Elders 4 Climate Sanity protest poster Credit: Elders 4 Climate Sanity
The message is simple, “The five largest Canadian banks loan billions of dollars to fossil fuel industries. RBC is the worst offender in the world. These banks loan their clients’ money to an industry whose products are destroying the very source that makes possible the livelihood of all living creatures: the Earth.” – Elders 4 Climate Sanity (E4CS)
Don Brown (98 years), Sue Markey, Rose Janson (78 years), and Gail Lorimer are E4CS and they have been taking their message to the street for the past three years.
Today on Small Change, I’m very excited to speak with Brown and Markey about the group’s recent sit-in at the RBC bank in Dundas, Ontario that resulted in the four members being arrested and charged.
E4CS can often be found at the intersection of King Street West and Sydenham Street in Dundas, because there’s a bank on every corner – RBC, TD, CIBC and BMO. Scotiabank also has a nearby location that the anti-greenwashing activists frequent.
E4CS held a climate rally at their favourite intersection on March 22, 2024 which they called, ‘RBC Stop Destroying Earth.’ Just before noon Brown, Markey, Janson, and Lorimer entered the RBC branch and asked to speak with the manager.
The manager promptly came out to tell the peaceful protesters that they needed to leave or he would call the police. Instead, the climate actionists staged a sit-in while their spokesperson read their list of demands to an uninterested manager:
STOP investing in fossil fuels. Invest in renewable energy instead.
STOP greenwashing and using terms such as clean, green and sustainable.
STOP violating Indigenous rights including the Wet’suet’en in Northern B.C, who struggle to protect their land and water from TC Energy’s Coastal GasLink pipeline financed by RBC.
STOP investing in weapons manufacturers whose products are being used in the Palestinian genocide.
In a word, RBC: STOP DESTROYING EARTH.
The elders used their time wisely strategically placing stickers on windows and furniture. Those stickers stated RBC invests $42 billion (2022) annually in new coal, oil and gas projects yet only one per cent in renewable energy and that RBC has invested in Russian gas companies. That’s when the manager told staff to call 911 – again.
The four remained steadfast continuing to explain that they wanted their grandchildren and great grandchildren to have a future on planet Earth. They also explained that they were not judging, nor criticizing, the staff. They were there to educate and to find a way to get their message to RBC executives, David McKay, Group Head, Personal and Commercial Banking and John Stackhouse, Senior VP, Office of the CEO.
As the four climate crisis disruptors stood near the entrance interacting with folks entering the bank, the manager moved closer and repeatedly shouted, “You assaulted me!” “You punched me!”
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Editor’s note: Really RBC bank manager, William (Cris) Osborne? Did four elders handing out material to customers really assault you? Sounds more like gaslighting and intimidation on your part, because what you did is a well-known manoeuvre employed by abusive men to have the ‘target of their abuse’ arrested.
And, how well would those allegations of abuse actually hold up in court? Particularly when not a single staff member or customer rushed to your aid to save you from the ‘assault.’
Oh, but, wait! Those handy bank cameras must have caught the alleged assault? NO? Hmmm . . .
No worries, I’m sure you showed your wounds and bruises to the police officers who attended as well as your family doctor? You at least took pictures, right? Thought not.
Bravo on your acting debut, Osborne – perhaps that could be your next career.
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Two police officers eventually arrived and told the four E4CS that they could either leave or be arrested. It does seem odd though, that the officers asked who had put the them ‘up to this?’ The police also took the time to explain that there were far worse crimes being committed at the time throughout the city.
I would argue, the RBC manager calling 911 multiple times over a peaceful sit-in should be right up there on that list of crimes. Especially, when it resulted in six officers in five patrol cars eventually attending.
I do hope E4CS request a copy of all of the 911 calls made during the sit-in because I really have this deep down feeling that once the CDs are played for the court the judge may make a statement along the lines of, “Well, I have to say, the person(s) placing the 911 calls sounded very calm, lucid and in complete control of their faculties. Not at all like someone under duress who feels threatened or at risk of harm. The caller(s) got the address for the bank branch right even though most 911 callers are so upset, they can’t even remember their own name. In fact, the caller’s tone is reminiscent of someone methodically reading the instructions for putting together a piece of Ikea furniture.” Just saying . . . . .
Another four officers did eventually show up and the arrests followed. Brown who uses a cane and Janson who uses a walker were not handcuffed. However, Markey and Lorimer were handcuffed behind their backs before being escorted from the bank and placed into patrol cars.
I want to note that if you ‘co-operate’ with officers they will generally handcuff you in front – sort of a way to cut you some slack for good behaviour. So, what terrible things did Markey and Lorimer do to be handcuffed behind their backs! One can only imagine!
Or, you can see it right here.
E4CS members were charged with failing to leave the premises when directed. The charge for trespassing is not criminal and falls under the provincial Trespassing Act.
No assault charges were laid.
The group has consulted lawyers and are considering their legal options.
Action 13 member, Zoe Green, told Small Change that E4CS bring attention to the need for Big Banks to divest from fossil fuels.
“We know they are having an impact, not only contributing to community conversations about climate change, but setting a very real example for youth in town,” Green shared.
In fact, three children who saw E4CS picketing outside RBC connected with Action 13 and organized a rally of their own getting the attention of local media with their handmade placards.
“Action 13 has much respect for the commitment and fortitude of E4CS. They give generously of their time and life experience in working toward a better future for younger generations,” stated Green.
Brown, Markey, Janson, and Lorimer appeared April 24, 2024 at the Provincial Offences Offices to set a date and time for their next court appearance.
That date is June 12, 2024 at 9 am. At that time, the E4CS members will be asked how they plead.
Brown, Markey, Janson and Lorimer would appreciate supporters showing up June 12th before 9 am outside room 200 inside the Provincial Offices, 50 Main St. E, Hamilton, Ontario.
Organizations that E4CS work with and support:
Stop Sprawl Hamilton Ontario (SSHamOnt)
Seniors for Climate Action Now
Thanks to everyone who read today’s article and listened to my podcast. With your continued support, a little Nicoll can make a lot of change.
Music: Real Estate by UNIVERSFIELD is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License. freemusicarchive.org.
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Elders 4 Climate Sanity arrested for speaking truth to power