"Citi is living richly off of environmental destruction," commented Ilyse Hogue of the Rainforest Action Network "Students are outraged, and are standing up to say, "Not With My Money!"

At demonstrations around the globe, concerned citizens and Citi customers drew attention to the company's backing of egregious projects, such as the controversial Chad-Cameroon rainforest oil pipeline, China's Three Gorges Dam, and expanding palm plantations in Indonesia that destroy critical rainforest habitat for endangered orangutans. Students also highlighted Citigroup's policies of sub-prime or ‘predatory lending' in urban areas that disproportionately affect people with lower incomes and communities of color, as well as the corporation's sale of World Bank Bonds that strap developing nations with increasing debt.

Emboldened by the WTO protests in Seattle, students, environmentalists, human rights activists and economic justice advocates are now turning their attention towards the corporate financial sector, in particular Citi. Consumers today are increasingly demanding social and environmental responsibility from their banks.

"Student consumers are the bread and butter of Citibank's credit card business, as the company counts on them to become long-time customers," said Hogue. "Building on a tradition of student activism from the 60's to Apartheid to sweatshops, the growing ranks of student activists are standing up to hold Citi accountable."

The campaign's goal is to transform Citi's funding practices. Citigroup is America's largest financial institution, yet the industry leader uses virtually no social or environmental criteria in its investment decision-making.

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