As part of Global Divestment Mobilization, New Yorkers escalate call for Comptrollers Stringer and DiNapoli to divest from fossil fuels
New York, NY — Just weeks after hundreds of thousands of people, including over 150 busloads from New York, mobilized in Washington, D.C. and in more than 370 cities across the country for the Peoples Climate March, New Yorkers are harnessing this energy to escalate the call for New York City and State Comptrollers Scott Stringer and Tom DiNapoli to cut ties with fossil fuels and divest New York’s $350 billion pension funds.
Starting May 5th, a global wave of activities lasting ten days will take place across 39 countries on six continents. The thousands of people participating in the Global Divestment Mobilization will intensify the demand for institutions to stop investing in oil, gas, coal and pipeline companies, which are destroying our collective future and impacting communities today.
Institutions across New York, such as Riverside Church, Amalgamated Bank, the American Museum of Natural History, Barnard College, Columbia University, Cooperstown, NY, and many more, are already taking bold action to cut ties with fossil fuels and reinvest in New Yorkers. It’s time for Scott Stringer and Tom DiNapoli to do the same.
Betamia Coronel, 350.org US Reinvestment Coordinator said:
“New Yorkers are harnessing the power of the massive Peoples Climate March to escalate the call for Comptrollers Stringer and DiNapoli to cut ties with fossil fuels. The Trump administration spent its first months rolling back hard-won protections of people and our planet. We spent it building bold solutions for an 100% clean economy that works for all of us. New York has the opportunity to be true climate leader, but its current ties to coal, oil and gas companies knowingly perpetuating the climate crisis stand in the way. It is investments in these companies fund impacts like Superstorm Sandy. How many more Sandy-like storms must our communities endure before our elected officials take action on par with the crisis?”
May 8, 2017 — Fossil Fuel Divestment Lobby Day
When: Monday, May 8, 2017, 12:30pm ET
Where: Albany State Capitol
Who: #DivestNY Coalition
What: New Yorkers will bring the Peoples Climate fight to the State Capitol to hold elected officials accountable. Join the group for a 12:30pm press conference before lobby meetings around the legislation that would force the State Comptroller to divest the State’s $170 billion pension funds from coal, oil and gas.
More info: http://act.350.org/event/gdd2017/13712/
May 9, 2017 — Trump Tower Teach-In and Rally for Divestment
When: Tuesday, May 9, 2017, 12:00pm ET
Where: Inside Trump Tower, Atrium and Public Garden
Who: Reverend Bill Talen and Choir, New York Communities for Change, 350.org, 350NYC, New Economy Project, and Bronx Climate Justice North.
What: Backed by a gospel choir, New Yorkers will rally in the public space of Trump Tower to challenge New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, who directs the $165 billion city pension funds, to be a true climate leader in the face of climate and community attacks from Trump’s fossil fuel-controlled administration.
More info: http://act.350.org/event/gdd2017/13717/
May 10, 2017 — DivestInvest NY: The Business Case
When: Wednesday, May 10, 2017, 9:30-11:00 am ET
Where: Fordham University – Lincoln Center
Who: Amalgamated Bank, Trillium Asset Management, The Cleaver Co.,The Green Table, New York Sustainable Business Council, Divest/Invest
What: As major oil companies barely break even, financial institutions and businesses must play a key role in the just transition away from fossil fuels to a new sustainable economy built for all. That’s why businesses are betting on climate action and calling on pension funds to join them to divest from the past and invest in the future. Panelists will address challenges, successes, and potential for economic benefits as they act on climate.
More info: http://act.350.org/event/gdd2017/13715/
May 16, 2017 — Climate, Jobs and Justice Accountability Forum
When: Tuesday, May 16, 2017 6:30 pm ET
Where: Ethical Culture Society Concert Hall
Who: Community, environmental, environmental justice and labor groups, and the People’s Climate March – NY
What: Hundreds of New Yorkers will meet in a town-hall style setting to hear from and ask questions of Mayor de Blasio, Public Advocate James and Comptroller Stringer (invited) on 3 of the top climate, jobs and justice issues, including #DivestNY.
More info: http://act.350.org/event/gdd2017/13759/
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Contact: Lindsay Meiman, lindsay@350.org, (347) 460-9082
For more information on the campaign to #DivestNY, visit: divestny.org