Pensioners hold protest at bank
DETERMINED pensioners staged a sit-in protest over what they see as environmentally unfriendly investment by Barclays bank.
The four members of Grandparents for a Safe Earth refused to leave the Blackboy Hill branch for almost five hours yesterday.
-
Activists, from let, Kate Cannell, Dr Ina Humphreys, Phil Kingston and Felicity Radford outside Barclays on Blackboy Hill Picture: Jo Wakenshaw
They say they are "deeply concerned" about the effects of climate change on the world their children and grandchildren will inherit, citing a report from the International Energy Agency, which predicts that if the worldwide development of coal extraction and coal-fired power stations continues, average temperatures will rise by more than 2C.
The group says Barclays is the fifth biggest backer of coal-fired power plants globally.
Dyson DC50i - Bagless upright vacuum cleaner - BALL Technology -...
View detailsThisi is Dyson's smallest upright vacuum cleaner with the performance of a full size upright machine. The DC50i has Dyson's most advanced cleaner head technology and 2 Tier RadialTM cyclones.
Terms: LIMITED STOCK OFFER. FREE delivery to most UK postcodes - Next working day dispatch.
Contact: 01664 491439
Valid until: Monday, May 27 2013
Dr Ina Humphreys, 76, Kate Cannell, 66, Phil Kingston, 77, and Felicity Radford, 65, brought placards and pictures of their grandchildren to emphasise their point as they handed a letter to the branch manager and leaflets to customers.
Ina, of Westbury Park, said: "We are here today because Barclays is the biggest investor in the UK, and the fifth biggest in the world, of coal-fired infrastructure. We would like them to disinvest in coal and invest more in renewable energy."
A Barclays spokesman said: "Barclays has strong environmental policies which apply both to our own environmental footprint and to our lending to corporate clients."
Police asked the group to leave the bank but they stayed until 4.30pm, at which point officers said they faced being forcibly removed.
The protesters said they left "arm in arm" with police.
No arrests were made.
4 Comments
by JoeBristle
Thursday, March 07 2013, 3:41PM
“These folks know their stuff, and they're brave enough to do something about it. I want to be them when I grow up.
Here's a the address for a short video of the action http://tinyurl.com/aexxurm”
by cargols
Thursday, March 07 2013, 2:09PM
“Er no, actually. My Mum has a very busy active life despite her age, arthritis and sight impairment. If fact she has just returned from visiting a friend in South Africa! It's great to see people of my Mum's age showing concern for issues like this. They may not be here when some of these environmental problems start to really kick in but their children and grandchildren will.
It will also, hopefully, help to inspire and empower other elders who may want to get involved in things like this but have felt held back by societal attitudes/expectations.
Go for it, Grandparents for a safe earth....kick ass!!!”
by whippetprince
Thursday, March 07 2013, 11:37AM
“Grandparents for a Safe Earth...Bless.
"Police asked the group to leave the bank but they stayed until 4.30pm, at which point officers said they faced being forcibly removed."
Had to get home in time for 'Countdown' followed by a long nap no doubt.”
by robertjessete
Thursday, March 07 2013, 10:07AM
“Go Green Granparents!”