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RBS round-up - 23 actions and counting!

RBS round-up - 23 actions and counting! | 15.10.2007 16:20 | Climate Camp 2007 | Climate Chaos | Ecology | Globalisation

From Edinburgh to Cornwall, blockades to invisible theatre, RBS has felt the sting today. As of 5PM on Monday, we've heard of 23 actions so far with more expected to still come in. Read on, check back soon, and let us know if you've done something in your area! And a huge well done to all involved.



Edinburgh RBS HQ: Campaigners from Edinburgh University People and Planet group held a demonstration outside the RBS national headquarters on St. Andrew’s Street, giving out information to customers, holding banners and placards, and waving oil covered hands. Photos and full report:  http://scotland.indymedia.org/newswire/display/4654/index.php

Also in Edinburgh: The locks of the main entrances to at least six Edinburgh RBS branches were glued shut last night, and all of them had to have the locks replaced today.

London RBS HQ: a dozen activists from London Rising Tide held a protest outside the RBS headquarters on Bishopsgate. Despite a heavy police presence, one activist managed to clamber on the glass canopy of the building to unfurl a banner reading ‘RBS: The Oil Bank of Scotland’. On the ground, polar bears held a die-in and others handed out more than 900 leaflets. The climber has now been arrested.
Photos and full report:  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/10/383668.html

London pranks: ‘This Company is Out of Order’ signs left on 15 RBS and Natwest cash machines in central London. Pranksters do invisible theatre in branches, trying to open accounts, having arguments about RBS’ unethical policies in the queues, and leaving piles of anti-RBS leaflets amongst their corporate propaganda. They then go underground for some ‘Tube Education’, leafleting and talking to Tube passengers.

Bristol Polar Bear Refugee lock-on: Six people from Bristol Rising Tide for Climate Action dressed as homeless polar bears locked themselves together (arms encased in concrete inside suitcases to symbolise displacement due to climate change) to prevent vehicles from entering the RBS corporate office at Temple Quay where over 500 RBS staff work. The blockade lasted over four hours, with police using dodgy tactics to remove the protesters.
Photos and full report:  http://bristol.indymedia.org/newswire.php?story_id=26933

Manchester demo at RBS regional HQ: Activists from Manchester Climate Action gathered at the RBS regional HQ on Deansgate Street. Banners were displayed reading: 'Climate Change: RBS Makes It Happen' and 'No Pipeline! Green Energy Not Gas'. Protesters were greeted by 3 Tactical Aid Unit Vans and security guards, but despite police attempts to stop noise under the public order act, the samba band played and flyers were given out to workers, customers and passers by. Photos and full report:
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/10/383681.html

Norwich demo and door locks: Overnight, the RBS branch on Queen Street and the RBS-Natwest Technology group office on Exchange Street were locked shut. The Queen Street branch was prevented from opening for business for an hour and a half this morning, as locksmiths attempted to remove the lock and activists leafleted the waiting staff, customers and passers-by.
Photos and full report:  https://publish.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/10/383708.html

Sheffield demo and invisible theatre: A group of activists held a demonstration outside an RBS branch in Broomhill, Sheffield. Later on in the day, a couple staged a through-gritted-teeth domestic argument while queuing in a branch in Church Street over whether they should be using a bank that invests in climate-destroying projects. When they got to the cashier, the man, a long-standing RBS customer of over 20 years, actually closed his RBS account, explaining his reasons to the cashier and asking to see the manager – which was apparently good enough reason for the cashier to press the emergency bell and the police to be summoned!
Full report:  https://publish.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/10/383696.html

Truro demo at RBS branch: Twelve activists from across Cornwall gathered at the RBS branch in Truro for a two-hour demo with a friendly atmosphere and good response from passers-by. They handed out leaflets and slices of cake from a clock-shaped ‘11th hour’ cake, and made new connections that built the foundations of a climate action group for Cornwall.

Cambridge demo at RBS branch: Eight people held a demo outside the RBS branch on Trinity Street. Lots of police and FIT, at one point one per protestor! The bank was so nervous they kept the doors locked, letting customers in and locking the doors behind them.
Photos and full report:  https://publish.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/10/383700.html

Oxford demo and pipeline theatre: RBS and NatWest branches visited by activists bearing banners and wearing oil-spattered T-Shirts declaring "RBS Group - Funding Climate Change" and "Dirty Bankers - Shafting The Planet”. Activists also entered both branches with a large oil pipeline, explaining to customers and staff that they were delivering it to the branch, but couldn't leave until they'd spoken to Head Office. They cheerfully (and loudly) reminisced with staff and customers about all the other pipelines and fossil fuel projects the bank was funding, and how much climate change they were causing.
Full report:  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/10/383695.html

Birmingham Uni flood campus NatWest: Over thirty students from Birmingham People and Planet descended upon the Natwest branch on campus. Some were dressed in boiler suits and carried oil pipelines. Others, dressed as bankers and impersonating members of the RBS Oil and Gas Team gave a highly sarcastic presentation extolling the virtues of RBS’ oil and gas investments. Oil pipes and boiler suits. Dressed as bankers. Went in and gave mock presentation, impersonated oil and gas team. Extolled virtues of RBS. 20 minutes. Did presentation again a few more times on campus. 30 people. Couldn’t all fit in. Birmingham People and Planet.

Glasgow Treacle Tart Cabaret: After a half hour discussion with the central Glasgow RBS branch manager in which they expressed their anger about RBS’ investment in oil and gas, two intrepid activists left the branch, only to make a quick costume change and return as the hosts of the Treacle Tart Cabaret. They sang, danced, waved banners and placards, got up on the cashiers’ desks and strutted their stuff, and even performed an Oil Rap. At this point the bank decided to lock its doors, locking the Tarts in and customers out, and effectively shutting the bank down for an hour. Inside the atmosphere was positive, with the locked-in staff and customers getting into the swing of things. One of the Tarts capped off the performance by cutting up her RBS debit card as a magic trick.

Actions are also planned today for Aberdeen, Plymouth, Kendal and more – check back soon for updates!

And email  info@risingtide.org.uk if we've got anything wrong above and we'll fix it for future use.

RBS round-up - 23 actions and counting!
- e-mail: info@risingtide.org.uk
- Homepage: http://www.risingtide.org.uk

Additions

Aberystwyth Action

15.10.2007 16:40

Around a dozen climate change refugees queued outside Nat West Bank in Aberystwyth today, Monday 15th October, to beg a ‘bank official’ for a home loan because climate change was destroying their current home. The refugees ranged from an Aussie through a Greenlander to an Artic Cod. As the refugees were interviewed, volunteers handed out fliers on Royal Bank of Scotland , Nat West and their investment in projects linked to climate change. Meanwhile, RBS and Nat West ATMs all mysteriously displayed signs reading ‘OUT OF ORDER’ in large letters. On close inspection with a magnifying glass, the very small print read ‘RBS and Nat West investment policy’. The possible effects of climate change on a number of countries were mapped on the pavement with chalk – disturbing before and after snapshots. As the refugees were all turned down for home loans, they carried a protest banner into the bank. Unfortunately, being weakened by loosing their homes, the refugees dropped the banner and, being weighted down with helium balloons, it drifted up and displayed itself from the ceiling for a good half an hour before staff managed to get it down.

Aber-ista


Cardiff Action

15.10.2007 16:53

The main cardiff branch RBS on st Mary's Street was closed 3 hours after 20 activists entered the building causing distruption. Hundreds of leaflets were handed out and banners displayed outside. The process was repeated at Natwest afterwards.

Lots of Police were in attendance including intelligence gatherers. Photos to follow.

Cardiff Anarchist
mail e-mail: cardiffanarchists@riseup.net
- Homepage: http://southwalesanarchists.org


Photos from Aberytwyth RBS / Gnatwest Action

15.10.2007 18:04





Pictures from the aforementioned action outside Gnatwest, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion.

Sgt Sideshow


Don’t Bank On Oil In Bath

15.10.2007 21:01

As part of today’s national day of action against the Royal Bank of Scotland, 7 activists from Bath Activist Network picketed the RBS branch on Quiet Street in Bath, for two hours over lunch time. Banner on display, customers and passers-by were leafleted with mock-up imitation RBS literature and invitations to ‘Open an oil rig today!’, informing the public about the Terms and Consequences of banking with RBS, their dodgy investment record in fossil fuel extraction and aviation industries, and the 160,000 estimated global deaths a year due to the effects of climate change. Whilst staff and police complained about the seemingly out-of-order ATM outside their door, we listened to stories of customers’ poor treatment by their bank, and also helped at least the one student find more ethical options for his new account. Also bemusing were the members of public who mistook the business-suited activists for bank employees, and chatted about the service.

Matt Banning
mail e-mail: bathactivistnet@yahoo.co.uk
- Homepage: http://myspace.com/bathactivistnetwork


Bradford students leaflet campus Natwest

15.10.2007 22:13

Students from the university of Bradford People & Planet group leafleted at the Natwest branch on campus. That's all the details I know, hopefully more details to follow.

bradford local


AdamP&P

15.10.2007 23:29

St Andrews Uni P&P also did some protest performance art - 'attempting' to open accounts in the town, etc.

Adam Ramsay
mail e-mail: adamramsay@googlemail.com


edinburgh

16.10.2007 04:00

2 branches in edinburgh were given 'pollution awards' - along with various other posters about RBS policy. unfortunatly the police drove by while one branch was just being finished off, and took the still wet posters off. :( - next time...

Will


Comments

Hide the following 5 comments

The REAL Action At Cardiff RBS

15.10.2007 19:26

C'mon guys lets face it.
The branch was only closed for 1 hour...not 3.
We didn't cause disruption inside the branch..we had a complimentary cup of coffee.
We didn't give out hundreds of leaflets..because we only took a handfull and ran out.
One of us lost an arguement with an old lady who said we were talking bollocks.

Marks out of 10?

3. Must try better, please see me after class.

Brett Ayers
mail e-mail: anarchyukrevolution@yahoo.co.uk


Ooooooops.

15.10.2007 21:01

In all the excitement of today, I seem to nhave neglected to resize. Sorry. Any suggestion as to how I might correct my mistake? (No obscentities please.)

Sgt Sideshow
mail e-mail: bobmaycock@yahoo.com


to Brett

15.10.2007 22:55

I wasn't there today, but I printed 600 flyers for Cardiff action and I know they were all taken straight there.

I don't know, but I have a feeling your a troll spouting shite.

Did you see everyone after class at the C.A.N. meeting this evening?

Pam Ayres
- Homepage: http://anarchol.wordpress.com


Reply to brett - c'm off it!!

16.10.2007 13:11

brett??

where you the guy in the uniform with the glasses making sure no one got in after the bank was closed?

dont remember anyone on the action i don't know... mmmm

also, why so negative? The action wouldn’t win any awards i grant you but there were plenty of positive things to focus on...

the bank was most definitely closed for way over 1 hour, 3 seems right to me. we gave out all 600 leaflets. we had loads of positive discussions with passers by, who found what we had to say about rbs-natwests involvement in investing in environmentally destructive projects such as wales' deadly lng pipeline, very informative. Only remember a few obnoxious people and they were all rbs customers…

come along to the next c.a.n meeting so we can meet...

one of cardiff anarchists


Round-up final count - 32 actions!

18.10.2007 11:39

More protests, pranks and propagandising have been reported since Monday:

A group held a musical demo outside the RBS branch in Plymouth, a travelling bard treated passengers and staff on the RBS-sponsored Heathrow Express train from Paddington to a song and a gentle rant, Reading Rising Tide held a demo at the Reading RBS branch, a group of 5 held a demo in Leamington, cash-points were stickered with anti-RBS stickers in Leicester and leaflets were stuck on lampposts in Altrincham!

Plus the text of the press release that was sent out on Monday:

Royal Bank of Scotland besieged by nationwide climate protests

15 October 2007
For immediate release

Today, over 100 climate change activists targeted Royal Bank of Scotland branches, offices and headquarters around the country in protest at the company’s massive investment in the oil and gas industries.

Demonstrations took place at the RBS headquarters in Edinburgh, London and Manchester, and at branches in Norwich, Sheffield and Truro.

In Bristol, activists blockaded the entrance to the RBS corporate office at Temple Quay using lock-on devices.

Branches were locked shut overnight in Norwich and Edinburgh, delaying the start of the business day. Signs reading ‘This Company is Out of Order’ were placed on fifteen cash machines in central London.

The demonstrations were part of a national day of action called by the UK Rising Tide network (1), as a follow-up to August’s Camp for Climate Action at Heathrow (2).

‘Today’s protests have been hugely successful. Together, we have shown RBS that their role in financing climate change is now in the public spotlight. In cities and towns around the country, we have made sure that RBS customers, staff and the public know that RBS, more than any other bank, is providing the financial fuel driving climate change’, said Nathan Lewis, an activist from Sheffield.

RBS calls itself the ‘Oil and Gas Bank’, and is the primary UK funder of fossil fuel extraction. The thirty oil and gas finance deals RBS signed between 2001 and 2006 will create 655 million tonnes of carbon emissions over the next 15 years, which is more than the UK’s entire annual emissions. (3)

‘Banks like RBS who profit handsomely from climate-destroying projects have stood in the shadows for too long, but they are as guilty as the oil companies. If carbon dioxide molecules had corporate tags of responsibility, the atmosphere would be full of RBS logos mingling with those of BP, Exxon and Shell’, said Rebecca Keith, from Norwich.

Reports are still coming in of protests taking place around the country, and more demonstrations are expected later in the day. Please call or email for the latest updates.

ENDS

National contact for interviews: 07961 917 535,  info@risingtide.org.uk
Local contact numbers are also available in some areas.
www.risingtide.org.uk

1. Rising Tide is a grassroots network that takes creative direct action against the root causes of climate change. www.risingtide.org.uk

2. The Camp for Climate Action took place from 14-12 August 2007 near Heathrow Airport. www.climatecamp.org.uk

3. Source: ‘The Oil and Gas Bank: RBS and the financing of climate change’, Platform/Friends of the Earth/Bank Track/People and Planet/New Economics Foundation, 2007. www.peopleandplanet.org/dl/ddd/rbs_report.pdf



Rising Tide
mail e-mail: info@risingtide.org.uk
- Homepage: http://www.risingtide.org.uk