BNY Mellon  

BNY Mellon targeted by protestors

BNY Mellon targeted by protestors
BNY Mellon's offices in Queen Victoria Street were sprayed with red paint. (Simoney Kyriakou/ FT Adviser)

Red paint was sprayed over BNY Mellon Investment Managements London offices this morning (April 15) as part of a protest against one of the firm's investments.

Workers were seen removing the paint across the firm's offices in Queen Victoria Street. 

The protest was part of action across the country against companies that invest in Israel-based Elbit Systems' which activities, according to its website, include military aircraft and helicopter systems as well as military weapons. 

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On X (formerly Twitter) a video confirmed the action was carried out by the group Palestine Action and was part of what it called the 'global economic blockade for a free Palestine'. 

It was not the only of the firm's buildings targeted today, Palestine Action also spray painted the firm's Manchester office. 

In a social media post it said: "The bank must divest from Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer, Elbit Systems."

BNY Mellon said it invests in the firm through its passive strategies. 

A spokesperson for the firm said: "BNY Mellon's Investment Management and Wealth Management businesses hold only a very small percentage of Elbit Systems’ stock as a result of requirements by its passive index investment strategies on behalf of clients.

"The safety and wellbeing of our employees continues to be our highest priority.” 

tara.o'connor@ft.com

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