Members and supporters of Bedford’s chapter of Third Act plan to return to Veterans Memorial Park on July 9 from 10 a.m. to noon to send a message to the Bank of America branch across the street about its contributions to the climate crisis.
The demonstration is part of the Third Act Summer of Heat, with dozens of similar actions targeting major financial institutions around the country. Third Act is a climate action movement for people older than 60.
Their message is “to demand that Wall Street banks stop using our retirement savings to fund the climate crisis.” Members staged a similar event in March 2023.
The national organization was founded by the writer and environmental activist Bill McKibben, who grew up in Lexington. McKibben’s mother is a resident of Carleton-Willard Village, whose residents make up the core of Bedford’s Third Act group.
There are about 80 members, said Marjorie Roemer, who helps lead the group. Last week, she said, volunteers worked a phone bank and sent postcards. She pointed out that “10,000 people a day pass the 60-year mark, the fastest-growing part of the population. That means that there’s no way to make the changes that must be made to protect our planet and society unless we bring our power into play.”
The demonstration is open to all. The group’s announcement on the national Third Act website says, “Bring a friend, or come by yourself as we stand with a strong message that it’s time to switch to renewable energy. Come for 30 minutes or stay for the whole two hours.” The announcement noted that there will be signs, water, and snacks as well as benches and shaded areas.
Third Act contends that Bank of America channels funds into fossil fuel projects that are responsible for the harmful emissions scientists have linked to extreme weather.
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