CODEPINK NYC and Allies Protest IRC’s Annual Dinner Over BlackRock’s Role and Support for Israel’s War Crimes
CODEPINK News
CODEPINK NYC, along with a coalition of activist groups and independent activists, staged a protest outside the International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) annual fundraising dinner on Thursday night, drawing attention to the organization’s ties to BlackRock and its role in supporting Israel’s ongoing genocide and human rights violations in Gaza.
There were large photos near the entrance featuring Black and Brown women, including a hijabi woman with her baby. The display felt exploitative, almost like "poverty porn," as it seemed to highlight the contrast between using these women to raise money while simultaneously supporting the very systems—through ties with BlackRock—that contribute to their ongoing struggles and exploitation.
Protesters told attendees "welcome to the genocide dinner" as they entered and chanted:
"BlackRock you can’t hide, you get rich off genocide"
"For dignity and aid, we make our plea—no blood-stained funds at IRC"
"IRC have some shame, no more money in BlackRock’s name"
"IRC we see you, BlackRock is complicit and so are you"
"IRC have some shame, no blood money in humanity’s name"
Most attendees didn't even stop to find out more about why protesters were outside. Some attendees and IRC staff at reception even laughed as if genocide is a joke to them - .quite hypocritical for people posturing as humanitarians. Celebrities in attendance include Sam Smith, Lena Headey, Adjoa Andoh, and Ali Velshi.
The protest was sparked by the presence of BlackRock CEO Larry Fink on IRC’s Board of Directors, as well as BlackRock’s financial support for the organization. BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, was acknowledged as a ‘Rescue Ambassador’ for its $500,000 donation to IRC, securing a high-profile table at the fundraiser. The protestors condemned this financial relationship, citing the complicity of BlackRock in profiting from the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestine, and accused IRC of ignoring this conflict of interest.
According to United Nations experts, BlackRock and other major Wall Street banks are profiting from investments in companies that are complicit in Israel’s war crimes in Gaza. Leading UN human rights authorities have called on Western weapons manufacturers and financial institutions to stop supplying arms to Israel, warning that such actions make them liable for war crimes. Protestors argue that BlackRock’s financial support of the IRC contradicts the organization’s purported humanitarian mission.
“We are here to call out the hypocrisy of the IRC,” said a spokesperson for the protest coalition. “On the one hand, they claim to be neutral and focused on humanitarian work, but on the other, they are accepting money from BlackRock, a company that is profiting from Israel’s crimes against Palestinians. IRC’s silence on Gaza, and their repeated use of debunked talking points, only adds to their complicity in these atrocities.”
IRC’s messaging regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza has come under sharp criticism for its lack of clarity and failure to take a strong stance. The organization’s CEO, a former UK politician, has defended the IRC’s approach, claiming that the organization must remain neutral and impartial. However, this stance is untenable in the face of IRC’s financial ties to BlackRock, whose investments in weapons and other military industries directly contribute to the violence in Gaza.
The protestors demanded that the IRC address the conflict of interest surrounding Larry Fink’s role on the Board of Directors and the organization’s financial ties to BlackRock. They also called for the IRC to take a more principled stance on Gaza, denouncing the ongoing genocide and human rights violations committed by the Israeli government.
The protest drew attention to the broader issue of Western financial institutions and corporations profiting from conflict and human rights abuses. As one of the world’s largest asset managers, BlackRock has been repeatedly called out for its investments in companies that supply weapons and military equipment used by Israel against innocent Palestinian civilians. Institutions like IRC must reconsider their partnerships and funding sources in order to remain true to their humanitarian missions.