Divest my Pension Funds from War

Dear Seattle City Employees Retirement System Board,

As someone who is invested in the Seattle City Employees' Retirement System (SCERS), I want to congratulate you on adopting socially responsible investment guidelines at your December 2008 meeting. I am glad to know that you are working to ensure that my pension fund investments are not contributing to human rights violations or environmental degradation.

War and military occupation are major causes of the human rights violations that these guidelines are meant to prevent. The Middle East in particular combines huge transfers of wealth with brutal conflict. Therefore, it is here that our will to stand up for human rights will be most heavily tested.

The American public has grown tired of wars and the sorrows that accompany them. Last November, the people of Seattle turned out in record numbers to indicate their desire for change. What hasnt changed are the companies that benefit from war and lobby for it. Seattle can counter their influence by helping to take the profit out of these illegal wars and occupations.

Last year, through Seattle Ballot Initiative 97, the citizens of Seattle tried to bring a resolution to the voters to create guidelines on investment in stocks and bonds of parties involved in illegal wars and occupations in the Middle East.

Over 18,000 Seattle residents signed to support putting I-97 onto the ballot.

King County Superior Court judge Steven Gonzalez ruled that only the SCERS board can adopt investment guidelines for my pension fund. For this reason, I ask that you use this power to adopt the guidelines of I-97. Taking this stand against war and military occupation is essential for the cause of socially responsible investing and for creating a more humane world.

You can find the text of I-97 at the following address:

www.divestfromwar.org/materials/signature-form-05-16-2008.pdf

I am looking forward to hearing your opinions on this matter.

Thank you for your time.