Climate activists, drawing their ranks from a variety of local and national groups, descended upon the financial district of Manhattan to protest against the continuing investments in fossil fuels. The protesters demanded that President Biden use his influence to put an end to such investments, marking another significant escalation in the battle against climate change.
The protest was a collaborative effort, organized by the Oil & Gas Network, with the involvement of local groups like 350 NYC and the New York City chapter of Extinction Rebellion. These groups converged in Zuccotti Park for a training session prior to the Mass Civil Disobedience to End Fossil Fuels event.
The primary goal of this demonstration was to underscore the crucial role President Biden plays in addressing climate change. Additionally, it was to serve as a stern warning to fossil fuel financiers about the potential of further escalation if they choose to continue investing in fossil fuels.
As a part of their protest, the activists blockaded the New York Federal Reserve Bank. They pushed the institution to utilize its financial powers to address the climate crisis effectively, highlighting the immediate and pressing nature of the issue.
The protest then took aim at Bank of America’s funding of fossil fuel industries. Activists staged a demonstration in New York City, blocking traffic at Bryant Park to draw attention to their cause. They staged a die-in, a symbolic act representing the deaths caused by climate change and an eerie reminder of the human cost of the climate crisis.
Bank of America, the world’s largest financier of fossil fuels, has faced significant criticism for its continued support of the industry. Despite the signing of the Paris Agreement, an international treaty aimed at combatting climate change, the bank has lent over $150 billion to fossil fuel companies. These actions by climate activists in Manhattan are another stark reminder of the urgent need for financial institutions to reconsider their investment strategies and make a decisive shift towards sustainability.
