New York, NY – On October 24, NYC Educators For Palestine held a pivotal event in Midtown Manhattan to kick off their divestment campaign as the new school year begins. The initiative targets the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) for the City of New York, which currently has approximately $112 million invested in Israeli firms, including controversial weapons manufacturers like Elbit Systems.
The “TRS Divest” campaign is a collaborative effort between educators from the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and the Professional Staff Congress of the City University of New York (PSC-CUNY). Its goal is to mobilize teachers against the investment of their retirement funds in Israeli companies. Over 40 individuals participated in the launch, comprising UFT members, professors, CUNY graduate students, and activists, including advocates for the “CUNY Fired Four”—four adjunct professors dismissed earlier this year due to their support for Palestinian rights.
The event featured a presentation that laid bare the TRS’s active investments in Israeli firms and drew parallels with historical TRS divestment efforts, such as those against South African apartheid and during the Vietnam War. NYC Educators For Palestine shared details about their prior actions, including appeals to the TRS board and protests aimed at raising awareness of its investments.
Participants engaged in breakout discussions, learning how to approach their colleagues regarding Palestine while navigating potential backlash from school administrations or peers. Strategies discussed included urging the UFT to adopt a firm stance on divestment, connecting with other organizations, and organizing events to highlight the implications of retirement funds supporting military actions.
The gathering highlighted the commitment of new organizers to the cause of Palestinian liberation, demonstrating that the momentum in the fight for Palestine’s freedom is growing. Teachers departed from the event inspired and resolute, acknowledging that campaigns of this nature require time and persistence for success. Currently, the TRS Divest campaign boasts over 1,900 signatures from educators eager to advocate for social justice and divestment.