Himpunan Hijau activists today held a demonstration in Kuantan against a major international bank over its involvement with Australia's Lynas Corporation.


 Their target was the HSBC branch at Jalan Mahkota. Protestors claim that the bank was financing Lynas and was thus contributing to environmental degredation.


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 Attempts were made to contact HSBC's public relations personnel for comments, but it is believed that the department was on leave today.


 About 50 protestors took part in the event, dubbed the Black Christmas gathering complete with a black Christmas tree.


 They gathered at about 2.30pm for the 25-minute protest in the rain.


 Protestors carried placards venting their anger towards Lynas and HSBC, with one reading "Our Christmas has been darkened".


 After they were done, the black Christmas tree was left at the bank's doorsteps.


 
 'Banks can't be neutral'
 
 
 Police personnel were at the scene, but did not take any action.
 
 
 Himpunan Hijau chairperson Wong Tack told Malaysiakini that the protest was originally scheduled for yesterday, but it had to be postponed due to
 <a href="http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/217360" target="_blank">
 
 floods
 
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 He said the protest today was to put pressure on HSBC to cease its dealings with Lynas.
 
 
 "We spoke to (one of their official) last Friday. There was no response, so we had to take action," he said.
 
 
 He said banks must not have a neutral stand on environmental issues and must show a sense of corporate social responsibility.
 
 
 "To us, this is an environmental issue. They cannot just look at profits," he said.
 
 
 Wong said that Himpunan Hijau will be working with international NGOs as well to put pressure on companies dealing with Lynas.

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Himpunan Hijau brings a black Christmas tree to the door steps of a major bank, demanding that it cease dealing with Lynas.

Anti-Lynas activist takes aim at bank

~RM12

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