It's a new year, but we are still fighting to end the genocide. The second State of Michigan Investment Board (SMIB) Meeting of 2025 will be Wednesday April 2nd, at 9:30 am, in Lansing (and virtually). Join us in demanding the State of MI Investment Board divest public retirement funds from from over $11 million in Israel bonds!
On Oct. 1st AND Jan. 8th, alongside numerous public employees, teachers and retirees, as members of The Coalition for a Free Palestine we demanded the State of MI Investment Board break the bonds. The Board did not respond to our demands and canceled their previous meeting last minute. Join us in letting them know they cannot ignore the people of MI who refuse see their retirement and tax dollars fund Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people.
MI public school teachers and retirees, your retirements fund genocide!
The SMIB manages the retirement funds for hundreds of thousands of public employees and retirees, including public school and community college employees, state employees, state police, state judges, and state military personnel. This includes the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) for public school teachers and employees. The Israel bonds currently managed by the Board fund the defined benefit portion of MI teachers, public employees, and retirees' pensions in this system. Recently, AFT Local 2000, representing Wayne County Community College passed a resolution in support of divesting MPSERS from Israel bonds. We urge others to follow.
Tell the State of MI Investment Board to BREAK THE BONDS!
When: Wednesday April 2nd, 2025 @ 9:30am
Where: Heritage Hall, 323 W. Ottawa St, State Room South-HH, Lansing, MI 48933
Public comment typically begins around 10:45am (arrive at least before then). No pre-registration is required. All speakers get 5 minutes. Wear a kuffiyeh or something visible to show your support, and
bring a friend to pack the room!
Join the meeting and speak during public comment remotely via Microsoft Teams: tinyurl.com/SMIBMeetingAgenda
Note: Please be patient if it takes a while for you to be admitted to the room
How to support:
1. Make public comment at the SMIB Meeting on April 2nd and encourage others to do the same.
2. Help introduce a divestment resolution in your local teachers' union.
3. Work with fellow educators at KPS, KVCC, WMU, and other local schools to push for action.
4. Join Michigan Divest’s statewide campaign to demand MPSERS (Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System) divest from Israel bonds.
5. Call 517-335-5401 and leave a message for the State of MI Investment Board
6. Email the State of MI Treasurer, Rachael Eubanks: EubanksR@michigan.gov
7. Sign the Michigan Divest petition: tinyurl.com/MichiganDivestPetition
Michigan Divest is a campaign of The Coalition for a Free Palestine. Follow @MichiganDivest and @lansingforpalestine on Instagram or visit lansingforpalestine.org for updates!