While walking around Boston on March 12, 2009 I walked into a protest outside a Bank of America branch on Boylston Street. Ever the curious proletariat, I stopped to ask questions, snap pictures and record video.
Give us back our houses! Bank of America Protest in Boston
From public opinion polls, about 99.9% of American citizens and residents are outraged by the government bailouts of failing corporations, but only a few actually step up and do something about it. These are those few, brave, proud citizens and they will continue protesting every Thursday from 4 PM to 6 PM at 557 Boylston Street outside the Bank of America branch.
Families over Profit! Bank of America Protest in Boston
Here’s a quick 22 second video of the protest:
The group is demanding that:
- Bank of America & all lenders:
Write down mortgages to present day value, fixed rates - FDIC style. Stop all post-foreclosure evictions.
- Massachusetts:
Pass a moratorium on under-water foreclosures & post-foreclosure evictions without cause.
- Congress:
Preserve all affordable housing: public, mult-family, private - $ for housing not for Wall Street
Priest protests Bank of America in Boston
The protest was setup by the City Life/Vida Urbana and the Massachusetts Jobs with Justice organizations.
In the interests of providing the other side of this story, here is an article about Bank of America CEO Kenneth Lewis giving a talk to local business leaders about his optimism that the U.S. economy will improve by the end of this year.
Bank of America Protest in Boston
Who is right? Is either side wrong? We’ll let you decide. Let us know in the comments below.