One of the best ways we can fight horrible developments like Dakota Access Pipeline, which threatens Indigenous land and contributes to the further destruction of the environment, is by making the funding of such projects unprofitable for the banks that fund them. In other words, it’s time to put our money where our mouths are. That’s why Grassroots Action NY is teaming up with DeFund DAPL and a growing coalition of other groups to help people, companies, and cities bank more responsibly.
Ready to get your money out of the banks behind the DAPL with us? Check out the guide below for tips on how to safely make the switch to a better bank and sign up to divest with us! To follow along with our 3 week divestment program, use the attached checklist and follow @grassrootsactionny on Social Media.
This will prepare you for #DivestmentDay on March 18, 2017 when we are rallying at Union Square in NYC starting at 10am then going to the big banks to close our accounts and tell them that we won’t stand for these unjust practices anymore. Our event will also help put pressure on city officials to follow suit and move city money out of these banks.
NOTE: If you aren’t moving your money or are already banking at one of the “good” banks, we still encourage you to attend the #DivestmentDay rally!
How To Divest Responsibly
Step 1: Figure out if your bank is involved in the DAPL.
If you have your money in one of the 37 banks listed below, you are banking at an institution that funds the Dakota Access Pipeline and other destructive projects.
Step 2: Find a new bank.
View our list of “good” banks, credit unions, and credit cards. We will continue to update it as we find additional banks.This list was compiled using: Defund DAPL, Women’s March, Yes Magazine
Step 3: Open your new account(s).
You’ll want some time to get everything moved over to your awesome new bank or credit union before closing your old accounts. Additionally, you’ll need a place to put the money you take out of your old accounts immediately after you close them. Check the hours of the nearest branch of the bank you’re planning on switching to and make a note in your calendar for the week so you won’t forget to drop by. Leave yourself around an hour for this step.
Step 4: Transition to your new bank.
Move some of your money to your new accounts, leaving some in the old account just Make a list of all of the places where you have your old account information stored. Go through your bank statement to check for payments from your account that you might have forgotten about.
This could include:
- Direct deposits from paychecks, Social Security, unemployment, etc
- Automatic transfers to other accounts
- Auto payments for things like rent, utilities, loans, phone bills, or credit cards
- Websites like Paypal, Amazon, or Netflix
- Apps like Lyft, Venmo, or Seamless.
- Monthly donations to charities
Step 5: Close your accounts.
Join us on March 18 as we go to the banks.
Starting at 10am EST, we will be rallying at Union Square in NYC and traveling around to branches of 5 of the major banks nearby as people withdraw their remaining balance and close their accounts together.
Can’t make it to our #DivestmentDay action? That’s okay! Pick a time that works for you to close your accounts or join us at our next action.
Step 6: Share your action!
Submit a letter to the management explaining that you don’t want to finance an institution that profits from human rights abuses and puts our water at risk. This is an important step as it lets your bank know WHY you left.
Enter your balance on the DeFund DAPL withdrawal tracker so the banks know how much money has been personally divested because of their decisions.
Take a photo of yourself closing your account and post it on social media. Better yet, take a video! And don’t forget to tag #DeFundDAPL and #DivestmentDay. Sharing your personal action is a great motivator to get your network to do the same.
RESOURCES
Flyer – Our Struggles are Connected
Violence on the Land, Violence on Our Bodies Mini-Zine
#DivestmentDay Info Sheet
#Divestment Day Checklist
Divestment Day Zine
Mini Zine Instructions
Banks, Credit Unions, Credit Cards
