Extinction Rebellion NYC Today Carried Out Direct Actions At Three Of The Largest Funders of Fossil Fuel Infrastructure

Press Contact: xrnyc_press@unitedrebellion.com

New York, NY - This morning, Extinction Rebellion NYC simultaneously carried out direct action protests against three banks that are the largest investors in fossil fuel infrastructure, directly financing the causes of the climate crisis. At the headquarters of Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and Citibank in Manhattan, Extinction Rebellion NYC activists blocked entrances, set up tripods and even (at the JPMorgan Chase site) dropped a boat to carry the message to New Yorkers and the world, that these banks are funding the cause of the climate crisis.

“$198 Billion Invested in Fossil Fuels,” said the banner outside Bank of America’s midtown Manhattan headquarters as half a dozen women blockaded the entrance and a seventh woman sat in a hammock supported by a large tripod on the sidewalk. At the midtown headquarters of JPMorgan Chase – a boat was dropped in the middle of the street with a sign on the side saying, “Stop the Greenwashing.” The police cordoned off the entire area, refusing access to anyone not already inside, including other protesters and even the news media, as the authorities made arrests. At the Tribeca headquarters of Citibank, a third group of activists set up a camp on the lawn near the entrance and put up a tripod to which they locked themselves down.  It took over five hours for the NYPD to remove all of the protestors, and it ended with approximately 36 people arrested. At the time of this release, protestors are still occupying the headquarters of Citibank at 388 Greenwich Street.

Extinction Rebellion NYC and its supporters also gathered at noon outside the New York Public Library in Manhattan for a peaceful rally, “die-in” and march. The march weaved through Manhattan, stopping at the Brazilian consulate to protest that government’s destructive environmental policies regarding the Amazon region and then to the United Nations. The day’s events are the start of ongoing actions leading up to COP 26, the global conference that many consider a make or break event to get runaway global warming under control. 

The latest United Nations’ IPCC report says that we as a species have run out of time. Our climate is breaking down and life on Earth is literally dying, accelerated by our out-of-control economic system and the resulting overconsumption of natural resources. Though the climate will inevitably get worse, how much worse it gets is entirely up to us. Drastic action is needed now to ensure we minimize the suffering and destruction brought about by decades of ignoring the crisis.


“We’ve reached the breaking point,” said Christina See, a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion NYC. “We need our government leaders to take action immediately. The New York City area saw over 40 deaths due to record breaking floods just a few weeks ago. The climate crisis is here, now.”

“People are in denial about the mess we’re in,” said Kerith Creo, another spokesperson for the group. “We’re sending a message loud and clear that the little action that politicians and greenwashing CEO’s have taken so far does not begin to deal with the magnitude of this crisis.”

Co-Sponsors of the event were NY Communities for Change (@ny4change), Rainforest Action Network (@rainforestactionnetwork), Seeding Sovereignty (@seedingsovereignty), Climate Crisis Policy (@climatemondays), Fridays for Future NYC (@fff.nyc), Reverse The Trend (@reversett_), Rise and Resist (@risenresistnyc), World Can't Wait (@worldcantwait) and 350nyc (@350nyc).

Photos and videos for the event can be found here.

Extinction Rebellion’s key demands are:

1. Government must tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change.

2. Government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.

3. Government must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice.

4. Government must commit to a just transition in order to maintain a livable, just planet for all.

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pressBridget HerendaEnoughIsEnough, StopTheHarm, ChangeIsNow, NoNewFossilFuels, ActNow, TellTheTruth