June 28 (Reuters) -

Dozens of climate activists were arrested after protesting

at Citigroup's ( C/PN ) headquarters in New York on Friday as part

of what they called a "Summer of Heat" campaign.

Climate groups have been targeting Wall Street banks in

a campaign against their financing of fossil fuel projects.

Police arrested 61 protesters on Friday, with charges

pending, while two people were given summonses, according to the

New York City Police Department.

"Our family and friends were willing to be arrested

because their lives are on the line in our communities that are

surrounded by the pollution that Citi is financing," said

Roishetta Ozane, one of the protest organizers.

Protesting in front of the company's headquarters in

Manhattan, demonstrators chanted: "Hey Citi, get off it, the

planet over profit." Activists held signs reading, "Citi Earns

While the World Burns."

The bank said it welcomed engagement with stakeholders

and was transparent about its climate-related work.

"We are supporting the transition to a low-carbon

economy through our net zero commitments and our $1 trillion

sustainable finance goal," a bank spokesperson said in a

statement. "Our approach reflects the need to transition while

also continuing to meet global energy needs."

The activists expected more than 1,000 people to

participate in the demonstration, according to a statement ahead

of the protest.

It was unclear how many people had gathered outside

Citi's building. The group had largely dissipated by Friday

afternoon, according to a Reuters witness.

Citi employees were alerted on Thursday to anticipate

"significant protest" activity on Friday, according to a source

at the bank who shared the security notification with Reuters.

On June 10, multiple demonstrators were taken into custody

outside Citi's headquarters, and 23 individuals were later

released with criminal court summonses, the NYPD said on

Thursday.