Divest Now from Banks Financing the DAPL!
[Updated 9/7/17]
From the coalition statement 12/8/2016 by the following Native American organizations: Sacred Stone Camp | Indigenous Environmental Network | International Indigenous Youth Council | Honor the Earth "We have come together across the lines that divide us, and gathered in solidarity to demand an end to 500 years of oppression of Indigenous peoples - to demand respect for Mother Earth and clean water for all our relatives and future generations. We absolutely cannot let this transition break us apart. We must stay together, we must keep building momentum. As warriors, we must be flexible and agile. We must adapt to shifting circumstances without pause. "We ask you to join us in an unprecedented divestment campaign to kill the black snake financially. ...Let us use this time to cut off funding for the project. ...The 17 banks that are profiting off investments in the Dakota Access pipeline...Shut these banks down with direct action. Close your accounts and tell the world you’re doing it. Pressure your local jurisdictions and philanthropists to divest. Every day is a day of action. This fight is not over, not even close. In fact, this fight is escalating. The incoming Trump administration promises to be a friend to the oil industry and an enemy to Indigenous people. ...Now more than ever, we ask that you stand with us as we continue to demand justice." |
Our Divestment Team
In March 2017, we started a divestment team. We focus on personal and institutional divestment from the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) and other fossil fuel investments to break the stranglehold the fossil fuel industry has on our democracy and our environment. Institutional divestment requires a public bank. So we work closely with the Public Bank Santa Rosa work group. We meet on the same day to facilitate working together. Click for more information. Defund DAPL DeFund DAPL has a great website with advice about defunding the Dakota Access Pipeline (personal and institutional divestment): 4 Easy Steps to Defund DAPL Watch the video on the home page. December 24, 2016 - Nation of Change 7 things the Defund DAPL campaign has achieved so far (including $28 million in personal accounts moved) By Ari Paul How Dirty Is Your Bank? Is your money being used to fund climate change? Select your bank on the BankOnGood.com site and see how the major banks are using your money to invest in the dirtiest fossil fuel projects on earth. NOTE: when you click on one of the banks, the dollar amounts at the top and lower down take a minute or two to update. Check out BankTrack as well: "The mission of BankTrack is to promote fundamental changes in the operations of banks so that, while conducting their business in a fully transparent and accountable manner, they contribute to the ecological wellbeing of the planet and to offering a decent life free of poverty for all people." Articles about Divesting from the DAPL September 9, 2016 - Democracy Now! Who Is Funding the Dakota Access Pipeline? Bank of America, HSBC, UBS, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo September 6, 2016 - Food & Water Watch Who's Banking on the Dakota Access Pipeline? October 26, 2016 - North Bay Bohemian The Spigot: Bay Area investment fuels America's fracking boom—and pipeline protests by Will Parrish How to Contact the Banks Funding the Dakota Access Pipeline September 29, 2016 (updated November 30, 2016) - YES! Magazine How to Contact the 17 Banks Funding the Dakota Access Pipeline Download a list of Banks and Contact Info Here’s a script you can use when you call each of the banks financing the DAPL: “As a customer of [bank name] I was upset to learn that you are financially invested in the Dakota Access Pipeline, which threatens the water and livelihood of the Standing Rock Sioux and the thousands of people who live along the Missouri River. I’m calling to ask that you withdraw your financial support of and stake in the project immediately.” We have sample divestment letters on the Petitions & Letters page you can use. Where to Move Your Money & Credit Cards TO December 1, 2016 - YES! Magazine Is Your Bank Funding DAPL? Here’s How to Find One That Isn’t There’s an entire industry of ethically minded banks and financial institutions out there to choose from. This article recommends BankLocal.info to check out and compare banks. Green America: Take Charge of Your Card Over a dozen affinity credit cards that benefit non-profit organizations such as Sierra Club, Amazon Watch, the League of Conservation, Green America, Clean Water Action and many more - recommended by Green America. Most of these affinity credit cards are with Beneficial State Bank, a socially responsible bank, founded by "inconvenient billionaire" Tom Steyer and wife Kat Taylor. April 1, 2012 - Sonoma County Gazette It Matters Where You Bank by David R. Williams Though this article is a few years out of date, it lists local banks in Sonoma County. We are talking to the Gazette to ask them to update the article. Socially Responsible Investments There are many financial advisors who when asked about fossil free investments and socially responsible investments in general will give it a nod, but most do not seriously help investors to move their money. For example, huge investment firms such as Fidelity Investments which handles many retirement funds, offers little or no option for fossil free investment. Sierra Club recommends Aspiration for sustainable, green investments. Andy Schexnaydre is a socially and environmentally responsible investment advisor as well as Dale Wannen of Sustainvest. Both have been recommended to us. |