Gabby Brown, gabby.brown@sierraclub.org
Virginia -- Virginians rallied at bank branches across the state yesterday to call on major banks to pull their support for the fossil fuel industry.
The day of action marked the formation of a new coalition, Invest Virginia, made up of concerned communities working to challenge investments in the fossil fuel industry, particularly fracked gas infrastructure like the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley Pipelines that would threaten Virginia communities with increased air and water pollution and contribute to the climate crisis.
“From the mountains to the coast, Virginians are demanding that financial institutions pull their support from dirty industries,” said Sierra Club Organizing Representative Gabby Gillespie. “It’s time for big banks to invest in clean energy and initiatives that strengthen our communities rather than continuing to prop up fossil fuel companies that put the health and safety of our people and communities at risk.”
Groups held nine demonstrations at noon yesterday at bank branches in communities across Virginia including Big Stone Gap, Roanoke, Salem, Richmond, Chesterfield, Leesburg, and more to demand banks invest in communities and clean energy rather than dirty fossil fuels. There was also a follow-up action that took place later in the day in downtown Roanoke at the Wells Fargo Tower. At many of these actions, groups delivered a list of demands to the management of the financial institution.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.