Local chapter of “Banking on Our Future” protest big banks’ fossil fuel ties

Protesters came out to Downtown San Diego despite the winter storms.

On March 21, activists in Downtown San Diego joined nationwide protests in front of the world’s biggest banks to stop funding fossil fuel projects. Banking on Our Future was one of 100 events for the Third Act National Day of Action, in cities across the country. Organized locally by Third Act SoCal, Sierra Club, SanDiego350, SanDiego350 Youth, Climate Action Campaign, ACT, Hammond Climate Solutions, Surfrider and the Interfaith Coalition for Earth Justice, demonstrators converged on San Diego’s financial district.

The event began with a dance performance with the special guest character, Mr. Noxxe, produced by ResilienSEA. After the performance, the activists marched along the street from Chase to Citibank. They shouted slogans toward banks to stop supporting fossil fuels and start green financing.

“In America, big banks present themselves as institutions that help working-class people achieve their dreams. Dreams such as buying their first home or saving enough money to send their kids to college… Dreams can’t be achieved on a dying planet. This is why today on behalf of myself a community,” said Brenda Garcia, one of the speakers of the event.

As Bloomberg News recently reported, if the financial services industry was a nation, it would be the fifth biggest emitter of greenhouse gases on Earth. As some of the climate impacts are already severe, this protest tries to raise awareness of the harm this will cause the next generation.

Lastly, the activists showed they would not let their funds be used to support the fossil fuel industry by cutting their debit and credit cards associated with big banks.

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