British and US Quakers hold silent worship outside one of world's biggest investors in coal

Quakers on either side of the Atlantic held a public act of prayer outside Vanguard buildings today, 7 October, asking financial giant to abandon fossil fuels.

three protestors holding banner
British and US Quakers hold silent worship outside one of world's biggest investors in coal. Photo credit: Siobhan Haire, Quakers in Britain

The Vanguard Group has $7 trillion in global assets, at least $86 billion of which is tied up in coal, along with billions in oil and gas, and stakes in deforestation-linked agriculture and military contracts.

Many Quakers are deeply concerned about climate breakdown with four Quakers among 51 Just Stop Oil protestors remanded to prison last month for refusing to comply with court proceedings.

This week, to mark the 250th anniversary of the death of one of their radical forebears, Quaker environmental group EarthQuakes worshipped in silence for half an hour outside Vanguard's offices in the City of London.

Along with the Earth Quaker Action Team (EQAT) in the USA, EarthQuakes delivered a letter to Vanguard CEO Tim Buckley, asking one of the most influential men in the world to act courageously on the climate.

American Quakers held a simultaneous silent meeting near the Pennsylvania home of the Vanguard CEO and both groups were joined online by Quakers from across the UK and USA.

[QUOTE-START]

Nature hath a voice

- John Woolman

[QUOTE-END]

Eighteenth-century American Quaker John Woolman opposed slavery, poverty, wasteful living, war and cruelty towards animals, famously warning the rich: “Nature hath a voice."

EQAT has been campaigning for a year for Vanguard to exit its fossil fuel investments, offer climate-responsible funds as a default and to use its influence to drive climate-friendly action by industry.

Last month eight Quaker climate activists were arrested for protesting outside the company's Philadelphia HQ.

Despite copious green-washing, Vanguard lags far behind on climate action and commitments, according to EQAT.

More than two centuries ago, Woolman, who was a vegetarian, observed: “Conduct is more convincing than language."

Bristol Quaker Julia Bush said: “We are inspired by John Woolman's amazing record of 18th century faith-led campaigning.

“He understood that abuse of the natural world is a source of poverty and war, as well as an offence against God's creation."

Quakers in Britain are working to push the UK government and financial institutions to stop supporting the fossil fuel industry and increase support for communities facing the worst impacts of climate breakdown.