Coal Finance Day of Action

This article is part of the Coal Issues portal on SourceWatch, a project of Global Energy Monitor and the Center for Media and Democracy. See here for help on adding material to CoalSwarm.

2008

On November 14 and 15, 2008, numerous grassroots and citizen groups mobilized a thousands of people to protest the coal industry and its financiers. The groups organizing the actions included Rainforest Action Network, Greenpeace, Rising Tide, Mountain Justice, Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC), Coal River Mountain Watch, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Black Mesa Water Coalition, Southern Energy Network, Heartwood, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Coop America, Earthfirst, and Mountain Justice.

North Carolina

Earth First and Rising Tide activists placed banners at key commuter spots, protesting coal as a dirty fuel and Bank of America's role as major financier of the coal industry. In Raleigh and Wilmington, activists shut down dozens of Bank of America ATM machines with global warming crime scene tape. At the Bank of America headquarters in Charlotte, a banner supsended from helium balloons was left inside building with the message, "Stop Banking on Climate Change."

Florida

Activists from Rainforest Action Network and Everglades Earth First crashed Bank of America's Energy Conference at the Ritz-Carleton on Key Biscayne. The group used a megaphone to present the need for Bank of America to move its financing away from coal and towards cleaner energy, and held up a banner that read, "Captains of Industry: Rise Above Dirty Energy!" Two activists were detained at the hotel when they returned to place flyers around the property.

Philadelphia, PA

Energy Justice Network and other local activists took to the streets to protest Bank of America's financial support of construction of new coal plants and coal mining. Activists spent the day on Saturday collecting petition signatures, calling the Bank of America headquarters (704-386-5666) with complaints about their loans to Big Coal, and distributing information on how to purchase wind energy and on Bank of America's ties to big coal companies- including those that practice mountaintop removal mining.

Boston, MA

Members of Rising Tide Boston set up outside Bank of America and Citibank branches to highlight the primary role these banks play in financing in coal power and mining. The activists handed out samples of "green coal" to imitate the coal industry's marketing pitch of "Clean Coal." According to one activist's pitch, "Although we’ve spent a lot of time and resources researching ways to make coal environmentally friendly, or ‘clean and green’, the best way we found to do it is to paint it green."

New York, NY

Activists from Rainforest Action Network met in midtown Manhattan in front of Citibank headquarters. the activists dressed in business attire to represent Citi bankers apologizing for the bank's role in financing coal and contributing to the climate crisis. The group engaged passersby, distributing an open letter outlining the commitments Citi should be making to a cleaner and more sustainable future, and also dispayed signs reading, "Sorry About Climate Change - Our Bad," "Sorry about those foreclosures," and "We promise - no more dirty investments."

San Francisco, CA

Rainforest Action Network and Greenpeace activists shut down dozens of Bank of America and Citi ATMs. Banners reading "Coal is Over" and "Don't forclose on the climate" were posted around the financial district. More than 30 activists occupied Bank of America and Citi branches, ending with a protest outside utility company PG&E.

Washington, DC

Activists used caution tape to shut down about 40 Citi and Bank of America ATMs.

Knoxville, TN

Activists posted a banner that read, "No Clean Coal! Save our Money Mountains Air and Future! Invest in Renewable Energy!" and shut down Bank of America and Citi ATMs.

2007

On November 11, 2007, Rainforest Action Network sponsored a nationwide set of actions aimed at CitiBank and Bank of America. Organizers reported actions in over 40 cities and towns as well as over 100 actions against Citi and Bank of America (with a couple of actions against Duke and Peabody). The following reports were compiled by RAN organizer Scott Parkin.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Two college students, dressed as polar bears, locked themselves to the doors at Duke Energy to protest the construction of North Carolina’s Cliffside coal plants.

Southern West Virginia

At Kayford Mountain WV, Larry Gibson and students from James Madison University, assembled for the picture at the right to protest mountaintop removal. Folks from Coal River Mountain Watch in Whitesville -- right down the road from Marsh Fork Elementary -- also protested Bank of America financing mountaintop removal.

St. Petersburg, Florida

Three activists from two local environmental groups — Earth First! and Rising Tide — unleashed a balloon-propelled banner earlier today attacking the bank for funding new coal plants and investing in mining companies that use environmentally destructive practices to extract coal.

New York, New York

“Citi is sponsoring How the Grinch Stole Christmas on Broadway so we thought it only fitting that the Grinch and all the Whos from Whoville pay them a visit.”

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

”Members of Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC), Rainforest Action Network (RAN), and Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) rallied, leafletted, and performed street theater–including a die-in and clean energy revival–at a Bank of America at 19th and Market in downtown Philadelphia. The students and youth talked to customers about Bank of America’s dirty energy investments, and sent a message to the city’s financial district: “Coal is over, Fund the Future!”. Today’s action will be followed up with an action at Citibank in center city tomorrow.”

Harrisonburg, Virginia

Thirty-five to forty students from James Madison University and Blue Ridge Earth First! attended attended a bike mass and action outside of Bank of America in downtown Harrisonburg. Two people canceled their accounts, while others delivered letters to bank management. Check out the video here on “One on one”–http://www.whsv.com/news

Houston, Texas

RAN Houston occupied and distributed flyers inside a Bank of America branch before being escorted out by police.

Austin, Texas

RAN Austin passed out leaflets and petitioned a Bank of America branch in downtown Austin.

Charleston, West Virginia

“Concerned youth from Charleston, WV gathered in the bleachers of a local high school under the shadow of a coal fired power plant to protest Citi and other funders of coal, such as Bank of America. These funders invest huge amounts of money in mountaintop removal and coal-fired power plants. Over 100 protests against coal funders are expected nation-wide, planned by groups such as the Rainforest Action Network, the Student Environmental Action Coalition, Coal River Mountain Watch.

These concerned citizens believe that because mountaintop removal coal mining hurts West Virginia communities, and coal fired power plants are destroying local air quality and fueling global warming, Citi and Bank of America should be investing its customers’ money in renewable energies and green jobs for a healthier West Virginia economy.”

Las Vegas, Nevada

Margot in the Las Vegas RYSE chapter reported to us “We passed out tons of flyers and stickers, talked about the issues over a megaphone, and got over 150 signatures for our petition.We were very happy with the success of our first action! Thanks for all the support.”

Check out the Las Vegas RYSE video here.

Davis, California

A determined affinity group of activists shut down dozens of ATMs in Davis. Note the pic of people waiting in line for all the ATMs except Bank of America.

Richmond, Virginia

Richmond activists reported “Action went really well today! Lots of energy and we flyered and held banners for about 2 hours outside BOA branch in financial district of downtown Richmond. Gave away almost 600 half page flyers, and hopefully changed some minds.”

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Activists from Casa Maria Catholic Worker told us “In Milwaukee, We delivered letters (with Dirty Money flyers) and met with managers of the 3 CitiFinancials in Milwaukee and 1 Smith Barney. Their responses were relatively positive.”

San Francisco, CA

Across downtown San Francisco, nearly every Bank of America and Citi ATM was shut down this morning as swarms of activists covered over 70 ATM’s with “Global Warming Crime Scene” tape and “closed” signs denouncing investments in coal that are killing our climate. Many customers enthusiastically took flyers, shocked to learn that their banks are using their money to invest in environmental destruction.

A few hours later, a roving band of people in Haz-Mat suits featuring the Citi logo with smokestacks billowing climate-destroying gasses took to San Francisco streets. At 4 different Citi locations, people entered the branches educating customers about Citi’s dirty investments in the coal industry. “Die-Ins” were held inside branches and “global warming crime scenes” were announced as banks shuttered their doors.

Eugene, Oregon

Folks reported “Our action went well despite the constant pouring rain, at one point I counted 14 folks out there in the rain- more than that came and went. Banner was displayed to a busy road for full hours of operation of the bank 10-1. “Against Coal? Honk!” signs were a big hit until they dissolved in the rain, our billionaire for coal’s hat suffered a similar fate. We’ve got 66 signatures and talked to easily twice that many (even in the rain!). 3 people said they informed the bank they were closing there accounts. Distributed a bunch of info.”

Los Angeles, California

Billionaires for Coal throw cocktail party outside Bank of America branch in Pasadena. la

Santa Barbara, California

University of California, Santa Barbara: “When I arrived at 10am to set up, two men in suits were already present, and speaking with the local police force. Turns out, those guys were from Bank of America headquarters in LA, and came all the way up from LA to keep an eye on us! They observed our actions from afar throughout the day. Once we packed up, I approached one of them, introduced myself, thanked him for letting us demonstrate in front of the ATMs (even though we weren’t violating any laws) and asked if he’d like to sign the petition. Obviously, he declined. But he did say that he supported what we were doing. I’m assuming he won’t want to be quoted on that. We flyered and asked for signatures from 10-2, after which the campus was completely dead. We got about 75 signatures, and lots of press.” Read more about it here.

Washington, DC

Activists and polar bears demonstrated in front of Bank of America with the polar bears attempting to close their B of A accounts. Pictures here.

University of South Carolina

Coal War on Bank of America video.

Berkeley, California

About a dozen UC Berkeley students flyered and protested in front of the Bank of America in downtown Berkeley.

Oakland, California

The Oakland RYSE chapter flyered and performed a dance piece in front of the Citi branch at 14th and Broadway in downtown Oakland.

Los Angeles, California

UCLA RAN joined in the day of action inside and outside their local Bank of America branch.

Olympia, Washington

”On Friday, November 16th, approximately 25 activists paid a visit to the Bank of America branch in downtown Olympia to demand an end to B of A’s coal investments. This boisterous group of college students and working people carried signs and banners and received plenty of support from passing motorists, who honked their horns or gave the thumbs-up sign. About thirty minutes into the protest, we tried to bring in some balloons for a banner float, but their security would not lets us in. After some talking, he decided to let those of us with accounts enter the bank to close our accounts. A few others were able to get in, talk to people and hold signs. About seven of us closed our accounts. Some of the tellers were curious as to why we would do this, and we informed them that Bank of America funds the coal industry, who are responsible for destroying mountains in Appalachia, and who accelerate climate chaos by spewing millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. These tellers appeared clueless about what their employer does. While talking to one of the higher-ups who assisted me with closing my account, I asked him if he was aware of Bank of America’s immoral actions, and he replied that that was none of his concern.

After closing our accounts we walked back outside where our comrades were waiting, and were greeted with jubilation. We had cut all ties with this corporation that invests billions of dollars in coal power production, and it felt marvelous! We continued to hand fliers to pedestrians and inform B of A customers of their banks investment record. We ended the action by taking pictures of us all in front of the bank.

Overall, I believe it was a successful action. Although nobody from the press showed, we were still able to broadcast our message in person to countless Olympians.”

Athens, Ohio

“Saturday morning members of EarthFirst went to the local farmers market in Athens, Ohio, passing out fliers and asking community members to take a lump of coal to the Citi Financial Center on State Street with the message that they have to stop funding mountain top removal and strip mining, and instead fund better alternatives. The EFers then went to the financial center themselves, dumping coal at the front door, holding signs on the street, and writing messages to the bank in coal on the sidewalk. The center locked its doors and the group disrupted the last few minutes of business for the day. The police were called to put an end to the demonstration, but community members driving by showed their support for the action by honking and waving to the group gathered outside. Later that day, members of OU’s SDS passed out fliers and got petitions signed on campus, raising awareness about Citi and Bank of America’s harmful investment in dirty coal. ”

Portland, Oregon

”Portland’s Anti-Coal Social/ Dance Party was a great success. On Sat. 17th around 30 people met at Couch Park and proceeded to dance about 10 block to the nearest Bank of America. (Music provided by Chops and his awesome bike portable Party in a box) Once we arrived at the Bank of America we noticed someone had climbed on the roof and hung a banner saying, “Funding Coal, Killing Communities; Bank of America”. Seeing this everyone got excited and began to take over the parking area and adjacent sidewalk while bustin a groove to the music. As we proceeded to shut down the ATMs with “Out of Order” sign and ” Global Warming Crime Scene” tape another person scaled the building and hung another banner saying “Stop Mountain Top Removal” and with an elaborately made bulldozer and explosion to accentuate the message. The police came after about an hour and tore down the info on the ATMs but left us to our dance party. Eventually the police left and we stayed for a few more hours talking to BoA customers and getting folks to sign the petition. When we were dispersing a small group of folks did a tour of downtown BoA’s and shut down 5 more ATMs with signs and crime scene tape to make a total of 7 ATMs for the day.”pdx doa

Erlanger, Kentucky

“This banner about Citi was facing Interstate 75 just south of Cincinnati. Joe Barnett says “we live in fear” because his house is beneath a valley fill, so this is my response to the companies that help destroy Appalachian communities.