Earth Quakers launch new Vanguard protest
'The campaign is also calling on Vanguard customers ‘to move their money as part of a powerful collective effort.'
US Quakers are asking British Friends to join a new campaign against the large asset manager, Vanguard, urging it to end fossil fuel investment in companies that refuse to transition to climate-friendly models.
Eva Gutman, from the Earth Quaker Action Team (EQAT), told the Friend that the new Never Vanguard campaign is ‘a way for anyone to join us by publicly refusing to participate in a business model that we know is causing harm and needs to change’. The campaign is also calling on Vanguard customers ‘to move their money as part of a powerful collective effort. We want our witness to be as effective as possible, and so some people may choose to begin the money-moving process while standing outside a Vanguard office with a sign, explaining to employees why they are taking this action, or by writing an op-ed about why they are moving away from Vanguard. To follow these developments and help us be more impactful together, Friends can join our newsletter, and Vanguard customers in particular are invited to let EQAT know that they are customers.’
Other Quakers have written to the Friend exploring whether it is better to stay customers of the company and attempt to change the policies from within.
EQAT has been working on campaigns aimed at the company with Bristol Climate Choir, XR Money Rebellion, and Britain Yearly Meeting. Last month sixteen protestors were arrested outside the Vanguard headquarters. Eva Gutman said that the arrests were processed at a local prison and the protestors were released later that day. ‘We’re seeing arrestees being charged with two types of misdemeanours and a summary offence: defiant trespass, failure to disperse, and disorderly conduct.’
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