Understory: the Official Blog of RAN

No Coal For Christmas

Blue Ridge Earth First! and Mountain Justice Summer did a little anti-coal caroling at a Bank of America in Charlottesville.

“Activists with Blue Ridge Earth First! (BREF)and VCU SDS (VCU Students for a Democratic Society) gathered at noon Tuesday inside the Bank of America branch on the downtown mall in Charlottesville to tell bank management “Divest from Coal. Invest in Clean Energy.” As carolers sang coal-themed versions of Christmas classics such as I’m Having Nightmares of a Coal Christmas to the tune of I’m Dreaming of A White Christmas, Santa delivered a sack of coal to the bank, checking off the naughtiest corporation on his list. Sa nta later disclosed “It’s Bank of America’s bad habit of funding climate change and destructive coal mining that earned them their lump of coal today.” BREF! encouraged citizens to close their accounts in protest until Bank of America stops investing billions of dollars in companies such as Massey Energy, Arch Coal, and Alpha Natural Resources which practice mountaintop removal. This form of coal mining demolishes mountains for their coal and then dumps the refuse in stream beds, polluting the water. Additionally, coal-fired electric plants, despite claims of “clean” coal, emit green house gasses which contribute to climate change. Meanwhile the bank has made headlines for pledges to support environmentally sustainable business and address global climate change.”

Find out how to do your own holiday actions here.

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2 Responses to “No Coal For Christmas”

  1. jeff Says:

    Good job guys and have a green and happy holiday.

  2. The Understory » Appalachian Struggle Sparks More Than Debate Says:

    [...] No Coal For Christmas [...]

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