'Summer of Heat on Wall Street' climate activists target Citigroup in Lower Manhattan
LOWER MANHATTAN (WABC) -- The first of four days of climate activists making their voices heard kicked off in Manhattan on Monday.
The activists call the shutdowns "The Summer of Heat on Wall Street."
They say it's a months-long campaign to hold protests to push Wall Street to stop funding oil, coal, and gas.
Their main target: Citigroup. They claim the company has invested some $400 billion into fossil fuels since 2016.
The 150 climate activists taking part in the protest say those investments have led to widespread floods, wildfires, pollution, mass drought, and forced migration.
"The climate crisis is not in the distant future, it's here, New Yorkers have experienced it. Institutions like CitiBank are what's driving that," said Alice Nascimento, Campaign Director, New York Communities for Change.
"I would like them to enlist all of the other major banks and become good corporate citizens that care about the environment, and that they could do very quickly, shut down financing new fossil fuel infrastructure," said Bill Rixon, climate activist.
Protesters were seen walking down the sidewalks holding signs and making their way to the entrance of the building.
The NYPD stood by, making sure protesters and those in the area remained safe.
Twenty-three of the protesters were arrested for disorderly conduct.
A spokesperson for Citigroup released a statement on the protests saying, "Citi respects the advocacy of climate activists, and we are supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy through our net zero commitments and our $1 trillion sustainable finance goal. Our approach reflects the need to transition while also continuing to meet global energy needs."
Monday's protesters included members from Stop the Money Pipeline, New York Communities for Change, Climate Defenders, and Planet Over Profit.
ALSO READ: Community rallies for tenants displaced in 2023 Queens building fire
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
