Statement of Concern about Reported Repression of Peaceful Protests

August 5, 2024

Statement of Concern about Reported Repression of Peaceful Protests

By Rick Morris, Insurance Campaigner

Public Citizen Statement of Concern about Reported Repression of Peaceful Protests

August 2, 2024

Public Citizen is deeply concerned by the recent arrests and charges brought against the leadership of groups involved in the Summer of Heat on Wall Street's campaignprotesting CitiGroup and other financial institutions' climate-destructive financing practices.

Any attempt to suppress peaceful, and lawful, protests and inhibit free speech threatens the right of all activists to protest against injustice.

We stand in steadfast solidarity with Summer of Heat activists' right to peacefully advocate for a livable future and an end to the climate crisis. We urge CitiGroup and the New York Police Department to respect protestors' constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and to cease any repressive tactics.

This summer more than 100 organizations and at least 2,500 people have participated in protests against financial institutions fueling climate chaos and environmental racism. Public Citizen supports those who peacefully and lawfully protest against climate-destructive financing practices and financial institutions that fund fossil fuel projects, fueling the climate crisis. Any attempt to deter lawful protest and mute advocacy for a just and sustainable world both threatens democratic freedoms and hinders crucial advocacy against environmental racism, as well as efforts to challenge the financial underpinnings of the climate crisis.

We urge respect for the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and support the rights of activists advocating for accountability and the transformative change necessary to address the climate emergency.

Contact:
Please email Rick Morris at [email protected]or call (202) 588-1000.

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