Category Archives: Past Events

Past MN Break the Bonds Campaign events

Announcements, Events, Past Events

MN Break the Bonds condemns the State Board of Investment’s decision and representation of Israel bonds

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 5, 2015 — Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign (MN BBC) strongly condemns the decision on Wednesday, March 4 by the State Board of Investment, as initiated by a motion from Governor Dayton, not to divest from Israel bonds, which are maturing on June 30, 2015. The motion came after a presentation by former South Dakota Senator and co-founder of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee James Abourezk urging the State Board of Investment not to continue to use state pension funds to invest in Israel because of its human rights abuses and oppressive occupation of Palestinians, and the Executive Director of the JCRC who claimed that Israel bonds are an important investment for Minnesota and that their rates are competitive.

After hearing the testimony, Governor Dayton put forth a motion calling on the SBI to “decline to divest” from Israel bonds so long as the bonds continue to return at competitive rates and not pose financial risks for the state, as per their fiduciary responsibility. The Governor remarked that he was behind the effort of the initial purchasing of the bonds and believes they are an important investment to maintain. Attorney General Lori Swanson questioned SBI Director Mansco Perry as to whether these bonds were financially lucrative, pose risks, and have rates similar to other bonds, to which he answered yes. The Board voted 3-1, with State Auditor Rebecca Otto voting no on the basis that she did not believe that the Board should weigh in on an individual bond decision or bring political considerations to an individual divestment decision. Otto’s statement affirms the assertion of MN Break the Bonds that the nature of Dayton’s motion and Israel bonds in general are indeed political. Break the Bonds estimates that since the bonds are general Treasury bonds, at least 20% of Minnesota’s investments are used for settlement activity in the occupied West Bank or towards other infrastructure maintaining the occupation. The occupation is illegal under international law and as such Minnesota is making a political statement by continuing to be invested in a military occupation in violation of international law.

Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign challenges the claim that the state’s Israel bonds were purchased for fiduciary rather than political reasons. While the bonds may provide a small and reliable return, this is not the basis on which they are sold. The bonds were purchased as “solidarity bonds” which are sold privately by the Israel Development Corporation as a way to show support for the state of Israel, not for financial competitiveness. “Israel bonds are not prudent investments because they are not competitive; they are not liquid and even the Israel Development Corporation acknowledges that the return is not competitive,” says Karen Schraufnagel, economist and member of MN Coalition for Palestinian Rights.

MN Break the Bonds mobilized supporters in the last several months to call on the SBI to not reinvest in the $10 million bonds, which mature at the end of June. Through this effort they collected over 1,200 signatures from residents of MN calling on the state not to reinvest.

MN Break the Bonds has been calling on the SBI to divest from Israel bonds since 2008 in a broad grassroots campaign with several thousand supporters from around the state, including chapters in the Twin Cities, Duluth, Rochester, Morris, and Willmar. The Break the Bonds campaign follows the Palestinian civil society call in 2005 for boycott, divestment, and sanctions against the state of Israel until Israel complies with international law and enables justice for human rights violations against Palestinians. MN Break the Bonds calls on all supporters of human rights to continue demanding that the State Board of Investments stop investing in Israel bonds.

MN Break the Bonds is a grassroots campaign supported by Friends of Sabeel North America-MN, US Palestinian Community Network-MN, Jewish Voice for Peace Twin Cities, Women Against Military Madness, Anti-War Committee, Middle East Peace Now, and several other community organizations.

Events, Past Events

NEW REPORT: Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign at the December 2, 2014 State Board of Investment Meeting

NEW REPORT ON ISRAEL’S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD. Read here: MN BBC Shadow Report on Israel’s Human Rights Record

Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign once again had a fabulous showing with about 25 supporters at the State Board of Investment meeting on December 2. At this meeting we presented the four executive officers of the Board (Governor Mark Dayton, State Auditor Rebecca Otto, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, and Attorney General Lori Swanson), along with Executive Director Mansco Perry and Secretary of State – Elect Steve Simon, copies of a Shadow Report, that we had written (see the Cover Letter and read the report).

In the 1990s when Mark Dayton was State Auditor, he encouraged the SBI to incorporate investment guidelines which took into account human rights of a country before the SBI could invest. Countries were researched based on six human rights categories and classified into one of three groups. Group I was the best and the SBI could invest in Group I countries without restriction (except as imposed by the statutes). Group II countries had some issues, although generally laws were on the books protecting human rights. If a fund manager wanted the SBI to invest in a Group II country, he or she had to make a statement that it would be a breach of fiduciary duty NOT to invest. Group III countries were the most problematic and investment in those countries required justification for the investment. Countries were to be re-categorized annually. Israel had always been classified as a Group II country.

The SBI became lax about re-categorizing countries annually and 2005 was the last re-categorization. At that time they decided to change the annual process into a quadrennial one. Yet in 2009 they did not re-categorize any country. Since this process should take place prior to the issuance of the SBI’s annual report, where all countries are listed with the categories, MN BBC took it upon ourselves to write the report for them. We took the six criteria and researched reports that well-respected human rights organizations had written regarding those six criteria:

(1) Freedom from Political or Extrajudicial Killing or Disappearance
(2) Freedom from Torture
(3) Right to a Fair Public Trial and Due Process
(4) Freedom of Speech and Press
(5) Right of Citizens to Change Laws, Officials and Government, and
(6) Freedom from Discrimination based on Race, Religion, Sex or Social Status

Based on the results of the research, we requested that the Board re-classify Israel as a Group III country – one that commits egregious human rights abuses.

At the beginning of the quarterly SBI meeting we distributed the paper to the board. We had informed them in advance that we would like some time at the end of the meeting to introduce the paper. Governor Dayton gave Ilana the floor and she stayed at the table while the SBI debated aspects of Minnesota’s investment in Israel Bonds. Perry said that the country categorization only refers to equity, not bonds. Ilana asked a pointed question which made that statement look foolish – why, if investing in a country’s equities is bad for human rights reasons, would it be acceptable to invest in their bonds? Rebecca Otto, the State Auditor, repeated several times that the SBI does not get involved in politics and that we should go to the state legislature. Ilana responded that the decision to invest in the Bonds in the first place was a political one. Governor Dayton appeared to be reluctant to give the legislature power over the SBI’s investment decisions. Read the report here: MN BBC Shadow Report on Israel’s Human Rights Record

Mansco Perry said that the country categorization process was only for “emerging markets” and since Israel is no longer an emerging market it automatically becomes a Group I country.

Throughout Ilana’s presentation, the governor was paging through the report and apparently taking it in.

The next quarterly SBI meeting in March (the date is not posted yet), is when renewal of the investment in the $10 million Israel Bond will come up for discussion. It is imperative that we show up in force and let the Board know that we do NOT want Minnesota taxpayers’ money to fund human rights abuses. If you have not yet signed the petition asking the SBI not to re-invest, please contact us through the website or at mn@breakthebonds.com. This is a paper-only petition and we need as many signatures as possible by March 1.

Announcements, Events, Past Events

For the Children of Gaza: A Benefit Show – Sunday, August 17

MN Break the Bonds is co-sponsoring a benefit concern on Sunday, August 17 that is raising funds for humanitarian aid to Gaza through music and solidarity. The show runs from 2:00pm-10:00pm. Suggested donation of $15 at the door. Come and bring your friends & family! All proceeds will be sent to ANERA for their work on the ground in Gaza.

For more information, check out the event’s website at http://forthechildrenofpalestine.com/

Please consider making a donation to ANERA if you aren’t able to attend the event.

 

Articles, Featured, Past Events

MN Break the Bonds Campaign joins Minneapolis protest of 1,500 against the attacks on Gaza

1500 join Minnesota march in solidarity with Gaza

July 19, 2014
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Anh Pham, of the Minnesota Committee to Stop FBI Repression. (FightBack! News/Staff)

Columbia Heights, MN – More than 1500 people joined a massive rally and march here, July 18, to stand in solidarity with Gaza and to demand an end to Israel’s attacks. Crowds lined the sidewalks for blocks and then took the street, marching down Central Avenue, one of the busiest thoroughfares in the Twin Cities.

According to a statement from protest leaders, the demonstration was held “to give voice to growing opposition to Israel’s inhumane attacks, and to build pressure on the Minnesota’s congressional delegation to end U.S. military aid to Israel.”

Grassroots call-in days and meetings with members of the state’s congressional delegation have targeted Representatives Ellison and McCollum and Senators Klobuchar and Franken, urging them to vote against continued U.S. support for Israel.

Sabry Wazwaz, of the Minnesota Anti-War Committee, urged protesters to learn from the spirit of Malcolm X in challenging U.S. support for the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

Anh Pham, of the Minnesota Committee to Stop FBI Repression demanded the federal government drop the trumped up charges against Palestinian leader Rasmea Odeh and called on people to pack the court room at her trial Sept. 8, in Detroit.

Meredith Aby-Keirstead, a spokesperson for the Anti-War Committee, who traveled to Gaza in 2002, explains, “Israel is bombing Gaza, one of the most densely populated places on the planet, and claiming everything as a military target. In fact, they have targeted mosques, schools, hospitals, infrastructure like electrical lines and nearing 1000 homes. Last Saturday, Israel bombed a center for the disabled, killing both patients and nurses. And last weekend every single building operated by the UN for Palestinian refugees in Gaza were bombed. Israel receives over $3 billion in U.S. aid every year. Our tax dollars are paying for this massacre.”

Aby-Keirstead told demonstrators, “It is hypocritical for the president to criticize Palestinians for fighting back with rocks or rockets or whatever when Israel has been occupying, land grabbing, starving, beating, jailing and killing Palestinians for over 50 years. Palestinians are an occupied people have the right to resist.”

The protest was initiated by Anti-War Committee and Coalition for Palestinian Rights, with support from Al-Aqsa Institute of Minnesota, American Muslims for Palestine – Minnesota, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Minnesota Break the Bonds, Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAc) Socialist Action, Students for a Democratic Society at UMN, Students
for Justice in Palestine (SJP UMN), Welfare Rights Committee and Women Against Military Madness (WAMM).

A large turnout is expected for the July 23 Peace Bridge Vigil, which will focus on Palestine. The action will take place 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., on the Lake Street and Marshall Avenue Bridge, which spans the Mississippi between Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Featured, Past Events

Colonialism From Two Perspectives: Native American and Palestinian Commonalities

Disappearing Indigenous LandCOLONIALISM FROM TWO PERSPECTIVES:

Native American & Palestinian Commonalities

SATURDAY, NOV. 23, NOON to 2pm at the SUPERIOR PUBLIC LIBRARY

PANEL SPEAKERS:

-Reyna Crow of Idle No More and the Northwoods Wolf Alliance

-Karen Redleaf of MN Advocates for Peace & Justice in the Middle East

You’re invited to presentation on colonization as experienced by both Native Americans and Palestinians.  Both peoples have been victims of ethnic cleaning, colonization and settler colonialism. Tragically, both peoples are far too familiar with war, death, occupation and bogus peace processes and negotiations that have only resulted in the loss of more of their land.  Come learn and discuss the ongoing injustices perpetuated against Native & Palestinian peoples, and what you can do to help the struggle for justice.  This event is free and open to the public.

Sponsored by the Twin Ports Break the Bonds Campaign www.twinportsbbc.blogspot.com

Past Events

URGENT: TAKE ACTION FOR GAZA NOVEMBER 21-29

Photo: Jihad Misharawi, BBC Arabic Correspondent, carries his son’s body at a Gaza hospital. (AP)

TAKE ACTION FOR GAZA: Stop the bombs, stop the siege, stop the blank check

[November 20, 2012] Over120 Palestinians have already been killed and 920 injured in Israel’s relentless attack on Gaza. We urge each of you to mark your calendar for at least one of the following events to join folks from across the Twin Cities and Minnesota to SAY NO TO INJUSTICE. Individually we can be ignored, but together we can make our voices heard. For the latest news on what is taking place on the ground in Gaza, visit imeu.net. In addition, check out these helpful Talking Points from the US Campaign.

We also urge you to call call your Congresspeople and demand that our government insist that Israel stop its attacks on Gaza NOW:

Congressman Keith Ellison DC 202-225-4755 or Mpls 612-522-1212
Congresswoman Betty McCollum DC 202-225-6631 or St Paul 651-224-9191
Senator Franken DC 202-224-5641 or St. Paul 651-221-1016
Senator Klobuchar DC 202-224-3244 or Mpls 612-727-5220

1. Wednesday November 21 4:30-5:30 weekly vigil on Lake Street Bridge over Mississippi (Marshall Ave on St. Paul side.) Focus will be on Gaza. Park on either side. There is a gathering for comments and announcements at 5:30 on St. Paul side. (Initiated by Twin Cities Peace Campaign, WAMM and Antiwar Committee) → This event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/436794309710852/

2. Friday November 23

A. 12:45 PM Rochester March from Islamic Center to Govt. Center

B. 4:15-5:30 PM Weekly Palestine Vigil Summit and Snelling St. Paul

3. Saturday November 24 2:00-3:00 pm Banner / Rally / March. Gather Loring Park (Hennepin Ave. side near bandshell and near footbridge over Hennepin) (Initiated by Coalition for Palestinian Rights) → This event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/133543070130757/

4. Wednesday November 28 12:15 PM Northrup Mall at U of M a “Die In.” (Initiated by Students for a Democratic Society and Student for Justice in Palestine)

5. Thursday November 29 4:00-5:30 PM Demonstration and Rally outside Senator Klobuchar’s office 1200 Washington Ave. (across 35W from West Bank) Following action caravan to 4200 Cedar Ave. for dinner and 6 PM forum “Who Are the Holy Land 5?” (Initiated by Committee to Stop FBI Repression)

Past Events

TAKE ACTION: It’s your turn to tell the Timberwolves “Don’t Play with Apartheid!”

The MN Timberwolves are scheduled to play against the Israeli team, Maccabi-Haifa, this Tuesday, October 16. This game is part of Israel’s vast public relations campaign to gloss over its crimes against humanity. One of Israel’s tactics is to send musicians, artists, and sports teams, abroad as “cultural ambassadors,” to give the impression that all is “normal” in Israel. We say apartheid should not be normalized!

A letter endorsed by over 100 human rights and community organizations was sent to each Timberwolves player, yet we have not heard a response from any of them.

Help us make our voices louder!

Sign our petition to demand “MN Timberwolves: Don’t Play with Apartheid, Boycott Israel!” http://chn.ge/QmcYTI

Tweet @MNTimberwolves using #BoycottIsraelSports between now and 7 pm on Tuesday, October 16 (game time).

Feel free to use these tweets and/or to get creative. You can just copy and paste–these are less than 140 characters, we checked!

RT if you think @MNTimberwolves should cancel their game with Maccabi-Haifa in s’port of human rights for all! #BoycottIsraelSports

RT if u think @MNTimberwolves should refuse to play Maccabi-Haifa because apartheid is not MN Nice #BoycottIsraelSports

We want to hear from you @MNTimberwolves! Will you s’port apartheid or equality? http://bit.ly/Tk924t #boycottisraelsports

RT if you think @KevinLove should boycott apartheid because love is more than just a name http://bit.ly/Tk924t #BoycottIsraelSports

–>You can also tweet at almost all the different Timberwolves players–just click on the links below!

Post on Facebook!

Make your status: Sign this petition if you think apartheid is not a game the MN Timberwolves should be playing: http://chn.ge/SXsgMt

Use this image for your cover or profile picture: http://mn.breakthebonds.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/LovBballHateApartheid.jpg

Thank you for taking action!

List of Twitter Accounts for Timberwolves players:

https://twitter.com/DlamarC33

https://twitter.com/RobbieHummel

https://twitter.com/KirilenkoJersey

https://twitter.com/leezy3

https://twitter.com/kevinlove

https://twitter.com/LukeRidnourNews

https://twitter.com/Brandon_Roy

https://twitter.com/rickyrubio9

https://twitter.com/Shved23

https://twitter.com/gregstiemsma

https://twitter.com/RealDwill7

https://twitter.com/CHILLCONROY

https://twitter.com/jtaylor8ball

MN BBC vs. SBI Lawsuit, Past Events

Minnesota Court of Appeals to Hear Israel Bonds Divestment Appeal

For Immediate Release

September 24, 2012

On September 27, 2012, the Minnesota Court of Appeals will hear arguments in an appeal brought by the Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign (MN BBC) against the Minnesota State Board of Investment (SBI). The hearing is currently scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m. in Courtroom 300 of the Minnesota Judicial Center at 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., in St. Paul.

MN BBC and others, including the besieged Palestinian village of Bil’in in the West Bank, sued the SBI for violating Minnesota law by investing in Israel Bonds. The appellants contend that Minnesota Statute 11A.24 restricts the SBI’s investment in foreign government bonds to Canadian Bonds, which excludes Israel Bonds. They also contend that the purchase of Israel Bonds materially supports Israel’s human rights violations and its continuing construction of illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, an internationally recognized violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, a ratified treaty binding on Minnesota courts pursuant to Article VI of the U.S. Constitution. The appeal followed the dismissal of the lawsuit by Ramsey County District Court Judge Margaret Marrinan earlier this year.

Israel Bonds, an arm of the Government of Israel, has hired Minneapolis attorney Charles Nauen to advise them about the issues surrounding the case. Israel Bonds is concerned that the lawsuit could set a precedent for lawsuits in other states, according to a recent statement by the executive director of Israel Bonds Midwest Region. Nauen is a local pro-Israel activist and a recognized political figure in Minnesota politics, having served as Governor Dayton’s chief co-counsel during the election recount. Nauen has boasted that he has received training from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in tactics employed to resist the worldwide Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

Patterned after the South African anti-apartheid movement, the worldwide BDS movement is a response to the Palestinian call for non-violent resistance to Israel’s violations of international law and human rights in its treatment of the indigenous Palestinian population. MN BBC is an active participant in the BDS movement. Because of Governor Dayton’s position as the chairperson of the SBI and his close ties to Nauen, Israel’s retention of Nauen to represent its interests with respect to MN BBC’s Israel Bond divestment efforts raises serious questions about the extent of Israeli governmental influence in the affairs of Minnesota state government. Governor Dayton has been particularly resistant to MN BBC’s divestment demands, even after receiving information that the SBI’s investment in Israel Bonds materially supports human rights violations and illegal settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Media are invited to attend the hearing on September 27 but must register with the court prior to bringing recording devices.

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Photo: phototour.minneapolis.mn.us

 

Events, Past Events

From Georgia to Palestine: Connecting the Struggles Against Colonialism and Incarceration

Join us for a screening of the film Hunger, followed by a discussion of the role of prisoner rebellion and resistance in our shared struggles for liberation in the U.S., Palestine, and everywhere.

September 27, 2012 | 7 pm

at the Minnehaha Free Space 3747 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis

Across the globe and throughout history, struggles against colonialism and imperialism have been inextricably linked with the fight against incarceration and punitive social control. In the past year alone, we’ve seen prisoner strikes from Palestine to California, Syria to North Carolina, and Chile to the state of Georgia, all vital components of broader movements for social change.

Hunger (2008) follows the events of the 1981 Irish hunger strike by political prisoners in Northern Ireland’s Maze Prison. The hunger strike was called off after 10 Irish liberation prisoners, including leader Bobby Sands, died.

Note: Hunger is not rated, but contains graphic and disturbing footage that may be inappropriate for children. Childcare will be provided for this event, with a simultaneous screening of a kid’s movie.

Sponsored by Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign, Mizna and the Women’s Prison Book Project