[*BCM*] Activists Blockade Bank of America to Protest Funding of Coal

[Boston Fossil Fools Day]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Photos available soon at <www.fossilfoolsday.org>

*Activists Blockade Bank of America to Protest Funding of Coal*


 *Boston, MA* – Copley Square, April 1, 2008. April Fools! As of 9:00AM, in
conjunction with a downtown rally, four activists have locked themselves to
the front entrance of the Bank of America branch in Copley Square. They are
protesting the bank's funding of coal and energy companies who are among the
worst contributors to climate change, and directly responsible for
innumerable human rights abuses in communities where coal is extracted and
burned.


 The April Fools prank took place as part of the Fossil Fools Day of Action,
in coordination with over 100 rallies, protests, and acts of civil
disobedience around the world. These actions are intended to challenge and
disrupt the fossil fuels industry, which scientists say is primarily
responsible for global warming.


 Bank of America has lent over $144 billion to companies like Massey Energy,
Arch Coal, and Peabody Energy, who are infamous for their human rights
violations, strip mining, and mountaintop removal coal mining. The
demonstrators are demanding that Bank of America stop providing funding for
coal companies engaged in all forms of surface mining and cancel all loans
to new fossil fuel burning power plants.


 "Without the financial support of large banks like Bank of America, the
fossil fuels industry could not continue destroying the earth and our
communities," said Elise Ansel, who locked her arms to other activists in
order to prevent the bank from doing business as usual.


 Coal-burning power plants are responsible for 40% of U.S. greenhouse gases
that cause global warming, and are a leading cause of asthma and lung
cancer, causing over 24,000 premature deaths a year. "It's not just an
environmental issue. The people who are most affected by the coal industry
are already disadvantaged by this economic system," said Laila Murad of
Brighton, who also locked down to the bank, "Coal plants are often built in
low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, and the coal is most
often mined in poor areas and on indigenous land. Coal mining is just
another chapter in a long and bloody story of colonialism and injustice."

 The Fossil Fools Day of Action was called for by Rising Tide North America,
Rainforest Action Network, and the Energy Action Coalition. More information
on the actions taking place around the world is available at <
www.fossilfoolsday.org>.


 Boston Fossil Fools Day Media Contact:

Colleen Cronin

781-308-2458 / *bostonfossilfools at gmail.com*


 National Fossil Fools Day Media Contact:

Monica Vaughan, Rising Tide North America

541-521-1832 / *fossilfools at risingtidenorthamerica.org*


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