Activists are asking the state to pull its 1.2-million-dollar investment out of Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems, which is also working on security measures at the U-S/Mexico border. Brad Sigal with Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee says top state elected officials have spoken against the Trump administration’s policies at the border and “we’re just asking them to put their money where their mouth is, or more explicitly, take their money out of what they say they oppose.”
Saint Paul resident Sylvia Schwarz with the group Jewish Voice for Peace says state officials signed the U-N’s principles for socially responsible investing, but “Elbit Systems is an Israeli company which has used these weapons against Palestinian civilians.”
Governor Tim Walz responds he welcomes “this healthy debate” at a time of increased tensions. “These are discussions that the legislature should have. They direct these things,” Walz says. “The two that we’re talking about in Sudan and Iran came through legislative action.”