Human Rights Groups Secure Meeting with CEO of Caterpillar

A shareholders resolution to report weapons related equipment and products including where they are going received the 3.3% vote needed to be on the shareholders ballot. Suha Dabbouseh of the US Campaign to End the Occupation announced that her group, Jewish Voices for Peace and other human rights groups secured a future meeting with Jim Owens, the CEO of Caterpillar.

The shareholder initiative was also backed by Sisters of Loretto, Sisters of Mercy, and 11 other faith-based groups. Lynn Pollack of Jewish Voice for Peace introduced the resolution, saying "We believe that the use of Caterpillar equipment by foreign militaries in actions that violate human rights and international humanitarian law raises issues for Caterpillar corporate policy and risks damage to the company's reputation. ... As it stands, we know one place where Caterpillar machinery / weapons are being used to perpetrate human rights abuses in a conflict zone. That place is in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza."

During the meeting three area residents from the group Stop Cat were escorted out by plain clothed police officers after trying to read the names of Palestinian families who had their homes demolished by the Caterpillar D-9 bulldozers that the Israeli Army uses. One of the families mentioned was the Nasrallah family who's home was being defended by Rachel Corrie. She was trying to block the bulldozer's path when the operator of it ran over her and crushed her to death. The protesters chanted "Do the right thing!" Caterpillar was sued by Rachel Corrie's parents.

Human rights groups such as Human Right Watch, Amnesty International and groups within the UN have criticized Caterpillar for selling weaponized bulldozers to the Israeli army. These weaponized bulldozers continue to be used to destroy thousands of Palestinians homes and family orchards in the West Bank and Gaza in violation of international law

Caterpillar continues to be threatened by divestment campaigns. In 2005 the world counsel of churches which represent half a billion Christians issued a statement supporting selective divestment from companies that benefit from the Israeli Occupation. The Presbyterian Church had its national meeting and resolved to consider taking action against those companies that profit from the obstacles to a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians. These companies included Caterpillar, ITT Industries, Motorola, and United Technologies.

A demonstration and press conference was held before the shareholders meeting.