News / Broadmead
Activists stage sit-in protest at Barclays
A group of young activists has staged a sit-in demonstration at a Barclays branch, calling for a boycott of the bank over its “links to arms sales and investment in fossil fuels”.
The protest was organised by Extinction Rebellion Youth Bristol (XRYB), who entered the Barclays’ branch in Broadmead at around 10 am on Saturday.
The group, consisting of seven activists, engaged with customers to highlight what they see as the bank’s problematic practices, urging them to stop banking with Barclays.
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However, the group was asked to leave the premises and continued their protest outside, handing out leaflets to passers-by and those entering the branch.
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This marks the third time the group has staged a similar demonstration, following protests in October and December of last year. The action by XRYB coincided with a vigil held by Christian Climate Action Bristol (CCA) in protest against the bank, resulting in two simultaneous demonstrations.
XRYB stated that its aim is to raise awareness of Barclays’ track record on fossil fuel investment and involvement in the global arms trade.
One activist said: “Barclays is a major investment bank and currently has over a billion pounds invested in companies whose weapons, components, and military technology have been used in unlawful violence against Palestinians. They are also a significant investor in fossil fuels, meaning they are not only funding the deaths of Palestinian people but also sacrificing the planet’s future for profit.”
The protest was organised by Extinction Rebellion Youth Bristol (XRYB), who entered the Barclays branch in Broadmead at around 10 am on Saturday – photo: XRYB
A Barclays spokesperson said: “We provide vital financial services to US, UK, and European public companies that supply defence products to NATO and its allies. Barclays does not directly invest in these companies. The defence sector is fundamental to our national security, and decisions on the implementation of arms embargoes to other nations are the responsibility of respective elected governments.
“Building a new energy system that provides clean, reliable, and affordable energy won’t happen overnight and will require significant capital. Barclays is on track to meet its target of facilitating $1 trillion of Sustainable and Transition Finance by 2030 and, as of HY24, had mobilised $123.8 billion. Barclays is committed to financing the energy sector through this transition, providing finance to meet current energy needs while also supporting the scaling of clean energy.”
Main photo: Milan Perera
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