An Isle of Wight climate campaigner drew the attention of shoppers and drivers on Saturday morning in Newport as she performed a five-minute direct action outside Barclays Bank.
On the 51st anniversary of the death of Jimi Hendrix, with his track ‘House Burning Down’ blaring out, Julie Hutchinson smashed her cardboard Fender Stratocaster against the wall of Barclays Bank.
Fake oil and mini oil rigs
The town councillor from Ventnor had placed balloons filled with fake oil inside the guitar, so as it hit the building – who the campaigner says has invested £145 billion in fossil fuels – the fake oil splattered across the white wall, providing a dramatic visual backdrop.
To protect photographers documenting the event, model oil rigs were placed in the road to stop the traffic for a few minutes as Julie performed the action, and read out her message about those investing in fossil fuels.
“Music, the Arts and the People say ‘No More”
Julie said,
“We now stand at a crossroads in time. This crossroads must represent our history. We stand at the crossroads of financial businesses that are accelerating the effects of catastrophic global fire, by investing in the Fossil Fuels Industry and destroying nature.
“I am here today to say that Music, the Arts and the People say ‘No More’.”
Official payment sponsor for the Festival
With the Isle of Wight Festival taking place the other side of town, Julie continued,
“Since the Paris agreement in 2015, fossil banks have invested $3.7 trillion. Many of these investments are in the Global South, and these are the people, who are feeling the effects already.
“Barclaycard are the official payment sponsor for the Isle of Wight Festival.”
“The threat of drilling is on our doorstep”
Noting the UKOG plans for oil exploration on the Isle of Wight, Julie added,
“The beautiful Isle of Wight is currently under threat of oil exploration right now.
“The threat of drilling is on our doorstep.”
“The banks are greenwashing the public”
Going on to highlight investments in fossil fuels, Julie added
“Events and sports are awash with constant sponsorship from fossil banks. Football, tennis… it’s all advertising for them.
“Many people are unaware of some of the investments these banks are making.
“I believe the banks are greenwashing the public and that’s got to stop. I’m a town councillor, and I feel it is my role to help prepare my town for what lays ahead of all of us.
“How can I do this effectively when the banks have their feet on the gas?”
House burning down
Julie suggested that those looking on check out the lyrics to the Hendrix song she’d just had playing,
“Today marks 51 years since Jimi Hendrix died, his track ‘House burning down’ is very apt, do check out the lyrics.”
“Not comfortable deliver the truth”
Julie finished by thanking the drivers, who were kept waiting just a few minutes, for their patience,
“Thank you to the drivers who have waited patiently today.
“It’s not comfortable to be the people who have to deliver the truth, but the future on our current path is a damn site worse.”
Julie told News OnTheWight that the ‘fake oil’ was washed off the walls of the bank afterwards, and although a Police car had its blue lights and siren on when approaching, it passed by not stopping.
You can follow the Ventnor branch of Extinction Rebellion via their Twitter account.
Images: Copyright Emily Venables
