My name is Cecilia Majzoub and I urge the city of Oakland to divest from all forms of support for Israel due to the 70+ year occupation of Palestine, the demolishment of cities and towns and villages throughout the country, and now of Lebanon, as well.
I am a resident of Oakland's D2 and I wholeheartedly support the City of Oakland divesting from companies that put profit over people. It's Oakland's history of progress and divestment from destructive practices and policies like fossil fuels and firearms that drove me to move across the country and build a new life here. As a newer neighbor, I only dare share my voice for causes that I understand to have impacts locally and globally. Oakland has often been a leader in the US for good policies and practices that respect and love people. I urge the Council to apply its high standards of respect for people by ensuring that we do not profit from genocide and displacement and that the companies who strive to do so are not seen as good partners in moving Oakland's legacy forward. Please, we should not be investing in someone else's harm to pretend to do something about our needs at home. I know and trust that Oakland is full of vibrant and thoughtful people capable of delivering policies that move us forward without holding others back. Do better, and divest from harm to build a better tomorrow for all.
My name is Vanessa and I live in Oakland's District 1. I strongly urge the city of Oakland to adopt an investment policy prohibiting investments in companies that participate in human rights violations including genocide, apartheid, and occupation. We already have divested from fossil fuels, tobacco, and firearms without fiscally impacting the city. Adopting a policy prohibiting investments in genocide, occupation, and apartheid is consistent with Oakland's values and helps ensure the safety of humanity as a whole.
My name is Mary, I live in Oakland D1.
I strongly support an investment policy prohibiting our money from going to companies and institutions that cause and enable human rights violations, including apartheid, occupation, and genocide.
Ethical divestment is nothing new in Oakland. We divested from South African apartheid in 1985, Burma in 1996, and from firearms, tobacco and fossil fuel since then. Previous divestments did not have a fiscal impact and allowed the City of Oakland to re-direct investments to more ethical and just places.
My name is Amee and I'm a D5 resident. I urge Oakland to divest from all companies involved in genocide, apartheid, land theft, and human rights violations. This includes divesting from: 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.
Let's spend our public money on funding care, not killing -- let's spend our public money on taking care of our local communities' needs such as homelessness, education, healthcare, and good jobs. We can support other kinds of financing, like public banking that does not invest in exploitative activities. We don't want our tax dollars to fund genocide!
Oakland has a rich history of responsible divestment, it should build on this and continue to be a beacon!
My name is Olivia Madison, I live in District 3 in Oakland CA. I support the City of Oakland adopting 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.
My name is Malia Byrne, I'm a resident of Oakland in District 3. I am writing to urge council members to adopt an investment policy that prohibits investments in companies and financial institutions that enable state repression, war, apartheid, and occupation. Oakland should invest in our communities, not in violence and genocide overseas.
I have lived in D1 for 13 years, and in Oakland for 15 years. I am adding to the voices urging city council to disallow investments that enable state violence, apartheid, and genocide. Investing in our city should be a virtuous cycle of growth and development that doesn't come at the expense of other cities. Our city has a proud history of divestment in both Burma and South Africa. Let's join the cities of Richmond and Hayward in divesting from genocide.
My name is Kate Goodin, I live in District 4 in Oakland. Born and raised in Berkeley. I'm encouraging Oakland to divest from all companies that participate in/profit off of the ongoing Israeli genocide of Palestinians - and from any other war crimes, mass incarceration and prison labor, while we're at it! Oakland has divested before and should do it again. Free Palestine!!
I came to sign up to speak, but I have to echo the 10 comments here before me: Oakland should divest from any organization that is contributing to the ongoing Israeli occupation and violence.
My name is Priya Amin and I live in Uptown Oakland in District 3. I've lived in Oakland for over 2 years.
I would like to give comment to urge Oakland City Council to adopt a policy that prohibits investments in companies the facilitate and enable state violence, war, and occupation, including the Israeli genocide of Palestine. The motion should ban investments in all companies that provide aid and weaponry to the Israeli occupation regime, military and defense industries, mass incarceration industries, and companies that use prison labor, among others.
Oakland deserves its funds to be used toward our collective benefit, not toward war and violence. We have problems in Oakland that should and need to take priority over any wars, but especially the current genocide of the Palestinian people.
My name is Chase Kamp and I live on Hillsborough Street in District 2. I wish to voice my support for the city 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. Our municipalities should not invest or do business with companies that profit from rogue states that flagrantly violate international law. The City has already divested from fossil fuels and firearms, now its time to withdraw from any entity that enables genocide. Thank you for acting on this measure.
I am a District 1 resident and I'm writing to voice my support for the city 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. Investing in our community shouldn't come at the expense of other communities' rights and lives. I'm proud to live in a city with a long history of ethical divestment, and I hope to see that tradition continue. Thank you for your time.
I urge the city of Oakland to prohibit 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 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; and industries of mass incarceration and detention, including companies that use prison labor. Neighboring cities such as Richmond and Hayward have already adopted policies similar to this. Oakland has a history of ethical divestment stretching back decades, and I ask you to continue that proud tradition. Thank you.
My name is Leti Morales, and I am a resident of Oakland's Fruitvale District. I urge the city of Oakland to prohibit 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 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; and industries of mass incarceration and detention, including companies that use prison labor. Neighboring cities such as Richmond and Hayward have already adopted policies similar to this, and Oakland should be on the right side of history and follow their lead. Thank you.
I am a new member of the Oakland community in support of the divestment from companies and institutions that uphold and enable the apartheid state, Israel. The violence that Israel has imposed on the indigenous people of Palestine is an inconcievable evil that the majority of Americans have finally started recognize. In my two years of Oakland residency it isn't lost on me how others are also starting to recognize the declining quality and frequency of monetary support in the neighborhoods that aren't near the Lake. The city would like some transparency on how necessary the funding, whether direct or passive, of a genocidal occupation is when you have the people of Oakland taking blame for cleanliness and danger that is the long term result of abandonment by the city council
My name is Silvio Lesnick. I've lived in Oakland for 16 years, am a public school special educator, and am the proud parent of an OUSD student of Jewish diasporic and SWANA descent. I'm writing to speak in support of the City of Oakland adopting a resolution to prohibit 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 a history of ethical divestment stretching back decades, and I ask you to continue that proud tradition. As a Jew I treasure as a central value the practice of 'tikkun olam' - mending the world - and I stand with countless voices calling for an end to over 7 decades of occupation and genocide enacted by the colonizer state of Israel against the people of Palestine. I implore you to follow the lead of cities like Richmond, Hayward, and others across the country (shoutout to Portland, ME and Hamtramck, MI). We need an ethical investment policy that doesn’t enable or participate in crimes against humanity. Thank you for your time.
I'm a student and Oakland resident and I'm writing to encourage the city council to adopt a policy that prohibits investment in companies and financial institutions that allow apartheid and ethnic cleansing. Oakland should follow the lead of Hayward and Richmond in making a commitment to divesting from companies that profit from state repression in Israel.
my name is amy silva, I've lived in the fruitvale neighborhood for over 10 years. I support adopting an investment policy that prohibits investments in companies and financial institutions that enable state repression, war and human rights violations, including apartheid and occupation. Investments reflect values, and we want to see our public funds invested in our collective well-being, instead of entities that enable oppression and destruction. Ethical divestment is nothing new in Oakland. We divested from South African apartheid in 1985, Burma in 1996, and from firearms, tobacco and fossil fuel since then. Previous divestments did not have a fiscal impact and allowed the City of Oakland to re-direct investments to more ethical and just practices and entities. I urge the city council to follow the lead of Hayward and Richmond and make steps to divest from these enabling institutions immediately.
My name is Clare Green. I'm an educator in Oakland Unified and a resident of District 7. I'm writing to urge you to follow the lead of cities like Hayward and Richmond and adopt an investment policy that prohibits investment in companies and financial institutions that enable state repression, war, and human rights violations, including apartheid and repression.
I am proud of Oakland's activist history and identity. Our city divested from apartheid South Africa in 1985 and Burma in 1996. We've taken steps to divest from firearms, tobacco, and fossil fuels. Let's stand on the right side of history on this, too.
My name is Cecilia Majzoub and I urge the city of Oakland to divest from all forms of support for Israel due to the 70+ year occupation of Palestine, the demolishment of cities and towns and villages throughout the country, and now of Lebanon, as well.
I am a resident of Oakland's D2 and I wholeheartedly support the City of Oakland divesting from companies that put profit over people. It's Oakland's history of progress and divestment from destructive practices and policies like fossil fuels and firearms that drove me to move across the country and build a new life here. As a newer neighbor, I only dare share my voice for causes that I understand to have impacts locally and globally. Oakland has often been a leader in the US for good policies and practices that respect and love people. I urge the Council to apply its high standards of respect for people by ensuring that we do not profit from genocide and displacement and that the companies who strive to do so are not seen as good partners in moving Oakland's legacy forward. Please, we should not be investing in someone else's harm to pretend to do something about our needs at home. I know and trust that Oakland is full of vibrant and thoughtful people capable of delivering policies that move us forward without holding others back. Do better, and divest from harm to build a better tomorrow for all.
My name is Vanessa and I live in Oakland's District 1. I strongly urge the city of Oakland to adopt an investment policy prohibiting investments in companies that participate in human rights violations including genocide, apartheid, and occupation. We already have divested from fossil fuels, tobacco, and firearms without fiscally impacting the city. Adopting a policy prohibiting investments in genocide, occupation, and apartheid is consistent with Oakland's values and helps ensure the safety of humanity as a whole.
My name is Mary, I live in Oakland D1.
I strongly support an investment policy prohibiting our money from going to companies and institutions that cause and enable human rights violations, including apartheid, occupation, and genocide.
Ethical divestment is nothing new in Oakland. We divested from South African apartheid in 1985, Burma in 1996, and from firearms, tobacco and fossil fuel since then. Previous divestments did not have a fiscal impact and allowed the City of Oakland to re-direct investments to more ethical and just places.
My name is Amee and I'm a D5 resident. I urge Oakland to divest from all companies involved in genocide, apartheid, land theft, and human rights violations. This includes divesting from: 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.
Let's spend our public money on funding care, not killing -- let's spend our public money on taking care of our local communities' needs such as homelessness, education, healthcare, and good jobs. We can support other kinds of financing, like public banking that does not invest in exploitative activities. We don't want our tax dollars to fund genocide!
Oakland has a rich history of responsible divestment, it should build on this and continue to be a beacon!
My name is Olivia Madison, I live in District 3 in Oakland CA. I support the City of Oakland adopting 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.
My name is Malia Byrne, I'm a resident of Oakland in District 3. I am writing to urge council members to adopt an investment policy that prohibits investments in companies and financial institutions that enable state repression, war, apartheid, and occupation. Oakland should invest in our communities, not in violence and genocide overseas.
I have lived in D1 for 13 years, and in Oakland for 15 years. I am adding to the voices urging city council to disallow investments that enable state violence, apartheid, and genocide. Investing in our city should be a virtuous cycle of growth and development that doesn't come at the expense of other cities. Our city has a proud history of divestment in both Burma and South Africa. Let's join the cities of Richmond and Hayward in divesting from genocide.
My name is Kate Goodin, I live in District 4 in Oakland. Born and raised in Berkeley. I'm encouraging Oakland to divest from all companies that participate in/profit off of the ongoing Israeli genocide of Palestinians - and from any other war crimes, mass incarceration and prison labor, while we're at it! Oakland has divested before and should do it again. Free Palestine!!
I came to sign up to speak, but I have to echo the 10 comments here before me: Oakland should divest from any organization that is contributing to the ongoing Israeli occupation and violence.
My name is Priya Amin and I live in Uptown Oakland in District 3. I've lived in Oakland for over 2 years.
I would like to give comment to urge Oakland City Council to adopt a policy that prohibits investments in companies the facilitate and enable state violence, war, and occupation, including the Israeli genocide of Palestine. The motion should ban investments in all companies that provide aid and weaponry to the Israeli occupation regime, military and defense industries, mass incarceration industries, and companies that use prison labor, among others.
Oakland deserves its funds to be used toward our collective benefit, not toward war and violence. We have problems in Oakland that should and need to take priority over any wars, but especially the current genocide of the Palestinian people.
My name is Chase Kamp and I live on Hillsborough Street in District 2. I wish to voice my support for the city 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. Our municipalities should not invest or do business with companies that profit from rogue states that flagrantly violate international law. The City has already divested from fossil fuels and firearms, now its time to withdraw from any entity that enables genocide. Thank you for acting on this measure.
I am a District 1 resident and I'm writing to voice my support for the city 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. Investing in our community shouldn't come at the expense of other communities' rights and lives. I'm proud to live in a city with a long history of ethical divestment, and I hope to see that tradition continue. Thank you for your time.
I urge the city of Oakland to prohibit 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 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; and industries of mass incarceration and detention, including companies that use prison labor. Neighboring cities such as Richmond and Hayward have already adopted policies similar to this. Oakland has a history of ethical divestment stretching back decades, and I ask you to continue that proud tradition. Thank you.
My name is Leti Morales, and I am a resident of Oakland's Fruitvale District. I urge the city of Oakland to prohibit 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 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; and industries of mass incarceration and detention, including companies that use prison labor. Neighboring cities such as Richmond and Hayward have already adopted policies similar to this, and Oakland should be on the right side of history and follow their lead. Thank you.
I am a new member of the Oakland community in support of the divestment from companies and institutions that uphold and enable the apartheid state, Israel. The violence that Israel has imposed on the indigenous people of Palestine is an inconcievable evil that the majority of Americans have finally started recognize. In my two years of Oakland residency it isn't lost on me how others are also starting to recognize the declining quality and frequency of monetary support in the neighborhoods that aren't near the Lake. The city would like some transparency on how necessary the funding, whether direct or passive, of a genocidal occupation is when you have the people of Oakland taking blame for cleanliness and danger that is the long term result of abandonment by the city council
My name is Silvio Lesnick. I've lived in Oakland for 16 years, am a public school special educator, and am the proud parent of an OUSD student of Jewish diasporic and SWANA descent. I'm writing to speak in support of the City of Oakland adopting a resolution to prohibit 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 a history of ethical divestment stretching back decades, and I ask you to continue that proud tradition. As a Jew I treasure as a central value the practice of 'tikkun olam' - mending the world - and I stand with countless voices calling for an end to over 7 decades of occupation and genocide enacted by the colonizer state of Israel against the people of Palestine. I implore you to follow the lead of cities like Richmond, Hayward, and others across the country (shoutout to Portland, ME and Hamtramck, MI). We need an ethical investment policy that doesn’t enable or participate in crimes against humanity. Thank you for your time.
I'm a student and Oakland resident and I'm writing to encourage the city council to adopt a policy that prohibits investment in companies and financial institutions that allow apartheid and ethnic cleansing. Oakland should follow the lead of Hayward and Richmond in making a commitment to divesting from companies that profit from state repression in Israel.
my name is amy silva, I've lived in the fruitvale neighborhood for over 10 years. I support adopting an investment policy that prohibits investments in companies and financial institutions that enable state repression, war and human rights violations, including apartheid and occupation. Investments reflect values, and we want to see our public funds invested in our collective well-being, instead of entities that enable oppression and destruction. Ethical divestment is nothing new in Oakland. We divested from South African apartheid in 1985, Burma in 1996, and from firearms, tobacco and fossil fuel since then. Previous divestments did not have a fiscal impact and allowed the City of Oakland to re-direct investments to more ethical and just practices and entities. I urge the city council to follow the lead of Hayward and Richmond and make steps to divest from these enabling institutions immediately.
Good afternoon Councilmembers,
My name is Clare Green. I'm an educator in Oakland Unified and a resident of District 7. I'm writing to urge you to follow the lead of cities like Hayward and Richmond and adopt an investment policy that prohibits investment in companies and financial institutions that enable state repression, war, and human rights violations, including apartheid and repression.
I am proud of Oakland's activist history and identity. Our city divested from apartheid South Africa in 1985 and Burma in 1996. We've taken steps to divest from firearms, tobacco, and fossil fuels. Let's stand on the right side of history on this, too.
Thank you for your time and consideration.