A community group is planning a protest outside the Town Hall tomorrow morning, to bring further attention to how Croydon Labour is backing the Tories over holding investments in companies that have been arming the Israeli military during its genocidal attacks on Gaza over the past 18 months.
The group presented a petition to the council last December, asking the council to opt out of all such investments. Their arguments were rejected by the chair of the council’s pensions committee, Labour’s deputy leader Callton Young.
Croydon Divest has stepped up its campaign, including tomorrow’s demo ahead of the pensions committee.
David White, vice-president of the Croydon Trades Union Council and a member of the group, said, “Croydon Council invests nearly £16million in companies which we believe are complicit in war crimes. These crimes include Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
“Israel, backed by Donald Trump, is openly calling for the removal, by force if necessary, of the entire Palestinian population of Gaza. This is clearly ethnic cleansing and must be opposed by people throughout the world.
Tin earred: Labour councillor Callton Young has ignored letters about the pension fund investments
“Croydon Council, through its pension fund, is directly funding the Israeli regime by investing in Israeli state bonds.
“It’s vitally important that the council enhances its responsible investment policy, which already bans investment in tobacco-related companies.”
Ferial Saada, a British Palestinian and member of Croydon Divest, wrote to Councillor Young several weeks ago asking for a meeting to discuss this issue. Saada has received no reply or acknowledgement.
Several others who have contacted the Thornton Heath councillor have also had their letters ignored.
Croydon Divest is supported by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Crystal Palace Friends of Palestine and Croydon Green Party, among others.
The demonstration will take place outside Croydon Town Hall on Tuesday March 18, from 9.15am until 10am.
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