Caterpillar Campaign
The company which best exemplifies the interest of US corporations in the Occupation and the complete refusal to address human rights concerns in the region is Caterpillar. The most destructive weapon of the Occupation may not be an F-16 or helicopter gunship, but rather, an armor plated D-9 or D-11 bulldozer. These are the machines that have demolished thousands of homes, uprooted countless olive trees, and carved gaping holes in roads, making them impassable. Even when used in Israel’s colonial intrusions on the land through construction of illegal housing or bypass roads, CAT equipment is being used daily in the commission of war crimes and violations of human rights.
Find updated information from our member group Global Exchange about Caterpillar in Palestine, campaigns across the world, and victories on their website.
Take Action
Find out what you can do to pressure Caterpillar to respect international law and Palestinian human rights.
More than 7,000 Signatures Delivered to National Building Museum
by Anna Baltzer, National Organizer
October 21st, 2011
by Anna Baltzer, National Organizer
October 21st, 2011
Video & Report-back: The Rachel Corrie Foundation, supported by the US Campaign and others, delivers a petition calling on the National Building Museum to rescind its award to Caterpillar.
Tell the National Building Museum: Don't Reward CAT's Destruction in Palestine!
by Anna Baltzer, National Organizer
August 25th, 2011
by Anna Baltzer, National Organizer
August 25th, 2011
Show Caterpillar it can run, but it can't hide
by Anna Baltzer
May 19th, 2011
by Anna Baltzer
May 19th, 2011
For the past seven years, the US Campaign and many of our coalition member groups have dominated Caterpillar's annual Chicago-area shareholder meetings by organizing creative protests inside and outside the meetings. Here are some updates and ways for you to advance our collective "Stop Caterpillar" campaign.
Contact Key Individuals
Hold Caterpillar Accountable! Contact Caterpillar management, telling them to end military sales to Israel. Also contact your U.S. legislators, the President and Secretary of State.
Organize to Stop Caterkiller in your community!
Sign up to receive a campaign kit with everything you'll need to get your community involved in the Stop Caterkiller campaign.
Day of Action: March 16, 2006
March 16th, 2006
March 16th, 2006
March 16, 2006 Call to Action to commemorate 3rd year since Rachel Corrie's murder
Resources and Materials
Use our fact sheets, PowerPoint presentations, and legal memos to educate your community about Caterpillar's culpability in Israeli violations of international law and Palestinian human rights
Materials for Education & Advocacy
Placards, Postcards, Posters, Flyers, Fact Sheets and More! Download and print!
Caterpillar in Focus
Articles and documents about Caterpillar, Inc., and its complicity in Israel's occupation.
Who's Divesting from CAT?
The National CAT Campaign is making waves every day. From trade unions to churches, citizens of conscience are successfully encouraging their institutions to divest from Caterpillar, Inc. View a list and a map of "CAT-Free Zones" nationwide.
Talking Points for "Razing Rafah: Mass Home Demolitions in the Gaza Strip"
November 30th, 2004
November 30th, 2004
In October, 2004 Human Rights Watch (HRW) released "Razing Rafah: Mass Home Demolitions in the Gaza Strip" which documents the systematic destruction of homes and property the Gaza Strip by the Israeli government with special attention to the usage of US-made Caterpillar bulldozers. In order to use "Razing Rafah" as an activist resource, Human Rights Watch has created the following talking points to accompany their report.
Approaches: Grassroots, Institutional, and Legislative
Grassroots Approach
Political education and awareness campaigns - the goals of which are to collect CAT postcards and to encourage small business owners and families to place placards/signs that read "CAT FREE ZONE" on their storefronts and/or windows.
Institutional Approach
Political education and awareness campaign targeting institutions like churches, school boards, city councils, university student bodies, and municipalities and encouraging them to pass resolutions condemning CAT sales to Israel and declaring that as a CAT FREE ZONE the institution will not use CAT equipments or products in any of its projects.
Legislative Approach
Target congresspersons to call for a General Accounting Office investigation to examine whether or not CAT is in violation of the Arms Export Control Act. This also targets congresspersons who receive PAC money from CAT to refuse CAT money in the next election.
CAT in the News
Get the latest news and updates about local actions in the Stop Caterkiller campaign
CAT in the News
CAT activism nationally has made a splash in media outlets worldwide. This is a marker of success for our campaign. Congratulations and keep up the amazing work!
Jewish and Christian Organizations: "Caterpillar Should Build America, Not Destroy Palestine"
June 9th, 2009
June 9th, 2009
As Caterpillar shareholders gather on June 10th at the Northern Trust Bank Building in Chicago, to discuss falling profits, they will be met by representatives of Jewish, Christian, and human rights organizations calling on Caterpillar to build the U.S. economy, not destroy Palestinian lives and livelihoods.
Caterpillar Under Fire for Human Rights Abuses for Sixth Year in a Row
June 3rd, 2009
June 3rd, 2009
For the sixth year in a row, members of Jewish, Christian, and human rights organizations will be present at Caterpillar, Inc.'s annual shareholder meeting to demand that Caterpillar end its complicity with violations of human rights and international law in the occupied West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem.
US Campaign and Jewish Voice for Peace Secure Meeting with CAT CEO, James Owens
June 11th, 2008
June 11th, 2008
A shareholder resolution calling on the Caterpillar Board of Directors to report on foreign sales of weapons-related equipment and products, including the destination of those products, received a 3.3% vote at the annual shareholder meeting today in Chicago [pending final certification]. It met the minimum threshold of support required for placement on the ballot next year.
Support Mounts for Corporate Accountability Resolution at Caterpillar Shareholder Meeting
June 6th, 2008
June 6th, 2008
For the fifth consecutive year, James Owens, CEO of Caterpillar and his board of directors, will be greeted by protesters at their annual shareholder meeting to protest the sales of bulldozers that are used to commit human rights violations.