Moment CitiBank guard punches climate activist in face during protest at company’s New York headquarters
A climate protester was hospitalized with facial injuries on Wednesday after being beaten by a security guard at Citibank headquarters in New York. Common dreams defeated.
The incident occurred when activists from the Summer of Heat campaign gathered in the bank’s lobby.
Eren Can Illeri, the injured protester, was part of the protest demanding a meeting with Citibank executives to discuss the bank’s continued investments in fossil fuels.
Summer of Heat, a coalition supported by New York Communities for Change, Planet Over Profit and Stop the Money Pipeline, has made Citibank a top target this summer.
Video footage of the incident shows Illeri filming with his phone when a guard approached him and tried to take the device.
A climate protester was hospitalized with facial injuries on Wednesday after being beaten by a security guard at Citibank’s New York headquarters, protest organizers said.
Eren Can Illeri (pictured), the injured protester, was part of the protest demanding a meeting with Citibank executives to discuss the bank’s continued investments in fossil fuels.
The guard then punched Illeri in the face and pushed him to the ground
“We have been asking Citi for weeks to talk to us about what it can do to address the climate emergency,” said Alicé Nascimento, a spokesperson for Summer of Heat. Common dreams.
“But instead of meeting us, they sent their security guards to physically attack peaceful climate activists, after weeks of intimidation and threats.”
“Citi is supporting violence, and that’s disgusting,” said Alice Hu, a climate activist for New York Communities for Change, who said the violence at the company’s headquarters is a direct reflection of “fossil fuel violence and climate chaos.”
Since its launch on June 10, Summer of Heat has mobilized more than 4,000 people to protest against Citibank.
More than 475 people have been arrested in connection with these protests, including a grandfather playing the cello last week.
Protesters last month also reported being pushed by a top Citibank lawyer.
“Citi has proven time and again that their violent business is rooted in violent people,” Planet Over Profit said. “This cannot continue.”
In an emailed statement to DailyMail.com, Citibank wrote: “These activist groups have been given numerous opportunities to engage constructively with each other on numerous occasions, but instead they continue to engage in harassment, trespassing and vandalism.
Since its launch on June 10, Summer of Heat has mobilized more than 4,000 people in protests targeting Citibank. More than 475 people have been arrested, including a cello-playing grandfather (pictured) last week, in connection with these protests
“These activist groups have been given repeated opportunities to work together constructively, but instead they continue to engage in acts of intimidation, trespassing and vandalism,” Citibank said in an emailed statement to DailyMail.com
“We are grateful for the assistance of the New York City Police Department in addressing this unacceptable behavior, which damages our property and impedes our colleagues’ access to their workplace.
‘Our position on our work to tackle climate change through our financing is clear and proven by our track record. We work with our clients as they decarbonise their businesses, while also meeting today’s energy needs.
‘We remain committed to supporting the growth of renewable energy and clean technology through our $1 trillion sustainable finance goal. At the same time, we continue to support the transition to a low-carbon economy through our commitment to net zero by 2050. These activities are not mutually exclusive.’
