prison labor.
As someone who works closely with incarcerated, unhoused, and otherwise marginalized communities, I see the direct impact local governments can have on the lives of the most vulnerable (whether in their jurisdictions or on a global scale.) The adoption of this policy standard would do more than communicate much-needed resistance to oppression and genocide; it would change the material realities of those who need Oakland's support the most.
Like many other residents of Oakland, I support divesting our tax dollars from genocide by amending Oakland’s investment policy to prohibit city investments in companies and financial institutions that enable state repression, war, and human rights violations. US spending on militarism takes directly away from our community needs – instead of funding israel's horrific violence, that money could be used to improve housing, schools, and healthcare right here in our neighborhoods. Oakland has long been a leader in taking action for justice, such as by divesting from the South African apartheid, and has the opportunity to do so again. Please hear the concerns of the Oakland community and amend the investment policy.
Along with many residents of Oakland, I support divesting our tax dollars from genocide by amending Oakland’s investment policy to prohibit city investments in companies and financial institutions that enable state repression, war, and human rights violations. US spending on militarism takes directly away from our community needs – instead of funding israel's horrific violence, that money could be used to improve housing, schools, and healthcare right here in our neighborhoods. Oakland has long been a leader in taking action for justice, such as by divesting from the South African apartheid, and has the opportunity to do so again. Please hear the concerns of the Oakland community and amend the investment policy.
As a long time resident of district 1, I support divesting our tax dollars from genocide by amending Oakland’s investment policy to prohibit city investments in companies and financial institutions that enable state repression, war and human rights violations.
U.S. financial support of Israel is a local issue where the council’s influence can make a true difference. Community members have drafted legislation and have done legal reviews, this new investment policy is ready to go and just needs a courageous city council member to introduce it.
Thank you.
My name is Ellie Poling, I am a District 2 resident, OUSD employee and SEIU 1021 chapter leader. I support adopting an investment policy that prohibits investments in companies and financial institutions that enable human rights violations, including apartheid, occupation, and genocide. Our tax dollars should be used for public goods such as clean water, healthcare, education, and housing. We do not have to invest in companies that enact imperial violence. We cannot live off death. I urge the council to choose an ethical way forward for our city and divest from all institutions aiding the israeli occupation of Palestine.
I'm a resident of Oakland D1 and I urge Oakland to divest our tax dollars from genocide by amending Oakland’s investment policy to prohibit city investments in companies and financial institutions that enable state repression, war and human rights violations. I want to live in a city that's on the right side of history and takes a stand against genocide and apartheid.