November 8, 2017
Last week we appeared before the California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) Investment Board to offer our support on California State Treasurer Mr. Chiang’s proposal to divest from companies that deal in weapons that are illegal to own or sell in California.
Our statement made by staffer, Elizabeth Leslie:
The League of Women Voters of California supports Mr. Chiang’s proposal to divest from companies that deal in weapons that are illegal to own or sell in California.
The unchecked proliferation of handguns and semi-automatic assault weapons is a major health and safety threat to Californians. The League supports strong federal measures to limit the accessibility and regulate the ownership of these weapons by private citizens. The League supports regulating firearms for consumer safety.
While this current proposal does not specifically limit accessibility of weapons, we do believe that divestments and boycotts such as this one, make a public statement, and serve to change public policy.
We encourage the board to support the proposal, and ensure that California teachers’ retirement money is not invested in companies that sell or promote banned weapons.
