13 Vanguard Protestors Face Preliminary Hearings in June In Tredyffrin

TREDYFFRIN, PA —Thirteen suspects accused of staging a climate policy protest that blocked entrances and exits at Vanguard face a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 9.

The suspects were all charged with failure of disorderly persons to disperse upon official order, criminal trespass, and disorderly conduct after they entered the private property of an investment management company, in the Malvern section of Tredyffrin Township, without permission and refused to leave the property after being told several times to do so by official orders.

The hearings are scheduled before District Judge Lauren Holt, West Valley Road, Wayne.

The protesters caused hazardous conditions for employees entering their offices at Vanguard, police said.

Earth Quaker Action Team and Extinction Rebellion Philadelphia groups began protesting at 8:30 a.m. at the Vanguard entrance at the intersection of Brennan Blvd. and Foundry Way, Tredyffrin Township, and the Vanguard Boulevard entrance in East Whiteland Township.

These suspects are facing court action:

• Frederick Robinson, 72, Lansdowne, Delaware County;
• Nancy Sleator, 73, of Lansdowne, Delaware County;
• Ashton Clatterbuck, 21, of Holtwood, Lancaster County;
• Frank Fortino, 53, of Philadelphia;
• Michael Gagne, 48, of Media, Delaware County;
• Zoe Johnson, 22, of Elkins Park, Montgomery County;
• Sarah Lang, 31, of Philadelphia;
• Carolyn McCoy, 68, of Philadelphia;
• Barbara Montabana, 74, of Aldan, Delaware County;
• Sheila Oliver, 75, of Philadelphia;
• Hans Peter, 80, of Southampton, Bucks County;
• Moon Smith, 65, Philadelphia; and
• Jean Vanorman, 84, Pennington, N.J.

Vanguard officials said the company was aware of the climate protest, which was also staged at the same time last year.

The goal of the protest is to discourage Vanguard from investing in fossil fuels.

The investment company and a 20-page report available on the economics of climate change.