Climate camp protesters target bank
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Climate campaigners targeted the head office of a leading bank today in the latest protest by activists attending a climate camp.
Dressed as construction workers, they used stepladders, locks and superglue to form a blockade at the RBS building in the City of London.
They unfurled banners which read "RBS: under new ownership" and "Ethical renovation in progress".
The activists said they were protesting against the bank's investments in fossil fuel projects, especially funding for the coal industry and tar sands extraction in Canada.
Protester James Clarke said: "RBS is 70%-owned by the public but it is completely against the public interest for our money to be used to fund climate change. Yet again, the banks are putting profit over people."
Another protester, Bryony Taylor, 20, said: "This is an anti-banks holiday. We are here to say that the banks, especially RBS, need to be fundamentally reconstructed to put sustainability at the top of their agenda.
"It is outrageous that bankers are being given multimillion- pound golden hellos from taxpayers' money while showing total disregard for the future of the planet."
Climate camp activists also staged a protest on the roof of a building in central London that houses public relations company Edelman, which activists said was the firm behind advertising plans for a coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent.
A group of demonstrators also occupied the lobby and entrance to the building.
One of the protesters, Alice Fielding, said: "Edelman PR are nothing more than new coal spin doctors, intent on making profit out of E.On's activities at the expense of the global climate."
The climate camp was set up in south-east London last Wednesday and will run until the end of this week.
People taking part have now staged a series of protests outside buildings in central London, including the Treasury yesterday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments