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BootCAT News Blog
News and Events on the BootCAT Campaign to Stop Caterpillar
:: Monday, March 05, 2007 ::
Protest for Rachel Corrie at Milton-CAT, Milford, MA :: Saturday 10:30 AM, March 17, 2007
On March 16, 2003, Rachel Corrie, an American peace activist, was killed by a Caterpillar bulldozer while protecting a Palestinian house from demolition.
On Saturday, March 17, 2007, Boston-area activists will travel to the headquarters of the largest CAT dealership in the Northeast, Milton-CAT in Milford, Massachusetts. They will hold a peaceful protest outside its gates, demanding that the Caterpillar Corporation live up to its Worldwide Code of Business Conduct and stop selling Israel bulldozers that it uses to destroy homes and lives. Similar protests will take place across the US and internationally to mark the fourth anniversary of Rachel Corrie’s death.
Download PDF Flyer
Join us for the protest at Milton-CAT (10:30 am onwards).
DIRECTIONS from BOSTON to Milton-CAT at 100 Quarry Drive, MILFORD, MA 01757
Take I-90 WEST out of Boston - go 27.5 mi Take exit #11A towards CAPE COD onto I-495 SOUTH - go 7.9 mi Take exit #20 towards MILFORD At the bottom of the offramp, turn Right onto RT-85 Turn Left at first light onto FORTUNE BLVD Turn Right on QUARRY DR - go 0.2 mi Continue on QUARRY past the CAT complex and park in the shopping center parking lot just ahead.
:: Thursday, June 29, 2006 ::
Naji Al-Ali's Cartoons: Outdoor Art Exhibit, Harvard Sq, July 1-2, 6-8pm
Naji Al-Ali: An Icon of Palestinian Diaspora
Outdoor Art Installation, Harvard Square, July 1-2, 6-8:00 PM
You are cordially invited to view an installation of 50 distinguished works by the late Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali.
Naji al-Ali's bold and illustrative cartoons, widely published over the past 20-30 years, reveal the tragic state of the Middle East. The artist combined art and political satire like none other; his work sadly still rings true today.
Naji al-Ali draws in simple mesmerizing lines a sincere critique of all sides in the conflict, and the world's complicity in the prolonged occupation of the Palestinians.
Pieces displayed at the installation were graciously provided by the artists' family, specifically for this exhibition.
Where: Winthrop Park in front of Pete's Coffee in Harvard Sq., Cambridge
When: Saturday July 1 & Sunday July 2 @ 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Rain date: Sunday July 2nd, 6-8pm, First Congregational Church, Sage Room (basement), 11 Garden St., Harvard Sq., Cambridge.
The artwork will be displayed on an elaborate set representing the Apartheid Wall in Palestine. You are invited to enjoy the exhibit, participate in painting the wall, and interact with pedestrians celebrating freedom & liberty on this Independence Day weekend.
The film "Naji Al-Ali: An Artist with Vision" may be shown outdoors at the installation, pending the weather.
Brought to you by Tawassul, a Cambridge-based nonprofit initiative established to promote Palestinian identity through visual arts and performance. http://www.tawassul.org
Brief Biography of the Artist
Naji al-Ali was one of the most prominent cartoonists in the Arab world. Sarcastic, poignant and perhaps too bold, El Ali's cartoons were drawn from his experience as a Palestinian refugee since childhood and clearly reflected his political stance. Naji al-Ali had no political affiliations and the absence of slogans and dogma in his work brought both success and criticism.
His cartoons portrayed the bitter struggle and plight of the Palestinian people against Israeli oppression. He also campaigned against the absence of democracy, widespread corruption, and gross inequality in the Arab world. He was said to have antagonized virtually everyone in the Middle East. During his lifetime, he was said to have drawn around 40,000 drawings, on average two cartoons a day. He worked for various publications in the Arab world. He was imprisoned various times for antagonizing political leaders with his critical cartoons. At the end of his life, he lived in exile in London, having been forced to leave Kuwait.
On Wednesday July 22nd, 1987, a lone gunman shot Naji al-Ali in the head as he left his office in London. After five weeks in a coma, he died at 5 AM on Saturday August 30th at the age of 49.
This exhibition celebrates the life and work of Naji al-Ali, nearly 20 years after his murder.
Flyer for Naji Ali Art Exhibit and Event Map (2-page PDF file)
http://www.sphrconcordia.org/naji/intro1.htm
:: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 ::
An Open Letter to Caterpillar, Inc.: Bulldozing Palestine
By JOSEPH SCHECHLA, CounterPunch, June 14, 2006
James W. Owens
CEO, Caterpillar Inc.
100 NE Adams Street
Peoria IL 61629 USA
Dear Mr. Owens:
We were once gratified to know that Caterpillar's Code of Worldwide Business Conduct recognizes "the social dimension of [corporate] responsibility [for] Caterpillar's impacts on the social systems in which we work and live. That observation is inarguable, and those impacts are variously felt across Caterpillar's worldwide operations. By its Code, Caterpillar has accepted "the responsibilities of global citizenshipî and asserted that: "Wherever we conduct business or invest our resources around the world, we know that our commitment to financial success must also take into account social priorities." This solid principle grounds a position of laudable corporate accountability and sets a standard for other enterprises as well.
Unfortunately, however, these principles continue to degrade beyond recognition, firstly, at the image of Caterpillar equipment on the frontline of Israel's destruction of Palestine and, ultimately, with the collective moral descent of Caterpillar stockholders and directors since April 2004. At that time, in response to a conscientious stockholder initiative, Caterpillar's decision makers squandered an opportunity to live up to their stated principles, and decided not to. Even the preceding murder of Rachel Corrie with the Israeli-army driven Caterpillar bulldozer did not give directors and stockholders pause enough to reconsider their corporate relations.
Caterpillar's failure to reconsider its relationship with the Israeli army is no mere sin of omission. Caterpillar Inc. is consciously abetting practices recognized as war crimes and crimes against humanity. That active decision prevails still, fully two years after the International Court of Justice determined the illegality of those actions of your client and committed partner.
Suspending the corporation's Code of Worldwide Business Conduct, Caterpillar's directors cynically have argued that such matters should be deferred to US foreign policy decision makers. However, by their cross-border business conduct and open dismissal of the consequences, Caterpillar's directors have assumed the mantle of de facto foreign policy decision makers.
Systematic demolition of Palestinian homes by bulldozer since 1947 is perhaps foremost among the destructive Israeli practices throughout Palestine in both physical and socioeconomic terms. This legacy evokes the systematic Israeli depopulation and demolition of 531 indigenous Palestinian villages in the first two years of Israel's proclamation of independence, and an ensuing continuum of practices that today are commonly identified with ethnic cleansing.
The continuous bulldozing of Palestinian homes has flattened 2,243 houses across both Gaza and the West Bank in 2004 alone, leaving some 14,000 Palestinians homeles s. According to the UN, your client's army has destroyed or irreparably damaged over 12,000 homes since 2001 in the Gaza Strip, including some 2,990 shelters, home to 28,500 refugees. In 2005, Israel used bulldozers to destroy at least 114 Palestinian homes in Jerusalem, and 50 in Gaza. Since 25 January 2006, Israel has likewise destroyed at least 48 Palestinian homes on the pretext that they lacked Israeli permits.
Since your last stockholders meeting, your official Israeli business partners have conducted much of their bulldozing destruction in the path of Israel's Separation Wall snaking across the West Bank. Surely you know that the International Court of Justice has advised the international community "not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by such construction. Building the Wall has involved uprooting hundreds of thousands of olive, citrus and other fruit trees, representing the livelihood of the indigenous communities; destroying hundreds of wells and agricultural storehouses; and tearing up roads and blocking thousands of others with concrete and earthen mounds. The Wall continues to displace thousands of people from their homes and deny them their livelihoods. Much of this deprivation is enabled by equipment that Caterpillar consciously provides for the nefarious task. This concern was the subject of the 18 May 2004 letter to you from the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food, which famously went unheeded.
A growing public now understands Caterpillar's association with these international criminal acts. Meanwhile, the Caterpillar website quotes you, Mr. Owen, rema rking that Caterpillar's "reputation for making a difference in the wo rld is something we are proud of as a companyóand as individuals. Whether it's caring for the safety of our fellow employees, improving the communities in which we live and work, or sustaining the environment we all share, Caterpillar people are fully committed to and engaged in good corporate citizenship. We are doing well by 'doing good' all around the world." However the knowing sale of Caterpillar equipment to Israel for purposes of demolition and dispossession of Palestinian communities runs contrary to all claims of "good corporate citizenship.
It would seem essential that a company at once identified with both ethnic cleansing and self-acclaimed social responsibility should take a more-responsible stand in the interest of its own integrity. At its 2006 stockholder meeting on 14 June, Caterpillar still faces an inescapable choice, precisely because its Israeli customers have helped widen the chasm of the corporation's ethical contradictions and invited the global public's perception of them.
With so much bad will accruing to Caterpillar's account, we urge its CEO, directors and shareholders to take the necessary, conscientious steps to restore their plummeting moral stock by formally, visibly and effectively denouncing their clients' illegal and criminal use of Caterpillar products. This minimum step includes genuine cooperation with human rights defenders and monitors, including cooperation with the investigation and prosecution of the murder of Rachel Corrie. At a minimum also, Caterpillar representat ives should find an alternative to their disingenuous deference to for eign policy makers, so notorious for failing to uphold the human rights provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act (1961).
Of course, a morally and legally grounded position by Caterpillar would have meaning only if it also accompanied the cessation of further sales and/or transfer of Caterpillar equipment and spare parts to those who have abused them at a cost to Caterpillar's public reputation, including Israel foremost. That naturally calls for refraining from the sale of Caterpillar equipment and parts to the Israel military and other relevant state bodies. Those include the Jewish National Fund, Jewish Agency and World Zionist Organization and their affiliates, particularly as all act on behalf of the State of Israel and engage in illegal population transfer and colonization practices.
Should Caterpillar's directors and stockholders resolve to take such corrective measures, we would remain ready to provide further information on the related issues, in order to clarify Caterpillar's corporate responsibility and repair its plummeting reputation. We also look forward to your corrective response and to further correspondence with Caterpillar Inc. toward using its resources, capacities and opportunities someday actually to build a better world.
Sincerely,
Joseph Schechla, coordinator
Housing and Land Rights Network
Habitat International Coalition
11 Tiba Street, 2nd Floor
Muhandisin, Giza
Egypt
http://www.counterpunch.org/schechla06142006.html
Activists scold Caterpillar for Middle East sales
By Bob Tita, June 14, 2006
(Crain’s) — Middle East peace activists stepped up their criticism of Caterpillar Inc.’s sales of bulldozers and other equipment that they say are used by the Israeli military to destroy the homes of Palestinians.
About two dozen people with signs picketed outside the Northern Trust Bank in Chicago where the Peoria-based equipment maker conducted its annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday. Inside the meeting, several shareholders took turns urging Cat CEO and Chairman James Owens to cease equipment sales to the government of Israel.
“You have choices. When we find that our equipment is being used to destroy human rights and somebody’s home you can say, ‘No, we don’t need to do that,’” said Craig Corrie, the father of Rachel Corrie, who was struck and killed by a Cat-built bulldozer in 2003 while attempting to block the demolition of Palestinian homes in Gaza by the Israeli military.
In the aftermath of Ms. Corrie’s death, a coalition of religious groups and Middle East peace organization took its fight to Caterpillar, arguing that the company’s equipment enables Israel to carry out its brutal occupation the Palestinians.
Members of the coalition that own shares of Cat stock, who were more voiciferous and organized than in past years, offered a proposal at the meeting to require the CEO and chairman’s titles be held by separate board members. Supporters said separating the two titles would allow the chairman to focus more on ethical and corporate policy issues, like equipment sales to Israel.
Cat’s board urged shareholders to reject the proposal, which was turned down by 62% of the shareholders voting on it. Mr. Owens repeatedly stressed that he and other board members are aware of the strife and human suffering occurring in the Middle East, but maintained Cat cannot end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
“It’s a terrible conflict. As parents and grandparents we hate to see the carnage,” he said. “We don’t believe we’re capable of resolving the problem.”
Mr. Owens explained that the federal government purchases Caterpillar construction equipment and then distributes it to Israel, the Palestinians and Egypt as part of a board aid package to those countries that’s been in place for decades. He added that Cat equipment is used widely throughout the Middle East for the civilian construction projects.
The protestors said the company should simply quit participating in aid programs where construction equipment ends up in the hands of the Israeli military.
“Nobody is asking Caterpillar to solve the Middle East conflict,” said Sydney Levy of Jewish Voice for Peace in San Francisco. “Just check what’s happening with your own equipment.”
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=20992
:: Monday, March 20, 2006 ::
NY Event - Words & Life of Rachel Corrie, March 22, 2006
Press Release: International Solidarity Movement, March 20, 2006
What: Rachel's Words - An Event to Honor the Words and Life of Rachel Corrie
When: 8:00 PM Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Where: Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive, New York, New York
Hosted by: Amy Goodman and James Zogby
On March 22, New York City will hear the words of Rachel Corrie at the Riverside Church in Manhattan. Rejecting efforts to silence Rachel's voice, a growing list of performers, writers, academics and activists will read selected writings from Rachel Corrie, and honor her through poems and songs. They will discuss the context in which her words were written, and the pervasive climate of fear in which they have been suppressed.
Rachel was a human rights activist and gifted writer. She was crushed to death by an Israeli Army bulldozer as she tried to protect the home of a Palestinian pharmacist from demolition in Rafah, Gaza Strip, on March 16th, 2003. Rachel was 23.
"My Name is Rachel Corrie" is a powerful one-woman show based entirely on the writings of Rachel Corrie. The play was scheduled to open at the New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) on March 22nd. The NYTW postponed the play indefinitely sparking an escalating controversy. James Nicola, the Director of the NYTW, told the New York Times that he needed time to "contextualize the play". The play, edited by Alan Rickman and Katharine Viner from Rachel's diaries and emails, was produced by the Royal Court Theatre in London. Starring Megan Dodds, it played to sold out audiences and wide acclaim.
In an extraordinary grassroots response to this controversy, Rachel's Words was launched by a handful of activists from a NYC apartment. In two weeks the organization has coordinated a worldwide response to ensure that Rachel's words will be heard. On March 16th, the 3rd Anniversary of Rachel's killing, her words were read at events in 13 countries, including ten locations in Palestine and Israel, and over 40 locations in the United States.
Vanessa Redgrave "contextualized" just what the postponement meant in an interview with Democracy Now: "Rachel's voice was silenced by an IDF bulldozer. In the play Rachel makes a speech as a ten year old about world poverty, and her belief that the world could end poverty. The New York Theater Workshop silenced that little girl too, who is speaking for people all over the world."
Participants include: Cindy & Craig Corrie, Anthony Arnove, Huwaida Arraf, Brian Avery, Nirit Ben-Ari, Leila Buck, Kia Corthron, Sherif
Fam, Suheir Hammad, Leonard Hubbard (from The Roots) with A. Marcy Francis (Vocalist), Brian Jones, Liz Magnes, Malachy McCourt, Betty
Shamieh, Jonathan Tasini, Zafer Tawil, Tom Wallace, Ora Wise, and
Maysoon Zayid
Participating by video: Maya Angelou, Patti Smith, Eve Ensler, Mariam
Said, Najla Said
Media Contact: Ann Petter: 212.246.7528, Tom Wallace: 617.461.1041
For updated information visit http://www.RachelsWords.org/
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00373.htm
:: Saturday, February 25, 2006 ::
March 16-18th 2006 Rachel Corrie Vigil, Film Showing and CAT Protest
On March 16th 2003 Rachel Corrie, a peace activist, was killed by a Caterpillar bulldozer while protecting a Palestinian home from demolition. http://www.rachelcorrie.org
Come see the film "The Killing Zone" and join a vigil in Rachel Corrie's memory, organized by the BootCAT Campaign and Boston-to-Palestine (B2P) on March 16th, 2006. Then join us for a peaceful CAT protest on March 18th in Milford, MA.
Download and distribute flyers for the events (PDF)
THE KILLING ZONE
A documentary film by Sandra Jordan for Britain's Channel 4 News Program. More details on the film here.
Thursday, March 16th 7:00-9:00 PM
The First Parish in Cambridge
3 Church Street in Harvard Square
PEACEFUL CAT PROTEST
Saturday, March 18th 11:00 AM-12:30 PM
Join us for a peaceful protest outside the Caterpillar regional headquarters in Milford, MA. Articles and images from the CAT protest in 2005.
SCHEDULE:
9:30 AM: Carpool to MILFORD, MA. Meet at Harvest Co-op (parking lot) in Central Square, Cambridge (Milford is approx 45 mins from Boston).
**Please bring your car to make sure everyone has a ride!
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: PROTEST @ MILTON-CAT IN MILFORD, MA.
DIRECTIONS from Cambridge to Milton-CAT at 100 Quarry Drive, MILFORD, MA 01757
Take I-90 WEST out of Cambridge - go 27.5 mi Take exit #11A towards CAPE COD onto I-495 SOUTH - go 7.9 mi Take exit #20 towards MILFORD At the bottom of the offramp, turn Right onto RT-85 Turn Left at first light onto FORTUNE BLVD Turn Right on QUARRY DR - go 0.2 mi Continue on QUARRY past the CAT complex and park in the shopping center parking lot just ahead.
See map here:
:: Monday, December 19, 2005 ::
BootCAT meeting Dec 20
Please join us for our last BootCAT meeting of the year:
Tuesday, Dec 20
6:30 pm
Christ Church (Zero Garden Street, Harvard Square)
We will formalize our strategy as we move forward into the new year, and Hannah will turn over notes and contacts to the group.
:: Monday, December 12, 2005 ::
BootCAT Strategic Planning 12/13
Please join BootCAT for a strategic planning session:
Tuesday, December 13
6:00-9:00 pm
Christ Church (Zero Garden Street, near Harvard Sq)
conference room upstairs and down the hall
Noura, from the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, will help us set our visions and plans for the new year, in light of other local, regional, national, and international efforts. Please come, and bring food to share if you're able to (if not, that's okay - many of you will probably be coming directly from work).
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