Comedian Russell Brand lends support to Fossil Free SOAS

Comedian Russell Brand has backed calls for SOAS to ditch its shares in fossil fuel companies.

Posing with a banner to support Fossil Free SOAS’ campaign, Brand urged the School to “be on the right side of history” by divesting from the fossil fuel industry.

Earlier this week, Glasgow University became the first UK higher education institution to commit to selling its £18 million worth of shares in companies involved with the fossil fuel industry over the next decade. SOAS has already halted buying any new shares in these companies and will take a decision in November on whether to divest completely.

SOAS currently holds around £2 million in shares in companies like Shell, BP and BHP Billiton. Over 670 people have signed an online petition demanding SOAS divest and many more have added their names to an on-campus paper petition.