Protesters disrupted the annual “Party in the Garden” fundraiser at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, demanding the removal of board chair Marie-Josée Kravis. The activists highlighted her husband’s private equity firm, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR), which has invested billions in oil and gas companies.
The activists held banners and chanted slogans outside MoMA, questioning the museum’s acceptance of funds while disregarding the consequences of the fossil fuel industry. As guests arrived, they were handed flyers with a QR code leading to an open letter and petition calling for MoMA to sever ties with Kravis.
The private equity industry has faced increased scrutiny from climate activists, as many companies have divested from oil and gas while private equity firms have remained invested. A recent report revealed that the ten largest private equity firms, including KKR, had 80% of their energy investments in fossil fuels.
This incident is part of a broader trend of increased scrutiny of MoMA’s board members and funding sources in recent years. In 2020, a campaign called Strike MoMA protested against trustees’ unethical financial ties, and in previous years, protests have targeted specific honorees or addressed worker rights and healthcare cuts.
Featured Image: Climate activists protesting outside MoMA on June 6, 2023. Photo credit: Keerti Gopal. Source: Inside Climate News
