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Peace Activists to protest Caterpillar; Rachel Corrie Parents
03/18/04 | Freep

Posted on 03/18/2004 8:21:11 AM PST by m1-lightning

On April 23, in Peoria, Illinois, three peace activist groups, including Rachel Corrie's parents, intend to protest the manufacture of Caterpillar bulldozers that are bought by Israel. The details of the protest are in the below pro-palestinian propaganga:

Event: Stop Cat demonstration at CAT headquarters in Peoria

www.peacechicago.org

Description: Buses from Chicago and the surrounding area are being organized, for tickets contact me at matt@stopcat.org Our plans for April 23rd are to meet at Bradley Park (1700 Park Ave) in Peoria at Noon for a short rally, then march to CAT headquarters and demand that James Owens, the current CEO, meet with a delegation made up of victims of violence and destruction perpetrated using CAT equipment. Flyers will be available at the March 20th demonstration, and there will be a Stop Cat contingent during the march, if you would like to join us, just look for our banner.

Starts: April 23, 2004, 12:00 PM
Where: Bradley Park
1700 Park Ave
Peoria, IL
matt@stopcat.org
http://www.stopcat.org

International Day of Action against Caterpillar April 23th, 2004

www.catdestroyshomes.org

Whereas, the Caterpillar Corporation's D-9 bulldozer physically embodies the horrible atrocity that is happening to the Palestinian people - the continuing nakba (Great Catastrophe) - the ethnic cleansing of Palestine;

Whereas, the Caterpillar Corporation's machinery is directly implicated in grave abuses of Human Rights by the Israeli Defense Forces including the collective punishment of the Palestinian people through house demolitions, clearing a path for and constructing the Apartheid Wall and murder of civilians;

Whereas, these actions are illegal under international law - specifically violating the Fourth Geneva Convention, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Hague Conventions;

Whereas, the sale of the Caterpillar D-9 bulldozer to Israeli Defense Force violates the U.S. Arms Export Control Act;

Whereas, the Caterpillar Corporation's agreements with the Israeli Military stand as a stark example of the material, economic and political aid given by the United States Government and Multinational Corporations - the aid that enables these atrocities;

Whereas, U.S. economic and military aid to Israel is funded entirely by the publics tax money, while public education and social services institutes are suffering severe budget cuts from the federal government;

Whereas, the Caterpillar Corporation's business is largely civilian in nature, it is not dependent on these military contracts to survive as a corporation and therefore can afford to sever these contracts;

Whereas, we are more powerful when united internationally against a common target, a target that has important symbolic relevance, and a target that represents a winnable victory;

Whereas, the Caterpillar Corporation has offices, manufacturing facilities and subcontractors throughout the world;

Whereas, April 9th will be the 56th anniversary of the Deir Yassin massacre, the commemoration of which is meant to recognize and remember the nakba of ethnic cleansing, murder, terrorism and particularly house and village demolition that befell the Palestinian people in 1948. The ethnic cleansing, murder, terrorism and house demolition have continued to this day (the Jenin Massacre was unfolding two years ago at this same time);

We therefore call for an International Day of Action against the Caterpillar Corporation on April 23 demanding that: 1. The Caterpillar Corporation must sever all contracts with the Israeli Military. 2. The Caterpillar Corporation must draft a public letter explaining why they have done so.

We encourage peace and justice loving people from around the world to organize actions or events addressing the role of Caterpillar in supporting the attacks against the Palestinian People. Possible Actions:

1. Organize an action at your local Caterpillar Representative or Sales Representatives Offices and demand they sign on to the demands of the campaign.

2. Student and Community groups call for their institutions, city councils, churches or unions to pass resolutions divesting from the Caterpillar Corporation until the campaigns demands are met.

3. Activists who are far away from a possible target for action or divestment can organize an educational event to demonstrate to communities the role of Caterpillar in supporting the oppression of the Palestinian people.

4. Activists who do not have the capacity to organize an action or event can stage a “Banner Drop.” This action requires a minimum of two individuals to create a banner with a message supporting the international day of action and display this banner in a high traffic location (i.e. freeway overpass, tall building, etc.)

We suggest that people work democratically, to work in coalition with a diverse group of people and to be creative in their actions. We also encourage actions to be announced and documented on a central website [www.catdestroyshomes.org], which will have campaign updates as well as resources and information about The Caterpillar Corporation and its relationship with the Israeli Military. We propose that the international center of this Day of Action be in Peoria, Illinois, USA - the Headquarters of the Caterpillar Corporation.

We propose that the action here be two-fold:

1. A delegation of community leaders who will attempt to visit the CEO to explain how Caterpillar products are being used in Occupied Palestine and to demand that their relationship with the Israeli Government be severed.

2. A mass mobilization of people outside the office demanding the same. If your organizations would like to be a part of the Peoria action, please send a message to info@catdestroyshomes.org.

Join the Michigan Peace Team and others for a day of action at Caterpillar’s Headquarters in Peoria, Illinois on Friday, April 23.

www.michiganpeaceteam.org

Israel has used Caterpillar bulldozers to demolish more than 12,000 Palestinian homes; to uproot 385,000 Palestinian olive trees; to kill Rachel Corrie, an American peace activist, as she nonviolently tried to prevent the razing of a Palestinian home; and to build a 25-foot-high wall and fence that will confiscate about 40 percent of the territory of the West Bank.*

On April 23, people from around the country will be gathering at Caterpillars Headquarters in Peoria Illinois to demand that Caterpillar stop selling bulldozers to Israel. Craig and Cindy Corrie (Rachel’s Parents) will be part of a delegation attempting to meet with the Caterpillar CEO to deliver our demands.

For details please go to www.stopcat.org. For ride info contact: Twyla: (313)207-3804 or Mike: (517) 449-1481 Email: Please RSVP ASAP.

For a flyer, click here (.doc file)


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Announcements; Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Israel; News/Current Events; US: Illinois; US: Washington
KEYWORDS: answer; cat; caterpillar; d9bulldozer; passionofstpancake; peaceniks; rachelcorrie; saintpancake; squishedlikeabug; wanker
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1 posted on 03/18/2004 8:21:12 AM PST by m1-lightning
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To: m1-lightning
I figure since I have the day off, might just go on down with an Israeli flag and some pancakes to hand out.

Any other ideas?

2 posted on 03/18/2004 8:23:15 AM PST by dts32041 ( "If Bill Shakespeare lived today, would he have written a sequel call "Egglet"?")
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To: m1-lightning; hellinahandcart; Doctor Raoul
One time when I wished I lived near Peoria.

I'd run right out and get a Tonka Cat bulldozer as a great counterprotest prop.

3 posted on 03/18/2004 8:23:43 AM PST by sauropod (I intend to have Red Kerry choke on his past.)
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To: m1-lightning
How about protesting the parents for raising an idiot?
4 posted on 03/18/2004 8:23:45 AM PST by Rutles4Ever
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To: Rutles4Ever
There is a way I wish Cat would respond...but they won't.
5 posted on 03/18/2004 8:24:49 AM PST by blanknoone (Jean al-Querry for President! (of al-Andalus))
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To: sauropod
Good ol' Rachel... Horst Wessel in a Headscarf.
6 posted on 03/18/2004 8:25:07 AM PST by Tijeras_Slim (Just once I'd like to get by on my looks.)
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To: dts32041
Sounds like a good plan. I need to find an Israel flag...
7 posted on 03/18/2004 8:27:16 AM PST by m1-lightning (God, Guns, and Country!)
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To: m1-lightning
Or a sign that states "Rachael Corrie : Killing Supporting Terrorists"
8 posted on 03/18/2004 8:28:21 AM PST by AppyPappy (If You're Not A Part Of The Solution, There's Good Money To Be Made In Prolonging The Problem.)
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To: m1-lightning
I sure hope they don't sit in front of a moving CAT. I mean that would be stupid.
9 posted on 03/18/2004 8:28:26 AM PST by Wheee The People (Oo ee oo ah ah, ting tang, walla-walla bing bang. Oo ee oo ah ah, ting tang, walla-walla bing bang!)
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To: blanknoone
There is a way I wish Cat would respond...but they won't.

D9 road testing?

10 posted on 03/18/2004 8:28:42 AM PST by m1-lightning (God, Guns, and Country!)
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To: dts32041
Here's an idea:
Big poster of a D9 Cat, with the legend:
"This is a Caterpillar bulldozer
It makes things flat
Don't put anything in front of it you don't want flattened

Attention protesters: This includes your body parts!"
11 posted on 03/18/2004 8:29:44 AM PST by Redbob (ultrakonservativen click-guerilla)
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To: m1-lightning
How soon we forget the lessons of made for TV movies. Doesn't anyone remember:

Here we see the menacing machine about to take another victim:


12 posted on 03/18/2004 8:30:02 AM PST by AreaMan
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To: m1-lightning
I think this protest will fall flat,
it's certainly not on the right track.
13 posted on 03/18/2004 8:30:11 AM PST by MrB
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To: m1-lightning
I was going to buy a CAT bulldozer today on my lunch break, but after hearing about THIS I'll reconsider. . . /sarc
14 posted on 03/18/2004 8:30:19 AM PST by jtminton (T.R.O.P. is tripe!)
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To: Rutles4Ever
How about protesting the parents for raising an idiot?

That just happened to be brought up on the local radio show yesterday. It seems to be a popular idea.

15 posted on 03/18/2004 8:31:03 AM PST by m1-lightning (God, Guns, and Country!)
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To: m1-lightning
I knew someone once who named their HUGE Great Dane "D-9". This thing must have stood 5 feet tall at the top of its head. It was taller than me when it stood on its hind legs.

Oh, yeah, typical libs. Blame the product not the reason it was used. It was used in bulldozing terrorist homes or homes used for terrorist purposes.

16 posted on 03/18/2004 8:31:03 AM PST by IYAS9YAS (Go Fast, Turn Left!)
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To: m1-lightning
Those poor souls (her parents) must be bursting with parental pride.

Michael M. Bates: My Side of the Swamp

17 posted on 03/18/2004 8:31:37 AM PST by Mike Bates (Artist Formerly Known as mikeb704.)
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To: m1-lightning
D9 road testing?

Pretty much. They might need some more track grease.

18 posted on 03/18/2004 8:31:56 AM PST by blanknoone (Jean al-Querry for President! (of al-Andalus))
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To: AppyPappy
"Rachael Corrie : Killing Supporting Terrorists"

Or:
"Rachel Corrie: Too Dumb to Move
Darwin Award Finalist!"

19 posted on 03/18/2004 8:32:21 AM PST by Redbob (ultrakonservativen click-guerilla)
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To: m1-lightning
Talk about assinine. When you raise a kid to believe terrorists are the ones you support, then don't be surprised when something reaaly bad happens. The idioacy of the left and the Evil Dums has now become a real threat to the U.S.
20 posted on 03/18/2004 8:32:29 AM PST by marty60
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