BlackRock is making a killing on killing! It has billions of dollars invested in weapons companies such as Lockheed, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Elbit, and General Dynamics. They are positioning themselves as a company that is socially responsible, while they continue to invest in weapons of war. Join us in sending a message to BlackRock’s CEO, Larry Fink, that it’s time to #divestfromwar and stop investing in weapons manufacturers.

What is BlackRock?

BlackRock is making a killing on killing! The firm is investing billions in Lockheed Martin and is profiting off a corporation that creates weapons of war. Making war is a dirty business that pollutes the air and water and poisons our communities around the world.

BlackRock is an investment firm that provides its clients with accessibility to Lockheed Martin stocks; they have more than $5.6 billion invested in the weapon-making company! Defense stocks have risen since the U.S. defense budget received an increase from Congress. And while you may not know BlackRock, the CEO Larry Fink recently made a statement that he was going to start holding the companies they invest in accountable for being responsible corporate citizens. 

Lockheed Martin jets, helicopters, and missiles have played major roles in 2008-2009, 2010-2011 and 2014 Israeli assaults on the Gaza Strip.  During these assaults, the majority of those killed have been civilians]. A study by Defense for Children International into Israel’s 2014 assault on Gaza determined that at least 225 of the 550 children killed in the 50-day assault died from Israeli warplane attacks, including by Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets. Boeing, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics weapons are also heavily used by the Israeli military.

Its iShares U.S. Aerospace and Defense ETF also include major investments in Israel’s largest publicly traded weapons company, Elbit Systems. Elbit is one of the primary suppliers of weapons for the Israeli military. Elbit drones have routinely been used in Israeli in attacks against Palestinian civilians in Gaza, including attacks that have been investigated by the UN to have been possible war crimes or crimes against humanity. Elbit is also a major supplier of surveillance technology for Israel’s apartheid wall.

We are calling on Larry Fink and BlackRock to be socially responsible and divest from Lockheed Martin and other weapon manufacturers which are part of its iShares U.S. Aerospace and Defense Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). 

Take action!

1. Help us Spread the Word

Post to Facebook

Sample Message You Can Share: BlackRock is making a killing on killing! You are investing billions in Lockheed Martin and are profiting off a corporation that creates weapons of war. Your CEO says that you want socially responsible corporate citizens, but you profit off of death and destruction! Making war is a dirty business that pollutes our air and water and poisons our communities around the world.

Tweet @BlackRock

Sample Message You Can Tweet: $ from @BlackRock is making a killing on killing! The war machine is poisoning the air and water in the U.S. and the world. #divestfromwar

2. Share an image on social media (right-click image to download)

3. Join or organize an action

Organize a rally or vigil outside a BlackRock location! Some action uniqueness will simply be their locations — if there isn’t a BlackRock location near you, then there might be a place to hold your event that is particularly important to your community, or symbolic of the weapons industry and Lockheed Martin? Examples include City Hall, Federal Building, community center, university, or local worship space. Let us know if you decide to organize or join an action/event so that we can support you!!

4. Take a picture with your message and post it on social media

Create a banner with a message BlackRock: Divest from War. Gather as many friends as you can and take a picture with the banner. Post it on our Facebook and Twitter, using the hashtags #divestfromwar #codepink @BlackRock Share it with us!

5. Take the Pledge to work to stop those who are making a killing on killing and stealing our future

Sign up to join our Divest from the War Machine campaign. To learn more about the U.S. War Machine and alternatives to the war economy, refer to the following resources.