Dakota Access Pipeline activists gatecrashed a Swiss bank Friday that has no direct financial ties to the multi-billion-dollar oil project.
Greenpeace activists unfurled a banner criticizing the so-called DAPL from an arena during a Credit Suisse’s annual shareholder meeting. The demonstrators repelled from the ceiling while CEO Tidjane Thiam was giving a speech.
“I am a democrat and a great believer in freedom of expression,” Thiam said. “I will continue my speech. Everyone has a right to express their views.”
Credit Suisse said in April that it was not financing the DAPL, a multi-state project that is expected to shuttle more than 500,000 barrels of Bakken oil from the Dakotas to Illinois.
“Allegations that Credit Suisse is the biggest lender to DAPL are false and are firmly rejected by the bank,” the bank said earlier this month. “Credit Suisse has business relationships with companies undertaking the construction and operation of the pipeline.”
Anti-DAPL demonstrators did something similar earlier this year at a Minnesota Vikings game. They rappelled down the roof of the U.S. Bank Stadium and dangled 100 feet above the audience to hang a giant anti-DAPL banner during the game.
Members of Standing Rock Sioux and other activists believe the multibillion-dollar pipeline will poison the tribe’s water supply and tread on its sacred land, despite assessments concluding the DAPL was safe and largely avoided sensitive tribal lands.
Opposition to the pipeline died down shortly after the Obama administration rejected the hotly contested pipeline route – but DAPL opponents were re-energized after President Donald Trump overturned his predecessor’s order.
Greenpeace has not responded to The Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
Follow Chris White on Facebook and Twitter
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.