100 signatures reached
To: Genevieve Bell
No Northrop Grumman at ANU
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We demand the ANU divest from all weapons companies and cut all academic ties with Northrop Grumman.
Northrop Grumman is the third biggest weapons company in the world by revenue, in 2022 it took in $36.6 billion, 89% of which was weapons revenue.
The ANU has a special relationship with Northrop Grumman, offering a scholarship for students with a science honours degree toward a Cyber Security Major, to work for Northrop Grumman. The scholarship is funded by Northrop, who is cited as “a leading provider and integrator of autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, secure communications, logistics and strike systems and solutions.”
Alongside the scholarship, the ANU also offers a Summer Student Program in partnership with the Northrop Grumman Global Externship Program, which is designed to funnel STEM students into employment with deplorable companies like Northrop, who profit off the profit off the death and suffering of innocent people.
Not only does the ANU work with Northrop Grumman, but it also holds securities in the firm,
totalling over $50,000 as of 2023. The ANU also has investments in Lockheed Martin and BAE systems to the tune of $430,000.
Why is this important?
Northorp Grumman has close ties with the Israeli military, supplying it with a plethora of weapons, including various missile systems, and key components for its fighter jets, missile ships, and trainer aircraft. Notably Northrop Grumman supplies Israel with key components of the F-35 fighter jet, which are currently being used to brutally massacre Palestinians.
Education is meant to better the world, not destroy it, and it is absolutely unconscionable for higher education institutions to work with any weapons companies, let alone Northrop Grumman, who is deeply complicit in the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.