Contents: Why South Africa? • Why Michigan? • Will divestment endanger public pension funds? • What do black South Africans want? • How much is the U.S. involved? • But don't U.S. corporations help the blacks by creating jobs and setting a good example? • Would Michigan divestment have an effect? • What are others doing? • HB 4395 and HB 4396 and SB 170 and SB 171-a prudent divestment timetable • What can you do? • Join in the Struggle for Freedom • Brochure prepared by State Representative Perry Bullard in support of bills calling for divestment of stocks of companies operating in South African from pension funds of state of Michigan employees. The pension systems in...
Contents: Why South Africa? • Why Michigan? • Will divestment endanger public pension funds? • What do black South Africans want? • How much is the U.S. involved? • But don't U.S. corporations help the blacks by creating jobs and setting a good example? • Would Michigan divestment have an effect? • What are others doing? • HB 4395 and HB 4396 and SB 170 and SB 171-a prudent divestment timetable • What can you do? • Join in the Struggle for Freedom • Brochure prepared by State Representative Perry Bullard in support of bills calling for divestment of stocks of companies operating in South African from pension funds of state of Michigan employees. The pension systems in the bills include the State Employees' Retirement System, Public School Employees' Retirement System, Legislative Retirement System, and pensions for firefighters, police, and judges. The brochure makes the case that the state should not support apartheid, a unique form of racism in South Africa. Michigan has invested $2.85 billion in the public pension systems in corporations that operate in South Africa; these investments conflict with the spirit of Michigan's anti-discrimination laws and policies, and they affect Michigan's economy. Seventeen states, 60 cities, 9 countries, and one U.S. territory (Virgin Islands) have divested and/or approved selective purchase legislation against apartheid. The American Lutheran Church has sold all of its South African-related holdings, while the United Methodist Church and the Reformed Church of America have resolved to withdraw investments in U.S. corporations which do not leave South Africa. Michigan State University was the first major university to divest and has been joined by more than 51 other universities across the country, including Ohio State University, the University of Wisconsin and the University of Massachusetts. The brochure quotes Frederick Douglass: "Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will." It also quotes Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Dr. Allen Boesak. The brochure also mentions Robert Zevin, Rinfret Associates risk analysis firm, guerilla warfare, Anglican Archbishop of Johannesburg, the South African Council of Churches (SACC), Clifton Wharton, Jr., the Rockefeller Foundation, World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and Representative Virgil Smith, Jr.
