The following press release was sent out by Loyola University Chicago Students for Justice in Palestine:

On Tuesday March 18, 2014, Loyola University Chicago became the first
Jesuit University in the United States to pass a student government
resolution to divest from companies complicit in aiding the Israeli
Occupation of Palestine. The Senate legislation calls upon Loyola
University Chicago to remove its holdings from eight specific companies
that play active roles in the human rights abuses committed by the
Israeli Government.

The first corporation listed, Caterpillar, sustains the occupation by
providing tools and bulldozers to destroy Palestinian infrastructure
such as homes, neighborhoods, and agricultural fields. Caterpillar tools
also aid in the expansion of illegal settlements as declared by the
United Nations. The second corporation, General Electric (GE),
manufactures engines used for the same helicopters that violate human
rights violations by attacking Palestinian civilians. Hewlitt-Packard
Company (HP), similar to the aforementioned companies, also aids in the
systemic oppression of Palestine. HP provides discriminatory
identification systems used by the Israeli militarycheckpoints and
profits from mass incarceration. Group 4 Securicor (G4S), Raytheon,
Elbit Systems, SodaStream, and Veolia are the remaining companies that
complete the list.

By
passing this piece of legislation, the student body at Loyola
University Chicago is asking for further and constant examination of
Loyola’s assets for future investments. In the policy statement on
Socially Responsible Investing (SRI), the Board of Trustees claims to
commit to a social mission with the promotion of social justice.
Divesting from these companies remains true to this statement and
ensures that Loyola is not profiting from companies that contradict
Jesuit traditions and values.Senator Nashiha Alam supports this in her
speech of affirmation by saying, “…the university has a responsibility
to filter our investments and have an investment screen. We [the
students] are responsible for making these ethical investments.”

Students for Justice in Palestine at Loyola University Chicago (SJP)
has been working on a divestment campaign since 2012. After gathering
over 800 undergraduate student signatures in support of divestment, SJP
introduced the legislation to the Unified Student Government Association
(USGA) for deliberation. The Senate meeting was full of outside
community supporters as well as current students passionate about the
cause. USGA Senator Melinda Bunnage speaks in favor of the Divestment
legislation “I think this piece of legislation has potential to be
really effective. USGA worries about the community and student support
but it’s clear that passing this is very important to our student body.”

SJP LUC hopes that this success signals the beginning of future
successes for other universities and Jesuit institutions across the
United States. It is the students’ responsibility as crucial members of
society to draw attention to these immoral acts against an entire
population and by passing divestment, Loyola University Chicago is
making an influential difference.