Press release from Democratic Socialists of America:
WHAT
Members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are rallying outside Bank of America in North Asheville to demand they divest from the Mountain Valley Pipeline. In an effort led by the New River Valley DSA chapter of Virginia, an area directly affected by the path of the pipeline, the Asheville chapter of DSA is standing in solidarity with other rallies planned in Blacksburg, Virginia Beach, and Charlottesville, Virginia to pressure Bank of America and Wells Fargo to withdraw their investment in the pipeline.
WHO
Asheville DSA is the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, the largest left organization in the United States, with more than 95,000 dues-paying members. Asheville DSA seeks to empower working people and marginalized groups and build a more equitable society for all of us.
Asheville DSA will be joined at this event by UNC Asheville Divest and UNCA Sunrise Movement.
WHERE
In front of Bank of America, 892 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804 (in coordination with same-day actions in Blacksburg, Roanoke, and Charlottesville.)
WHEN
Saturday, March 13th 2021, 10:00am to 11:30am.
WHY
The Mountain Valley Pipeline has been deeply unpopular in the areas it passes through on its 300 mile path across West Virginia and Virginia. The pipeline would expand infrastructure for natural gas produced through fracking, contributing to carbon emissions at a time when communities and governments around the world are urgently trying to reduce them to slow climate change. The proposed extension to the pipeline, called the “Southgate,” which would track another 75-miles into North Carolina, had a key water permit application denied by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) last August.
The two banks targeted by the DSA and their coalition partners are among the largest financial backers of the pipeline according to research by Oil Change International.
The protesters will be distributing flyers with information on the pipeline as well as directions for how to close accounts and transfer money.
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