Massachusetts Coalition for Divestment from South Africa (MASS Divest)
Massachusetts Coalition for Divestment from South Africa (MASS Divest)
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Duration: 1980-1983?
Mass Divest was formed in 1980 as a broad coalition church, labor, community groups and anti-apartheid organizations to work for the divestment of Massachusetts pension funds from all banks and corporations operating in South Africa. In 1979 State Senator Jack Backman and State Representative Mel King filed legislation in both chambers of the State...
Mass Divest was formed in 1980 as a broad coalition church, labor, community groups and anti-apartheid organizations to work for the divestment of Massachusetts pension funds from all banks and corporations operating in South Africa. In 1979 State Senator Jack Backman and State Representative Mel King filed legislation in both chambers of the State Legislature requiring full divestment of the state pension funds. Backman and King saw the need for a broader coalition in order for a divestment bill to pass, leading to the formation of Mass Divest. Unions involved in Mass Divest included the Service Employees International Union (Locals 509 and 285); the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1489 and the Massachusetts Teachers Association. Community groups included Mobilization for Survival, the Boston Peoples Organization and the American Friends Service Committee. Anti-apartheid groups included the Boston Coalition for the Liberation of Southern Africa (BCLSA) and the TransAfrica Boston Support Group. In 1982 the State of Massachusetts enacted an act ending the investment of public pension funds in firms doing business in or with South Africa. It was the strongest divestment legislation of any state at that point and was passed over the veto of Governor Edward King. (Source: Make In Massachusetts, Not in South Africa: How We Won Divestment Legislation by Mass Divest, American Committee on Africa, March 1983)
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