***MEDIA ADVISORY*** At Protests Across Virginia, Communities Demand Banks Divest from Fossil Fuels

Virginians will rally at bank branches across the state tomorrow to call on major banks to pull their support for dirty fossil fuels.

The day of action marks the formation of a new coalition, Invest Virginia, made up of concerned communities working to challenge investments in the fossil fuel industry, particularly fracked gas infrastructure like the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley Pipelines that would threaten Virginia communities with increased air and water pollution and contribute to the climate crisis. Groups will hold rallies at bank branches in Big Stone Gap, Roanoke, Salem, Richmond, Chesterfield, Leesburg and more to demand banks invest in communities and clean energy rather than dirty fossil fuels.

WHAT: Statewide day of action to demand banks divest from fossil fuels

WHEN: Wednesday, May 22, 12pm-1pm ET

WHERE:

• Norton:

Where: Wells Fargo - 701 Park Ave NW, Norton, VA 24273

Local point of contact: Gabby Gillespie, 276-220-5048, gillespie--gabby.gillespie@sierraclub.org

• Midlothian:

Where: Wells Fargo - 13530 Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian, VA 23113

Local point of contact: Stacy Lovelace -- virginiapipelineresisiters@gmail.com

• Richmond:

Where: Bank of America - 1111 East Main St., Richmond, Virginia 23219

Local point of contact: Jessica Sims, jessica.sims@sierraclub.org

• Roanoke:

Where: Wells Fargo - 10 S Jefferson St, Roanoke, Virginia 24011

Local point of contact: Easton Douglas, emmradish@gmail.com

• Big Stone Gap:

Where: Wells Fargo - 216 Wood Ave E, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219

Local point of contact: Taysha DeVaughan, tayleedev@gmail.com  

• Salem:

Where: Wells Fargo - 1432 Apperson Dr, Salem, VA 24153

Local point of contact: Cynthia Munley, cmunley@live.com

• Leesburg:

Where: Wells Fargo - 1616 Village Market Blvd SE Leesburg, VA 20175

Local point of contact: Natalie Pien, natcpien1@gmail.com

• Blacksburg:

Where: Wells Fargo - 200 N Main St, Blacksburg, VA 24060

Local point of contact: Michael James Deramo, mjdishere00@gmail.com

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person’s right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.