Congratulations to the Mpls City Council! Three cheers! See forward, below... ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2000 12:43:38 -0500 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: DIVESTMENT PASSES in MPLS For Immediate Release Contact: Mick Schommer, 612-874-7899 Minneapolis City Council Approves Human Rights Policy on Burma City to Sell-Off Stocks in Corporations Financing Burma's Military Regime, Adopt Ethical Standards on Burma-related Investments Minneapolis, MN (Friday, Oct. 13, 2000)-The City Council of Minneapolis voted 8-5 today on a human rights initiative that directs the city to sell off--or "divest"--its stocks and avoid future investments in companies that do business in Burma. Burma is controlled by brutal military regime with an abysmal human rights record, including forced labor of millions, rape, torture, mass killings, and opium/heroin trafficking. The divestment is authored by Council Member Jim Niland (Ward 6) and sponsored by the Free Burma Coalition. At today's meeting, Council members Herron, Mead, Campbell, and Council President Cherryhomes asked to be listed as co-authors. The Burma Divestment Resolution registers the city's outrage of the military dictatorship's abuses and the multi-national corporations that finance the regime to take advantaged of a slave-labor force and exploit the natural resources. "If we do nothing, we are sending a message that the city should profit from the atrocities in Burma," said Niland. The Council passed a similar "Selective Purchasing Resolution" a few months ago that would have prevented the city from buying products or accepting contract bids from companies involved in Burma. However, Mayor Sharon Sayles-Belton vetoed the measure in a move that surprised many Councilors and upset many community advocates. Council Member Ostrow, who had earlier voted against the purchasing resolution, changed his mind on the divestment issue. He said the new resolution satisfied his previous legal concerns and was building upon the city's history of adopting ethical parameters in its investment choices. Following this argument, the Mayor has also agreed to sign the Burma Divestment Resolution. . "This resolution is the final leg in a long journey to get the Minneapolis to take responsibility for how it uses public money and to stop the killing of my people," said Aung Koe, a Burmese activist. The success in Minneapolis bolsters the human rights movement for Burma after a Supreme Court decision this summer striking down a related measure in the State of Massachusetts, which cast a shadow over other Burma initiatives. Minneapolis now sends a strong message to local governments that they have the legal authority-and obligation-to exercise good judgment in dealing with corporate-sponsored abuses. "This is the least the city could do to keep its own hands clean from the bloodshed in Burma," remarked Patti Hurd, a county social worker and Free Burma Coalition volunteer. _____________________________________ Mick Schommer FREE BURMA COALITION - Minnesota 2549 Harriet Avenue South #2 Minneapolis, MN 55405 phone: 612-874-7899 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] web: www.FreeBurmaCoalition.org -- fwd by David Shove
