TITLE
Concerning cessation of the investment of public funds in firms doing business in or with South Africa.
BODY
WHEREAS, South Africa's government maintains a system of apartheid unsurpassed in contemporary history; and
WHEREAS, under its system of apartheid, four million whites monopolize the voting system and have passed hundreds of laws, decrees and acts that deny 22 million Blacks the most elementary forms of human rights; and
WHEREAS, Blacks, who are legally classified as non- citizens of their own country, are forced to carry passes which restrict their freedom and movement, and 600,000 Black men and women are jailed each year for pass offenses; and
WHEREAS, Blacks make up 75% of the South African population, but are allowed to live permanently on only 13% of the land, the average monthly wage in the mining area is $1,056 for whites and $175 for Africans, and per capita spending on education is $833.00 for whites and $82.00 for Africans; and
WHEREAS, over 125 United States banks lend millions of dollars annually to South Africa and to many u. s.
multinational corporations who invest in or trade with South Africa (including certain corporations located in Virginia);
and
WHEREAS, American corporate and financial investments in
South Africa greatly strengthen the apartheid regime; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Richmond is dedicated
to the democratic right of majority rule and the promotion of the basic principles of human rights for people of all colors; NCW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:
That the Council declares it to be the policy of the City of Richmond that any and all agencies, authorities, employees or representatives of the City responsible for the investment of funds of the City or for contracting with any bank, financial institution, corporation or body that is known to provide financial assistance, in the form of loans, grants, trade financing or investments of any nature to the South African government, South African-owned corporations, or corporations located in South Africa, should terminate all such investments and contractual agreements as soon as same may prudently and lawfully be done; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:
That the City Manager and all agencies, authorities, or other officers, employees and representatives of the City under the supervision and control of the Council, are directed to
divest as expeditiously as same may lawfully be done, funds that are currently invested or deposited in the banks, financial institutions or other companies which provide financial assistance in the form of loans, grants or investments of any kind to the South African government, South African-owned corporations, or corporations located in South Africa, or United States citizens doing business in South Africa, and are further directed and instructed to invest such funds as shall be reinvested in banks, or other financial institutions or businesses which furnish the City of Richmond and its agencies satisfactory proof of their compliance with the provisions of this resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:
That the City shall further be prohibited from purchasing goods and/or services, equipment and materials from entities or corporations that are located in South Africa or that do business with such corporations or entities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:
That should either the City Manager or the Director of General Services encounter substantial hardship in identifying complying businesses or in negotiating competitive transactions in regard to financial arrangements and services, equipment and materials, respectively, the City Manager or the Director of General Services shall report to City Council the facts related
to said substantial hardship. The City Manager or the Director of General Services may in such cases of substantial hardship allow a waiver from the requirements and prohibitions stated herein, provided no such waiver shall be effective until reported to Council.