05-07-12 1000AM
On Wednesday, May 9, MoveOn.org members will protest big banks’ recklessness and greed outside the Bank of America in Brentwood.
The local demonstration is aimed at showing solidarity with activists who will be protesting and taking direct action at Bank of America’s annual shareholder meeting at its headquarters in Charlotte, N.C. the same day. The city of Charlotte might crack down on those demonstrations under new regulations approved in advance of the Democratic National Convention, which will be held there later this summer.
Bank of America is one of the top banks foreclosing on homeowners, and it does not pay its fair share of taxes.
Participants will demand that big banks like Bank of America start working for everyone instead of just the wealthiest 1 percent. They will call on Bank of America to do more to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, get their money out of politics, and invest their profits to help rebuild the economy. And they will call on Bank of America to stop financing dirty coal projects that cause asthma and other health problems and are destabilizing the climate.
The protest in Brentwood is part of the growing movement for fairness for the 99 percent. Thousands of Americans are taking to the streets and challenging the corporate and political interests that have dominated the country for generations. In addition to demonstrations, participants across the country are moving their money from the big banks into community banks and credit unions.
“Today’s event is part of a massive mobilization of Americans who are fed up with big banks like Bank of America and their horrendous corporate practices,” said Chris Flores, a local MoveOn.org member. “We’re here to build pressure on the big banks to do more to strengthen – not pillage – the economy. We need an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthiest 1 percent.”
Earlier this spring, tens of thousands of activists were trained in how non-violent direct action can advance fairness for the 99 percent as part of the 99% Spring. Those trainings preceded a resurgence of 99-percent activism that is now taking place around the country. This activism includes 99-percent Power – a series of non-violent direct actions targeting shareholder meetings and aimed at pressuring corporations to behave more responsibly.
The event will be held Wednesday, May 9 at 11 a.m. at Bank of America, 241 Oak St. in Brentwood.
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