SIGN THE PETITION! THE VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEM MUST DIVEST FROM WEAPONS AND WAR!
vrsdivest.org
The VRS invests $300 million in weapons manufacturers and logistics companies who directly profit from war and genocide. The VRS claims to be in the interest of the people in Virginia but, in reality, a small group of decision makers force Virginia public employees to profit from genocide and mass destruction against their will or input. Our futures do not have to be funded by weapons and war.
Sign the petition and demand that the VRS:
1. Divest any direct holdings in weapons manufacturers and shipping companies that facilitate the genocide of the Palestinian people.
2. Revise the VRS investment policy to ensure that it does not invest in any company that manufactures or ships weapons or weapons components.
vrsdivest.org
The VRS invests $300 million in weapons manufacturers and logistics companies who directly profit from war and genocide. The VRS claims to be in the interest of the people in Virginia but, in reality, a small group of decision makers force Virginia public employees to profit from genocide and mass destruction against their will or input. Our futures do not have to be funded by weapons and war.
Sign the petition and demand that the VRS:
1. Divest any direct holdings in weapons manufacturers and shipping companies that facilitate the genocide of the Palestinian people.
2. Revise the VRS investment policy to ensure that it does not invest in any company that manufactures or ships weapons or weapons components.
ORGANIZATIONS: ENDORSE THE NO PENSIONS FOR GENOCIDE CAMPAIGN! THE VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEM MUST DIVEST FROM WEAPONS AND WAR!
Fill out the form at vrsdivest.org/endorse.
The VRS invests $300 million in weapons manufacturers and logistics companies who directly profit from war and genocide. This local People’s Arms Embargo campaign is building a mass movement calling on the VRS to divest from these weapons manufacturers and logistics companies. Organizations can endorse the campaign and get more involved by filling out the form.
By endorsing organizations are supporting the demands that the VRS:
1. Divest any direct holdings in weapons manufacturers and shipping companies that facilitate the genocide of the Palestinian people.
2. Revise the VRS investment policy to ensure that it does not invest in any company that manufactures or ships weapons or weapons components.
Fill out the form at vrsdivest.org/endorse.
The VRS invests $300 million in weapons manufacturers and logistics companies who directly profit from war and genocide. This local People’s Arms Embargo campaign is building a mass movement calling on the VRS to divest from these weapons manufacturers and logistics companies. Organizations can endorse the campaign and get more involved by filling out the form.
By endorsing organizations are supporting the demands that the VRS:
1. Divest any direct holdings in weapons manufacturers and shipping companies that facilitate the genocide of the Palestinian people.
2. Revise the VRS investment policy to ensure that it does not invest in any company that manufactures or ships weapons or weapons components.
PRESS CONFERENCE AND RALLY AT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING: THE VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEM MUST DIVEST FROM GENOCIDE
Join the No Pensions for Genocide campaign on Thursday, November 13 for a press conference and rally outside the VRS to learn more about the campaign and to demand the VRS divest from the companies fueling endless wars and the genocide in Gaza!
📍: VRS, 1091 E Main St Richmond, VA
🗓️: Thurs, Nov 13
⏰: 12:30 PM
Join the No Pensions for Genocide campaign on Thursday, November 13 for a press conference and rally outside the VRS to learn more about the campaign and to demand the VRS divest from the companies fueling endless wars and the genocide in Gaza!
📍: VRS, 1091 E Main St Richmond, VA
🗓️: Thurs, Nov 13
⏰: 12:30 PM
The VRS invests $300 million into companies that manufacture and ship weapons and weapons components for the genocide in Gaza. To date, thousands of emails have been sent to the VRS calling on them to
◦ Divest any direct holdings in weapons manufacturers and shipping companies that facilitate the genocide of the Palestinian people.
◦ Revise the VRS investment policy to ensure that it does not invest in any companies that manufacture or ship weapons or weapons components.
In response, the VRS has refused any accountability for their complicity in genocide and attempted to evade their responsibility to pension payers and Virginia taxpayers. VRS puts profit over people. We say no longer. We deserve a say in where our taxes and pensions go. Sign the petition and endorse the campaign at vrsdivest.org.
◦ Divest any direct holdings in weapons manufacturers and shipping companies that facilitate the genocide of the Palestinian people.
◦ Revise the VRS investment policy to ensure that it does not invest in any companies that manufacture or ship weapons or weapons components.
In response, the VRS has refused any accountability for their complicity in genocide and attempted to evade their responsibility to pension payers and Virginia taxpayers. VRS puts profit over people. We say no longer. We deserve a say in where our taxes and pensions go. Sign the petition and endorse the campaign at vrsdivest.org.
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Media is too big
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
Virginia’s pensions are funding genocide, and the VRS is silencing those who speak out.
A Virginia firefighter was violently arrested while simply delivering our divestment petition to the Virginia Retirement System Board of Trustees. The VRS will meet with corporations complicit in genocide but refuse to hear even one minute from the people actually funding the system.
While Palestinians are being killed with U.S.–made bombs, VRS invests over $300 million into the corporations that build and ship those weapons. VRS claims to serve the people of Virginia, yet it forcibly ties the livelihood of over 850,000 public employees to companies profiting off of mass murder.
As the firefighter said in the video:
“My fellow Virginians and I work for the betterment of our communities. We enrich our communities, and we want the funds and our pensions to reflect that. And we also believe that everyone should be able to have assurance that their retirement funds are not only secure but aligned with their values.”
A Virginia firefighter was violently arrested while simply delivering our divestment petition to the Virginia Retirement System Board of Trustees. The VRS will meet with corporations complicit in genocide but refuse to hear even one minute from the people actually funding the system.
While Palestinians are being killed with U.S.–made bombs, VRS invests over $300 million into the corporations that build and ship those weapons. VRS claims to serve the people of Virginia, yet it forcibly ties the livelihood of over 850,000 public employees to companies profiting off of mass murder.
As the firefighter said in the video:
“My fellow Virginians and I work for the betterment of our communities. We enrich our communities, and we want the funds and our pensions to reflect that. And we also believe that everyone should be able to have assurance that their retirement funds are not only secure but aligned with their values.”
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We’re here to demand: Divest from weapons. Divest from genocide.
No more profit over people.
No Pensions for Genocide.
📍: VRS, 1091 E Main St Richmond, VA
🗓️: Thurs, Nov 13
⏰: 12:30 PM
No more profit over people.
No Pensions for Genocide.
📍: VRS, 1091 E Main St Richmond, VA
🗓️: Thurs, Nov 13
⏰: 12:30 PM
The Board of Trustees has made their position clear. A call for divestment from weapons and technologies of genocide at a public meeting is deemed a crime, while genocide is expected to go with impunity.
Sign the petition: vrsdivest.org
And join us on this Thursday, Nov. 13
📍VRS, 1091 E Main St Richmond, VA
⏰ 12:30PM
Sign the petition: vrsdivest.org
And join us on this Thursday, Nov. 13
📍VRS, 1091 E Main St Richmond, VA
⏰ 12:30PM
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Media is too big
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
The No Pensions for Genocide campaign has attempted to deliver the petition to the VRS twice. At the last Board of Trustees meeting on Sept 25th, Virginia Capitol Police brutally arrested a Virginia firefighter. The VRS must serve the people, not the corporations perpetuating genocide. This is a crisis of democracy.
The VRS Board of Trustees fear our united voices. While they may attempt to silence the people with violence and repression, our convictions remain stronger than their force. Even in handcuffs, Virginia’s firefighter stands tall and speaks truth to power on the VRS’s complicity.
“Benjamin Netanyahu has warrants out for his arrest on the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, but I’m in handcuffs.” Who should be under arrest: Virginia firefighters who denounce genocide or the public officials who perpetuate it?
The VRS Board of Trustees fear our united voices. While they may attempt to silence the people with violence and repression, our convictions remain stronger than their force. Even in handcuffs, Virginia’s firefighter stands tall and speaks truth to power on the VRS’s complicity.
“Benjamin Netanyahu has warrants out for his arrest on the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, but I’m in handcuffs.” Who should be under arrest: Virginia firefighters who denounce genocide or the public officials who perpetuate it?
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NO PENSIONS FOR GENOCIDE!
On Thursday, November 13th, community members organized in Richmond, Virginia to confront an institution that uses workers’ hard earned money to fund genocide: the Virginia Retirement System. While Virginians want their pensions and tax dollars to be given back to the community in the form of affordable and accessible housing, education and healthcare, the VRS instead elects to use workers’ hard-earned money to invest in weapons manufacturing companies that are responsible for destroying Palestinian lives. Thus far, the VRS has invested more than $300 million in weapons manufacturers and logistics giants, but the people say no more! The No Pensions for Genocide campaign aims to hold the VRS accountable, demanding the company to divest from investing in genocide. We are fighting for a Virginia that serves the people, not corporate interests and bloodshed.
On Thursday, November 13th, community members organized in Richmond, Virginia to confront an institution that uses workers’ hard earned money to fund genocide: the Virginia Retirement System. While Virginians want their pensions and tax dollars to be given back to the community in the form of affordable and accessible housing, education and healthcare, the VRS instead elects to use workers’ hard-earned money to invest in weapons manufacturing companies that are responsible for destroying Palestinian lives. Thus far, the VRS has invested more than $300 million in weapons manufacturers and logistics giants, but the people say no more! The No Pensions for Genocide campaign aims to hold the VRS accountable, demanding the company to divest from investing in genocide. We are fighting for a Virginia that serves the people, not corporate interests and bloodshed.
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Sign the petition at vrsdivest.org to hold the VRS responsible for using your earnings and tax dollars to murder and displace Palestinians!
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Over 1,200 people have signed the No Pensions for Genocide petition, sending a total of over 20,000 emails. These emails have been sent to the VRS Board of Trustees and the Investment Advisory Committee calling on them to (1) Divest any direct holdings in weapons manufacturers and shipping companies that facilitate the genocide of the Palestinian people and (2) Revise the VRS investment policy to ensure that it does not invest in any companies that manufacture or ship weapons or weapons components.
Every day, the VRS grows its investments in weapons manufacturers, and every day, the movement challenging those investments grow. Sign the petition today and join over a thousand people in ending investments in war and genocide!
Every day, the VRS grows its investments in weapons manufacturers, and every day, the movement challenging those investments grow. Sign the petition today and join over a thousand people in ending investments in war and genocide!
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PROFIT OVER PEOPLE: The VRS has arbitrarily sent emails in response to select petition signers. Rather than meaningfully engage with the demands of the petition and those who signed it, they provide a list of excuses in an attempt to evade accountability for their investments. The VRS hides behind a smokescreen of legal and financial jargon, opting to justify their complicity in companies who weaponize genocide. Their excuses fail to cover up the nature of their investment portfolio: the VRS values profit over people. When the corporations they choose to invest in supply a live-streamed genocide, how can profit be the only investment consideration? The VRS must divest from genocide and endless war. Workers and taxpayers should have a say in how public money is spent.
Swipe to challenge their excuses.
SIGN THE PETITION: vrsdivest.org
ENDORSE THE CAMPAIGN: vrsdivest.org/endorse
Swipe to challenge their excuses.
SIGN THE PETITION: vrsdivest.org
ENDORSE THE CAMPAIGN: vrsdivest.org/endorse
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The Richmond Free Press published an article covering the rally and press conference last week outside the VRS building in Richmond. The article covers why public sector workers are calling for the VRS to divest $300 million from weapons and logistics firms who fuel the genocide in Gaza, the violent arrest of a firefighter at the last VRS board meeting, and the work of the campaign to spread awareness of VRS' complicity. Read the rest of the article here: https://m.richmondfreepress.com/news/2025/nov/20/rally-calls-for-vrs-divestment-over-gaza/
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