News / protest
Protesters gather outside office building in Clifton Village
Protesters have climbed onto the roof of the entrance lobby of a nondescript office building in which is based the Bristol headquarters of an insurance company with links to the fossil fuel industry.
The direct action against Tokio Marine is being carried out by members of both Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil.
Protesters plan to return to Regent Street in Clifton Village on Saturday, with around a dozen protesters outside the office’s front door on Friday serenaded by drummers on the other side of the road.
is needed now More than ever
Just Stop Oil spokesperson, Matt Cooper, said: “If Tokio Marine continue to insure fossil fuel projects, it is young people around the world who will be affected most. Their future is at risk.”
XR Bath’s Dave Searby added: “We imagine that the insurance industry’s role is to help us reduce risk, but if companies like Tokio Marine carry on underwriting these carbon bomb projects, this will have the effect of massively increasing the risks of floods, famine, drought and species loss from climate breakdown.”
Protesters climbed onto the roof of the entrance lobby early on Friday morning – photo: XR / Just Stop Oil
Campaigners claim that Tokio Marine insures Brazilian offshore oil projects which threaten coastal ecosystems and communities, and coal power plant projects across Asia.
It operates in 45 countries and in 2022 collected an estimated $475m in premiums from fossil fuel companies.
The peaceful protest on Friday and Saturday is demanding that Tokio Marine the company stops insuring new coal, oil and gas projects “that are driving disastrous global overheating”.
Main photo: Martin Booth
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