Chuck Darwin<p>Cello-playing climate activist arrested at New York Citibank protest as crackdown escalates </p><p>Second activist also arrested during ‘summer of heat’ 🔸protest against second largest <a href="https://c.im/tags/financier" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>financier</span></a> of <a href="https://c.im/tags/fossil" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>fossil</span></a> <a href="https://c.im/tags/fuels" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>fuels</span></a>🔸</p><p>A 63-year-old climate activist and professional <a href="https://c.im/tags/cellist" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>cellist</span></a> faces up to <br>💥seven years in prison 💥after being arrested on Thursday while performing a Bach solo outside the headquarters of ♦️one of the world’s largest fossil fuel financiers, <a href="https://c.im/tags/Citibank" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Citibank</span></a> ♦️in downtown New York.</p><p>John Mark <a href="https://c.im/tags/Rozendaal" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Rozendaal</span></a>, an adjunct music instructor at Princeton university <br>and Alec <a href="https://c.im/tags/Connon" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Connon</span></a>, director of the climate nonprofit group <br>"Stop the Money Pipeline", <br>were arrested for criminal contempt in the public park at the bank’s global headquarters <br>as the crackdown against <a href="https://c.im/tags/nonviolent" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>nonviolent</span></a> <a href="https://c.im/tags/climate" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>climate</span></a> <a href="https://c.im/tags/protesters" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>protesters</span></a> escalates.</p><p>Rozendaal was handcuffed and led away to the police vehicle singing “we are not afraid, <br>we are not afraid, <br>we will sing for liberation <br>because we know why we were made”. <br>The crowd of protesters chanted “let him play” and <br>“shame on you Citibank”.</p><p>Thirteen other climate activists, <br>who had linked arms in a circle around Rozendaal to protect him <br>as he played Bach’s suites for cello, <br>were detained for alleged "obstruction of governmental administration", <br>a misdemeanor criminal charge. </p><p>“People are dying … today is my birthday,” <br>said Mike Bucci, 77, teary eyed as the police in riot gear broke up the protest.<br>♦️Since 10 June, climate activists have been peacefully protesting against Citibank’s record financial support for new fossil fuel projects as part of the<br>⭐️ "Summer of Heat on Wall Street"⭐️campaign. </p><p>At least 3,700 people have participated in the nonviolent civil disobedience, <br>repeatedly blockading the entrance to its global headquarters. </p><p>More than 475 people including faith leaders, scientists and elders <br>have been arrested while calling on Citi to ✨stop bankrolling new coal, oil and gas.✨</p><p>Citi is the second largest financier of fossil fuels <br>and the largest financier of fossil fuel expansion since the 2015 Paris climate agreement, <br>according to the latest Banking on Climate Chaos report.</p><p>The latest arrests come as climate advocates accuse Citibank and the NYPD of <br>coordinated and escalating efforts to suppress nonviolent protests <br>in retaliation for drawing attention to the banking giant’s key role in funding fossil projects globally. </p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/08/citibank-climate-protest-new-york?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://www.</span><span class="ellipsis">theguardian.com/us-news/articl</span><span class="invisible">e/2024/aug/08/citibank-climate-protest-new-york?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other</span></a></p>