We’re campaigning to divest Philly from nukes. Four of the financial institutions that manage the Pension Board’s assets — Lord Abbett High Yield, Ariel Capital Holdings, Fiera Capital, and Northern Trust — collectively have billions invested in nuclear weapons. We’re urging the Philadelphia Board of Pensions to instruct these asset managers to exclude the top nuclear weapons producers from the City’s holdings. This divestment is of particular relevance, in light of the recent entry into force of the international nuclear ban treaty on January 22, 2021. It is timely for Philadelphia specifically, given the recent passage of a City Council resolution (210010, introduced by CM Katherine Gilmore Richardson), calling on the City of Philadelphia Pension Board to establish and adopt environmental social governance criteria in its investment policy statement.
The War Machine refers to the massive, global U.S. military apparatus that operates thanks to an alliance between the arms industry and policy makers. The War Machine prioritizes corporate interests over human rights, military spending over diplomacy and aid, preparing for combat over preventing wars, and profit over human life and the health of the planet. In 2021, the U.S. spent $742+ billion on foreign and domestic militarism, which is 47% of the federal discretionary budget. Almost 50% of that budget went directly to corporations that literally make a killing on killing.
Divestment is a tool for grassroots-driven change. Divestment campaigns have been a powerful tactic starting with the movement to divest from South Africa during the apartheid. Divestment is how all of us – anyone, anywhere – can take local action against the death and destruction of war.
215 Peoples Alliance
Amnesty International 112
Baltimore Nonviolence Center
Beyond the Bomb
Bryn Mawr Peace Coalition
Christian-Jewish Allies for Justice in Israel/Palestine, Greater Philadelphia
Brandywine Peace Community
CODEPINK
Environmentalists Against War
Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia
Greater Philadelphia Branch, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
Health Care For All Philadelphia
Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) Philadelphia Chapter
PA Voter Court Watch
Peacehome Campaigns
Peace, Justice, Sustainability NOW!
Philadelphia Green Party
Philadelphia Regional Anti-War Network (PRAWN)
Philly DSA
Show Up! America
Solidarity
The National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth (NNOMY)
United for Peace and Justice
United Nations Association of Greater Philadelphia
Veterans For Peace
Extinction Rebellion Philadelphia
World BEYOND War
World Can’t Wait
5-Part Divestment 101 Webinar Series with CODEPINK & World BEYOND War
Divest Your City Toolkit: Template for passing a city council resolution.
Divest Your School: University guide for student activists.