At high noon, people gathered in the small park across World Bank Group HQ. The D.C. groups distributed banners and, most importantly, rolled in the famous trojan horse.

The World Bank claims that the Bank does climate, trade, and budget finance. That sounds perfectly innocent. But behind the curtains, shrouded in a thick veil of non-transparency, all three forms allow for the indirect financing of fossil fuels. Up to now, the World Bank has not categorically stopped fossil fuel financing. Coal, oil and gas are still not on the Exclusion List, where we find alcohol, tobacco and nuclear waste among others. So, the policy of the World Bank regarding fossil fuel finance very much remains a trojan horse.

And up on the stage, our fantastic speakers came. Patrick introduced the work of the D.C. groups and what they are up to. Then Fiza kicked off the international speeches, giving testimony to the situation in Pakistan, drowned by floods and suffering from incredible heat. Andri and Maia gave us insight into the situation in Indonesia and Chile. Jeremiah raised the issue of the cruelty behind factory farming. Joseph gave an impassioned critique of the EACOP Pipeline. Dean raised his voice for “Don’t Gas Africa”. Jax rocked the floor to shut down the Bank. Aaron told us more about the financing of gas projects in his country. 17-year-old Reb gave us a slam fighting climate change. Patrick brought insights on South African politics. Shereen took aim at the World Bank’s consistent ignorance over gender issues, also on the road to Marrakech with the missing visa. Finally, Sophie gave the thanks and final remarks. She also handed over a petition with over 30,000 signatures to “Ajay Banga”, demanding “Clean energy now! Reform the World Bank!”

Everybody told the attentive audience why they accuse the World Bank of not living up to its promises. It was a fantastic hour of protest.

Here is the list of speakers:

1. Ute Koczy (MC) – Urgewald, Germany
2. Patrick Young – representing DC groups, US
3. Fiza Qureshi – Indus Consortium, Pakistan
4. Andri Prasetiyo – Trend Asia, Indonesia
5. Maia Seeger – Sustentarse, Chile
6. Jeremiah Lowery – Stop Funding Factory Farming, US
7. Jospeh – Stop EACOP Uganda (spoke spontaneously)
8. Bhekumzi Dean Bhebhe – Power Shift Africa, South Africa
9. Jax Bongon – IBON International, based in the Philippines
10. Reb Spring – Extinction Rebellion DC, US
11. Patrick Bond – University of Johannesburg, South Africa
12. Shereen Talet – Arab Watch Coalition, MENA Region
13. Sophie Richmond – Big Shift Global Campaign, UK

Then, we took to the street, surrounding World Bank and IWF HQs. We carried our banners, shouted slogans and when Fiza took the bullhorn down on the street – they heard all this in the building! Really!