"Let's Divest Now! We don't need Fossil Fuels
Anyway!"
Today was Global
Divestment Day, a day of coordinated action around the world to
highlight the divestment campaign. At over 450
events in 60 countries, people around the world declared that it’s wrong to
wreck the climate — and it’s wrong to profit from wrecking it.
From
the Pacific Islands to South Africa, from the United States to Germany, we
stood up to demand that our governments, universities and financial and
religious institutions stop investing in the rogue industries that are
destroying our planet. It was a massive turning point in the divestment
movement with people across six continents fighting to de-legitimize the fossil
fuel industry.
In
Bristol, we did it with a singing "flashmob" at Barclays Bank, in the
centre of Broadmead. After a quick rehearsal in Castle Park, we met up with
members of Grandparents for a Safe Earth, and stealthily made our way one by one
into the bank.
Evidently
the bank staff had heard about our plans and had put two beefy security guards
on the door, as well as a police officer loitering across the road. But we were
not deterred; Elaine blagged her way in with a story about wanting to discuss a
mortgage. She ended up in a private meeting room upstairs and missed the
beginning of the flashmob!
As
soon as we started the backing music, the burly bouncers turned on us and
politely, but firmly, requested we "leave quietly". So we did, and
recommenced the song right outside the front doors.
This
actually worked out better for us, because no-one could get in or out of the
bank, what with there being 25 of us singing, and a further 20 or so taking
pictures and supporting us. They shot themselves in the foot really.
With
our huge banner, it was difficult not to notice us. We handed out hundreds
of flyers and spoke to lots of passers by about moving their money. We
even got some press coverage! Read the article in the Bristol Post here.
Several
people closed their bank accounts.
All
in all it was a very successful day, and lots of fun was had by all. We look
forward to the next Global Divestment Day!
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