Early on the morning of August 26, Rabbi Jennie Rosenn joined dozens of faith leaders at Citi Plaza to bring moral might to the fight to move money out of fossil fuels and into clean energy. As the 2024 Summer of Heat on Wall Street draws to a close, people are still gathering at the entrance to the building, risking arrest and raising their voices in song and prayer.
Over the past two years, Dayenu has brought All Our Might to end the era of fossil fuels, calling on banks and investors to stop funding climate destruction.
Remarks by Rabbi Jennie Rosenn – Summer of Heat Faith Action August 26, 2024
We are here as people of faith
People who believe that every human being
is created in the image of God.
And every human being
deserves to have clean air to breathe
and water to drink,
healthy food to eat
and safe homes to live in
This is a human right –
no matter our zipcode or our race.
We stand here this morning
with grief in our hearts
and anxiety in our veins.
We stand here this morning
all too aware
that we are on a runaway train of climate devastation.
The impacts of the climate crisis
are being felt right now.
Here in our city,
across our nation,
and throughout the world.
And who is driving this runaway train of climate destruction?
Who is the engineer,
the conductor
and the business making the money
while our world burns?
It is the fossil fuel industry.
Yes, the fossil fuel industry,
And who is keeping the fossil fuel industry alive?
Banks.
Yes, Banks like Citibank.
Citibank is the largest funder of new coal, oil and gas
since the Paris Climate Accords.
Citibank has poured nearly $400 billion into fossil fuels.
Citibank is quite literally bankrolling the fossil fuel industry.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
We are here as people of faith
calling on Citibank
to stop funding the fossil fuels
that are devastating our communities
and driving the runaway train of climate change.
There is another way.
We are calling on you
the leaders of Citibank
to act in accordance with your highest values
To put people before profit.
And ensure the future of your children and grandchildren.
We have a vision for our world
As it could be
As it must be
Where every human being and community can flourish.
And we believe fiercely
in our collective power
to bring about that world.
So we will keep showing up
And keep putting our bodies on the line
Until Citibank does the right thing,
The moral thing,
The common sense thing,
The only thing
that will stop the runaway train of climate destruction.
We look toward the future
To the bright and just world we are building
Where all people can thrive
And live full and healthy lives
For generations to come
Worthy of who they are –
Beings created in the image of God.
Since no amplification is allowed outside Citibank headquarters, this was delivered via the People’s Mic — all lines were repeated by the crowd.
Photos from the action August 26
Photos: Katie Godowski
