Bank “makes no comment”; PSP police unaware
Students from the Grève Climática Estudantil (Student Climate Strike) movement climbed onto the roof of the Bank of Portugal in Lisbon early this morning, unfurling a banner demanding an end to fossil fuels by 2030.
In a statement, the movement said “students are demanding an end to fossil fuels by 2030 and an end to the use of fossil gas to produce electricity by next year, instead using 100% renewable and free electricity, through a public renewable energy service.”
Leonor Chico, speaking for this protest and quoted in the statement, explained that the “government that will be formed in the next few days will not have a plan for the end of fossil fuels within the timescales of science“.
“The end of fossil fuels by 2030 is not negotiable ; it is an existential necessity. And we know it is possible. We could have free, 100% renewable electricity by next year. The obstacles are not technical or scientific. The only obstacle is the political decision to put the profits of fossil companies above our lives”.
The full statement described students’ fear of the future, even with a new government of different political persuasion: “We are scared that we’re heading for political, social and climate collapse, in the hands of the same people who put profit before our lives.
“We’re scared, but this fear doesn’t paralyse us.
“On the contrary, it gives us more strength to resist this system that takes everything from us and oppresses us so much.
“Students must unite and use their schools and universities as spaces for organizing and fighting”.
A source from the Bank of Portugal has said it will not be making any comments.
It is not clear how the students gained access to the top of the building, but it could well have been from an adjacent property.
Contacted by Lusa, a source for PSP police said it had no knowledge of this incident
The students have warned that their movement “is calling for a wave of actions” in May for an end to fossil fuels.
Source material: LUSA/ Facebook: GCE Lisboa
