While we are contemplating again how to activate a shareholder activism campaign toward Microsoft it's worth looking at a few documents that should inspire us. Below is the text sent by Josh Zinner, CEO of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, right after Donald Trump's victory.
Now more than ever, committed to justice
Friends,
As faith and values-based investors, ICCR’s members remain united in our commitment to work together to create positive change. And while we are deeply concerned about the challenges we will likely face as a result of Tuesday’s election, beneath this concern lays a persistent hope that forms the bedrock of our coalition. This hope not only sustains us, but energizes and propels us forward.
Our country has made significant progress on a host of social and environmental concerns that ICCR members and the greater responsible investor community have championed over the years: regulations to rein in Wall Street excesses through Dodd-Frank and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; commitments to combat climate change through the Clean Power Plan and the UN’s COP21 agreement; the Executive Order -Strengthening Protections Against Trafficking In Persons In Federal Contracts; and health care reform through the Affordable Care Act which, while imperfect, has provided coverage to over 20 million previously uninsured Americans. These are hard-won gains creating meaningful change in the lives of vulnerable people everywhere and we must all fight to preserve and advance these important agendas.
Given the uncertain political climate, our engagement with corporations to advance social and environmental issues will be more critical than ever. We recognize that without the commitment and resources of the private sector we will not be successful, and we welcome the positive leadership of the many corporations that have made significant inroads towards a more shared prosperity and a healthier planet. In the coming years, our role will be to encourage these companies to stay the course and resist regressive policies, while exhorting many more to follow their lead.
We are affirmed by the passion and hard work of our members and allies including social justice advocates like you around the world, and recommit to our mission to create a more just and sustainable world.
Sincerely,
Josh Zinner
CEO
Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility
www.iccr.org
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