Newark Area Faith Leaders To Chase, Wells Fargo: ‘Move Your Dough’

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A coalition of Essex County faith leaders plan to gather outside two banks in Newark on Thursday to demand that Chase and Wells Fargo “end their investments in fossil fuels” and reinvest the money in clean energy and green jobs.

According to a news release from organizers, the “Freedom from Fossil Fuels Multi-faith Action” will take place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at 550 Broad Street.

Organizers released the following statement about Thursday’s actions, which are being done in solidarity with others nationwide:

“During Earth Week, Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faith leaders from greater Newark will be leading a public action to demand that Chase Bank and Wells Fargo end their investments in fossil fuels and invest in clean energy and green jobs. As our communities celebrate Passover, Ramadan and Easter, we will act in partnership with over twenty similar efforts around the country supported by Greenfaith and Dayenu. This event, co-sponsored by the Newark Green Team, brings people of faith together with local climate justice advocates who are calling for an end to polluting facilities in Newark and investment in local climate solutions that generate green jobs, especially for Black, Brown and low-income communities.”

Organizers continued:

“Faith leaders from Bnai Keshet, Masjid Muhammad Social Services, Bethany Baptist Church and local advocates will assemble in front of the Chase and Wells Fargo branches at 550 Broad Street in downtown Newark. Participants will enter branches to sing, pray, deliver letters to the CEOs, and share personal testimony about the impact of the climate crisis. These representatives of our various communities, too often kept apart by segregation and economic inequality, are collectively demanding that Chase and Wells Fargo take responsibility, end their polluting investments, and scale up investment in a just, livable future for all.”

“Here in Newark and Essex County, we know it is unacceptable that banks make money in our communities while investing in ways that endanger our children with worsening heatwaves, floods, storms, and air pollution,” said Elliott Tepperman, senior rabbi at Bnai Keshet in Montclair.

• See related article: NJ 'Rocking Chair Rebels' Arrested At Climate Change Protest
• See related article: PSEG To Sell $2 Billion 'Fossil Generating Portfolio'
• See related article: Rutgers To Divest University Endowment From Fossil Fuels

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