Protest Against Heavy Equipment Manufacturer Caterpillar Saturday May 7th 2005

The Palestine Human Rights Campaign of Auckland, New Zealand called concerned people to join the family and friends of the late Rachel Corrie to protest her death a Caterpillar bulldozer by the Israeli Army and held a protest outside the Caterpllar agent's site (Gough's) in Auckland on Saturday May 7th, 2005.

Rachel Corrie, 23, of Olympia, Washington, died of her injuries on March 13, 2003 after an Israeli military Caterpillar bulldozer ran over her when she attempted to stop it destroying a Palestinian home in Rafah, in the Gaza Strip.

On March 15 this year, nearly two years after the killing of their daughter, Craig and Cindy Corrie have pressed forward in their quest for accountability from Caterpillar. With legal assistance from the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), a suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Washington State alleging that Caterpillar Inc. violated international and state law by providing specially designed bulldozers to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) that it knew would be used to demolish homes and endanger civilians. The Corrie family has also initiated historic lawsuits against the State of Israel, the Israeli Defence Forces and the Israeli Defense Ministry for their role in Rachel's death. The massive armored machines are used by the IDF for home demolitions, ripping up roads, power, water and sewage lines and for other acts of collective punishment in the Occupied Palestinian Territories — all considered war crimes under the Geneva Convention.

The call to action against Caterpillar is being issued by Jewish Voice for Peace and SUSTAIN (Stop U.S. Tax-Funded Aid to Israel Now) and is officially supported by over 30 other well known groups including Amnesty International, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Christian Peacemaker Teams, the Presbyterian Church USA, Not in My Name, and the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), the group Rachel Corrie was affiliated with while in Rafah.

At least 40 demonstrations took place in the US alone. Similar demonstration are taking place in Europe and elsewhere around the world.

The Palestine Human Rights Campaign supports the growing global movement in sending the board of directors and the Caterpillar dealerships a strong message that cooperation in human rights abuses will not be tolerated. Protesters were asked to Caterpillar, Managing Director, Brian Hogan, Box 16168, Christchurch Auckland or phone or write 979 9333 Cnr Ash & KerrRd, 358 4147 Wiri or 9 Tingley St Auckland .

ENDS

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