By Makailah Gause and Chibuike Oguh
(Reuters) -Dozens of climate activists were arrested on Friday after protesting at Citigroup’s New York headquarters as part of what they called a “Summer of Heat” campaign.
Climate groups have targeted Wall Street banks in a campaign against financing fossil fuel projects.
New York City police arrested 61 protesters Friday with charges pending, while two people were issued summonses, according to the New York City Police Department.
“Our family and friends were willing to be arrested because their lives are at stake in our communities surrounded by the pollution that Citi funds,” said Roishetta Ozane, one of the protest organizers.
Protesters protested in front of the company’s headquarters in Manhattan, chanting, “Hey Citi, get out, planet over profit.” Activists held signs reading “Citi earns while the world burns.”
The bank said it welcomed engagement with stakeholders and was transparent about its climate-related work.
“We support the transition to a low-carbon economy through our net-zero commitments and our $1 trillion sustainable finance target,” a bank spokesperson said in a statement. “Our approach reflects the need for a transition while continuing to meet global energy needs.”
The activists expected more than 1,000 people to participate in the demonstration, according to a statement before the protest.
It was unclear how many people had gathered outside the Citi building. According to a Reuters witness, the group had largely disappeared by Friday afternoon.
Citi employees were warned on Thursday to expect “significant protest activity” on Friday, according to a source at the bank who shared the security alert with Reuters.
On June 10, several protesters were taken into custody outside Citi headquarters and 23 people were later released with criminal court summonses, the NYPD said Thursday.
