Swiss police removed climate activists Monday morning who were protesting in Zurich’s financial quarters against banks funding fossil fuel deals.
Videos show dozens of activists who had placed themselves at the entrances of Credit Suisse and UBS in Paradeplatz square, the heart of Zurich’s financial centre, barring people from entering. They were protesting the funding of fossil fuel activities which they called “climate-damaging machinations”
The Swiss police force took away the activists when they refused to leave their positions.
“Credit Suisse and UBS have so far done anything but respond adequately to the climate crisis. That is why the climate justice movement is occupying the Credit Suisse headquarters and the nearby UBS office today to draw attention to the consequences of the Swiss financial institutions’ inaction,” spokeswoman for the Rise up for Change group, Frida Kohlmann, said in a statement.
“We are demanding that Swiss financial institutions switch to a socially and climate-friendly course”, Kohlmann added.
Climate activists had staged a fake performance in front of Credit Suisse’s offices last week, pretending to be spokespeople for the Swiss company and declaring that the bank’s lending to fossil fuel projects was done.