Dozens Arrested as Activists Target Citigroup for Bankrolling Climate Breakdown
Why have the Summer of Heat campaigners specifically targeted Citigroup for their protests?
The Summer of Heat campaigners have specifically targeted Citigroup for their protests because Citigroup is the largest investor in expanding fossil fuels. As the owner of Citibank, the conglomerate financed more fossil fuel expansion than any bank in the world in the eight years after the 2015 Paris agreement was signed. The campaigners aim to demand a future free from fossil fuels and hold Wall Street accountable for its role in the climate crisis.
How did the campaigners communicate their activities and messages during the protest at Citigroup's headquarters?
During the protest at Citigroup's headquarters, campaigners communicated their activities and messages through various means, such as locking arms and holding banners at the entrances to the building. They also utilized social media platforms to announce their presence and intentions, posting updates and sharing images and videos of the protest in real-time. Organizations like Climate Defenders and Stop the Money Pipeline played a crucial role in disseminating information and engaging their followers. Additionally, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) published an open letter to Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser, calling for the bank to stop funding new fossil fuel projects. The protestors aimed to raise awareness about Citigroup's significant role in financing fossil fuel expansion and demand that the bank cease such activities to mitigate the climate crisis.
What was the response of the police to the protest at Citigroup's headquarters, and how many activists were arrested?
The police responded to the protest at Citigroup's headquarters by arresting several activists. The exact number of arrests varies across different sources, but it is mentioned that at least 22 activists were taken into custody on the second day of protests, and around 33 climate activists were arrested on the first day2. The police were present in force at the scene, with a large number of officers ensuring the safety of the area6. Despite the arrests, the morale among the protesters remained high, as they aimed to disrupt the bank's operations to demand a future free from fossil fuels.