On April 13, the annual Caterpillar shareholders meeting in Chicago will vote on a groundbreaking resolution that calls on CAT to investigate bulldozer sales to Israel.

Human rights groups charge that Caterpillar equipment has been used by the Israeli military to destroy roads, orchards, greenhouses, agricultural land and the homes of over 50,000 Palestinians since 1967. Dozens have died as a result, including Nabila al-Shu’bi, [2] who was seven months pregnant when she was killed with seven other family members in an illegal home demolition. Rachel Corrie, a volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement, was murdered on March 16, 2003, in Rafah when she was crushed underneath a Caterpillar bulldozer as she attempted to stop an illegal home demolition. While U.S. taxpayers foot the bill, activists assert, Caterpillar is making a killing in Palestine.

An International Day of Action centered around the CAT shareholder meeing -- with protests planned in 40 cities worldwide -- has been called to demand that the Illinois earth moving giant halt equipment sales to Israel that enable human rights violations against Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. In Chicago, the Stop CAT Coalition will gather on the sidewalk outside the April 13th shareholders meeting at Northern Trust Bank, 50 S. LaSalle St. at noon.

Related Sites: Stop CAT Coalition | Stop Caterpillar | Palestine Solidarity Group - Chicago | Jewish Voice for Peace | International Solidarity Movement | US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation

Related Articles: Drawing Caterpillar Out Of Its Corporate Cocoon: Company Should Examine Its Role in Mideast Violence | Human Rights Watch: "Caterpillar Should Suspend Bulldozer Sales" | Democracy Now!: Family of Rachel Corrie Sues Israeli Government and Caterpillar Inc. Two Years After She Was Crushed by Military Bulldozer | BBC News: US bulldozer firm in Mideast Row | Caterpillar: The Alternative Report - War on Want [PDF format, 715K]