Closing out a “historic” summer of civil disobedience, the “Summer of Heat” campaign blockaded the entrance of Citibank’s headquarters in Manhattan for an hour on Thursday, triggering at least 50 arrests, according to Common Dreams.
During the 32nd protest held by different groups since June 10, organisers said scores of arrests had been made. Climate scientists have been taken into custody and even an advocate dressed as an orca. “Stop funding fossil fuels,” the costumed protester said.
For an hour, roughly 1,000 Citibank employees could not enter the building as demonstrators blocked the doors. “I have been studying climate change since 1982 and no one is listening to the data,” said biologist Sandra Steingraber as she got arrested.
Citibank’s controversial response to Summer of Heat protests
The “Summer of Heat” campaign has targeted Citibank due to its global status as one of the largest and most prominent funder of methane gas extraction since 2016 and a funder of oil, coal and gas projects in recent years.
Citibank has spent an estimated $396.3 billion from 2016-2023 in this direction, according to Common Dreams. More than 5,000 people have joined the “historic” demonstrations since June, and over 600 arrests have been made during this period.
Citibank’s response to the Summer of Heat protests had escalated to violence at times, as one security guard even punched a protester in the building’s lobby last month. Rights groups have expressed strong concern at the charges.
