Press release issued by the United Church of Christ (UCC) Office of Communication says Protestant denominations, Roman Catholic orders, dioceses, and religious organizations and institutions, working through the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), have entered a new phase in their effort to break the bonds of economic oppression that make U.S. corporations partners in apartheid. The press release says increased violence against Blacks demanding their basic rights in South Africa requires a new strategic approach toward U.S. corporations operating there. They will focus on 12 corporations: Burroughs, Chevron, Citicorp, Control Data, Fluor, Ford, General Electric (GE), General...
Press release issued by the United Church of Christ (UCC) Office of Communication says Protestant denominations, Roman Catholic orders, dioceses, and religious organizations and institutions, working through the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), have entered a new phase in their effort to break the bonds of economic oppression that make U.S. corporations partners in apartheid. The press release says increased violence against Blacks demanding their basic rights in South Africa requires a new strategic approach toward U.S. corporations operating there. They will focus on 12 corporations: Burroughs, Chevron, Citicorp, Control Data, Fluor, Ford, General Electric (GE), General Motors (GM), International Business Machines (IBM), Mobil, Newmont Mining, and Texaco. All support the South African government either through products and services used by the police and military, the size of their assets in the country, their sales and number of employees, or the strategic nature of their involvement or financial services. A coordinated campaign will use various traditional approaches, such as shareholder resolutions and meetings with corporate leaderships, as well as new steps, such as more extensive acts of public witness, calls for the firms' withdrawal from South Africa, launching of selective buying campaigns, and divestment of their securities -- if these companies fail to respond. The Press Contact is William C. Winslow. The press release mentions the "homelands" policy, influx control, the Group Areas Act, political rights, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, voting, the right to own land, political prisoners, detainees, those charged with treason, banning of organizations and individuals, public funding of education, health care, and social services.
