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CAATnews Oct/Nov 2005 - Local Campaigns |
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CoE refuses to disinvest in Caterpillar On September 21st the Church of England's Ethical Investment Advisory Group announced its decision not to recommend disinvestment in US company Caterpillar. The Caterpillar D9 bulldozer has been used by the Israeli military to destroy Palestinian homes and agricultural land in the West Bank and Gaza and to construct the illegal "Separation Wall". In addition, one of these machines killed American peace activist Rachel Corrie two years ago. Caterpillar has been criticised by the UN for its complicity in human rights abuses and the D9 has been described by the Israeli Defence Force as its most important weapon in the Occupied Territories. However, the Anglican Church still refuses to withdraw its £2.2 million of shares in the company, claiming that this is a complex issue requiring a "balanced" approach that takes into account the use of Caterpillar equipment in other Middle Eastern countries. CAAT Christian Network will be joining with other groups in putting pressure on the Church of England to disinvest. Check out Edinburgh CAAT news Edinburgh CAAT group has a few events coming up, to raise funds and let people know what we are doing. This includes a Coffee Morning; an annual "Singing for CAAT." (see www.protestinharmony.org.uk if you would like this group to come to your area); and regular stalls outside the Edinburgh Council to challenge unclean investment of pension funds. At our meeting in July we decided to look for an enthusiastic person to help develop the CAAT network in the Edinburgh area. As well as our ongoing fundraising we are asking people to set up small standing orders to help us continue this after the first year. If you want to support our venture to develop CAAT here in Edinburgh we would be delighted to receive
any donations to Edinburgh CAAT, c/o Peace and Justice Centre, St John.s Church, Princes Street,
Edinburgh EH2 4BJ. CAAT National Gathering coming soon! Saturday 12th November - put it in your diary now as the day to come to CAAT's National Gathering. Through discussions, talks, and workshops, this will be the place to become better informed about the arms trade, have an input into our campaigns and meet other wonderful anti-arms campaigners. Registration will be from 10am and the day will finish around 5pm. There will be no charge and a vegetarian lunch and tea and coffee will be provided, though donations will be welcomed! It will take place at Mary Ward House, 5 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SN, just around the corner from Russell Square tube station. The venue has disabled access. For more information and to register for discussions, talks, and workshops please email outreach(at)caat·org·uk or call the office on 020 7281 0297. Looking forward to seeing you there! Alun Morinan Alun Morinan started as the volunteer co-ordinator of the CAAT Christian Network on 6th September. He writes: I have been a supporter of CAAT since the 1980s and served on the committees of my local CND group and of Conscience - the Peace Tax Campaign for a number of years. I am currently secretary of Avenue Baptist Church in Beckenham and convenor of the Anabaptist Network London South Group. We are hoping to reinvigorate the CAAT Christian Network and its resources over the coming months. Please get in contact if you have any questions or ideas, or if you would like to join the network. I can be contacted in the CAAT office on Tuesdays or via email on outreach(at)caat·org·uk |
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