The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the passage of divestment measures by the Hayward City Council.
With a vote of 4-3, the Council passed a resolution to redirect $1.6 million in investments from four corporations identified by the Boycott, Divest, Sanction (BDS) movement: Caterpillar, Chevron, Hyundai, and Intel. Meeting attendees provided public comment for over one hour in support of the motion. Council Member George Syrop made the motion and was joined in support by Council Members Angela Andrews, Dan Goldstein, and Francisco Zermeño.
The Council had previously dismissed public calls for a ceasefire resolution, citing a policy that forbids taking stances on international issues. Hayward residents, among them several children and educators, returned to the council chambers on Jan. 23 to demand the city’s investment portfolio be amended.
“Calling for a ceasefire is no longer enough,” said Arieana Castellanos, Chair of the Hayward Community Coalition. “We asked for less than one percent of our city’s total investment portfolio to be reallocated to stand against genocide. It shouldn’t be controversial. Hayward’s divestment demonstrates what cities across the country can do to materially support the people of Palestine. We need to divest a lot more than $1.6 million at all levels of government until Congress, Joe Biden, and Israel’s leadership end the occupation.”
CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo added, “We commend the advocates who urged the Hayward City Council to take the important step to divest from these corporations and the city council members who voted in support of this motion. This principled stance sends a powerful message that our elected leaders will not be complicit in human rights violations and the ongoing tragedy in Gaza. By divesting from entities that support oppression, Hayward affirms its commitment to justice, peace, and the protection of human dignity.”