By Makailah Gause and Chibuike Oguh
(Reuters) -Dozens of climate activists were arrested after protesting at Citigroup’s headquarters in New York on Friday as part of what they called a “Summer of Heat” campaign.
Climate groups have been targeting Wall Street banks in a campaign against their financing of fossil fuel projects.
Police arrested 61 protesters on Friday, with charges pending, while two people were given summonses, according to the New York City Police Department.
“Our family and friends were willing to be arrested because their lives are on the line in our communities that are surrounded by the pollution that Citi is financing,” said Roishetta Ozane, one of the protest organizers.
Protesting in front of the company’s headquarters in Manhattan, demonstrators chanted: “Hey Citi, get off it, the 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 are supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy through our net zero commitments and our $1 trillion sustainable finance goal,” a bank spokesperson said in a statement. “Our approach reflects the need to transition while also continuing to meet global energy needs.”
The activists expected more than 1,000 people to participate in the demonstration, according to a statement ahead of the protest.
It was unclear how many people had gathered outside Citi’s building. The group had largely dissipated by Friday afternoon, according to a Reuters witness.
Citi employees were alerted on Thursday to anticipate “significant protest” activity on Friday, according to a source at the bank who shared the security notification with Reuters.
On June 10, multiple demonstrators were taken into custody outside Citi’s headquarters, and 23 individuals were later released with criminal court summonses, the NYPD said on Thursday.