Around 50 climate activists representing Climate Action Rhode Island, the Jewish Youth Climate Movement of Rhode Island, and the Green Team of the Peace Dale Congregational Church marched down Thayer Street in Providence on Saturday to raise public awareness about:

• The world-leading role Chase Bank plays in bankrolling (and perpetuating) the fossil fuel industry;
• Chase Bank’s dishonesty in its climate and other business dealings (see below for Chase Bank’s “rap sheet”); and,
• To express solidarity with the people of Pakistan in the aftermath of a historic heat wave followed by historic flooding, both exacerbated by climate change. Florida, Puerto Rico, Zimbabwe, Australia, and the western United States are a few of the other recent deadly disasters attributable to global warming.

Here’s video of the march:

Pakistan has suffered the brunt of global warming perhaps more than any other country so far, say organizers. Due to an unprecedented monsoon season and a melting glacier both fueled by global warming, one-third of the nation was underwater, with 1,700 people dead (639 of them children), eight million people displaced, 1.7 million homes damaged or destroyed, and the nation’s agriculture devastated.

“Chase Bank and CEO Jamie Dimon must be held accountable for their activities over the last 10 years which have led to well over $20 billion in fines and settlements, and for its vast funding of the fossil fuels which the world’s scientific community says must be quickly phased out to avoid a dramatic increase in global chaos and suffering”, said Brian Wilder of Climate Action Rhode Island. “Anyone who pays well over $20 billion in criminal and settlement fines in just 10 years through December 2021 has a lot to hide and a lot to answer for. We aim to use public exposure to accelerate their move away from illegal activities and fossil fuel funding.”

Once the march arrived outside Chase Bank at 291 Thayer Street activists organized a speaking program.

• Justin Boyan, President of Climate Action Rhode Island
• Rep. David Morales (Democrat, District 7, Providence)
• Daniel Vilker from the Jewish Youth Climate Movement of Rhode Island
• Caitlin Sanford Climate Action Rhode Island’s Treasurer
• Sen. Cynthia Mendes (Democrat, District 18, East Providence)
• Diane Hill, Climate Action Rhode Island activist and social worker
• Brian Wilder, Climate Action Rhode Island organizer
• Rev. Donnie Anderson
• Justin Boyan

Similar protests are happening throughout the United States coordinated by the national Stop the Money Pipeline (STMP) coalition.

• Climate Action Rhode Island is a 3,000-member affiliate of several national climate action coalitions engaging in a nationwide movement fighting for 100% renewable energy, a clean and sustainable earth, and environmental justice for all.
• Jewish Youth Climate Movement of Rhode Island is coordinated by Daniel Vilker, a student at East Greenwich High School.
• Green Team of the Peace Dale Congregational Church is comprised of individuals concerned about the environment, and they just celebrated converting their church compound entirely to solar power.

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JPMorgan Chase’s “Rap Sheet” (partial list)
In the last ten years, JP Morgan Chase paid well over $20 billion in settlement and criminal fines.