August 14, 2007
action photos available at:
http://asheville.indymedia.org/article/236
[video coming soon. press releases available at
www.risingtidenorthamerica.org].
***5 arrested protesting Bank of America's investments
in coal and climate change***
As a culmination of the Southeast Convergence for
Climate Action, activists took a bold direct action
against Bank of America, demanding they stop investing
in coal and climate injustice. Although there was much
speculation regarding a protest action at the Progress
Energy Skyland coal-fired power plant, protestors
surprised the downtown office of Bank of America. "We
went to Bank of America to show that power companies
are not solely responsible for fueling climate chaos,"
explained Stephanie Whitaker.
Bank of America has lent hundreds of millions of
dollars to companies that run and are planning to build
new power plants, such as Florida Power and Light.
Between 2005 and 2007, Bank of America facilitated
nearly $1 billion in loans to Massey Energy and Arch
Coal, two of the largest companies responsible for the
destructive practice of mountaintop removal coal
mining. This form of mining literally blasts the tops
off of mountains to get at thin seems of coal that lie
beneath. Mountaintop removal coal mining has
permanently destroyed over 500 square miles of
mountains and buried over 1,200 miles of streams in
West Virginia alone.
Two activists locked down inside the main lobby and
other activists blockaded the entrance to the downtown
branch of Bank of America. The protest included a
large, lively group of concerned citizens dressed as
canaries and polar bears. Activists carried signs and
banners that read: "Stop Banking on Climate Change,"
"Bank of America Stop Mountaintop Removal", and
"Climate Justice Now". Some members of the protest
spoke to the engaged crowd about saving the mountains
of Appalachia and the sacrifice people in these hills
are forced to make for corporate profit and advocated a
swift and just transition to renewable energy.
Several activists entered the bank, delivering coal to
tellers and other customers and exposing Bank of
America's involvement in climate change. Two activists
inside used bicycle locks to prevent their removal from
the building, with the following demands:
Recognizing that climate change is already here, we
hold corporations and governments accountable for the
effects on communities, people and the living earth.
Therefore, we demand:
1.That Bank of America completely divest from the coal
industry and other dirty, climate-changing energy
companies.
2.A 90% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
3.An immediate halt to any plans for new nuclear and
coal power plants and a complete redirection of
research and development money toward conservation,
efficiency and clean, renewable energy projects.
4.An immediate end to mountaintop removal coal mining
and other forms of strip mining.
5.A just, rapid transition away from fossil fuels and
nuclear power by 2020.
6.A shift to community controlled, small-scale systems
of energy production, transportation, and food
production and distribution.
7.An end to the privatization of the atmosphere through
market-based mechanisms such as carbon trading.
8.Climate Justice Now!
From: The Southeast Convergence for Climate Action
-----------------
The Southeast Convergence for Climate Action happened
simultaneously with a Climate Convergence on the west
coast focused on fighting liquefied natural gas
terminals, and in conjunction with the UK Camp for
Climate Action taking place at London's Heathrow
airport.
The Southeast Convergence for Climate Action promotes a
just, rapid, nuclear-free transition away from fossil
fuels; promotes environmental justice by supporting
communities that are fighting dirty energy developments
in their backyards; and encourages direct actions as a
means for challenging corporate power and empowering
movements to stop climate change.
------------------
Asheville Activists Need Help!
Tuesday, August 14th
Police violently arrested five people at a nonviolent
direct action at the regional Bank of America
headquarters in downtown Asheville.
The action was the culmination to the Southeast
Convergence for Climate Action. See
http://asheville.indymedia.org/ for press releases and
photos.
Despite severe police surveillance and scare tactics at
the camp and an unprecedented police presence at Bank
of America, the action was a success and was completely
non-violent. Those arrested were locked down inside
the building, while supporters rallied outside wearing
polar bear and canary costumes to represent non-human
victims of environmental devastation.
Four people spent the night in jail last night and were
bailed out today with the help of several generous
friends fronting the money, but they need to get paid
back. We need your help! Please contribute whatever
you can to help in the fight against mountaintop
removal, power plants, carbon trading, climate
injustice and cultural displacement.
You can donate money through PayPal (which lets you use
credit cards). To pay online, click on the link below:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_xclick&business=risingtide%40...
You can make checks payable to Rising Tide North
America, and make sure to write "southeast convergence
action” in the memo field. Mail checks to:
Rising Tide North America
PO Box 16851
Asheville, NC 28816
Thank you so much! Every little bit helps!
e-mail: risingtide@mountainrebel.net
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