OYC Solidarity Corner Occupation against the Bank Of America Shareholders Meeting

We had an amazing Corner Occupation and Sidewalk March in solidarity with the thousands of protestors across the country as the Bank of America Shareholders meeting in North Carolina was rallied against by Occupiers, Environmentalists, Unions, and Foreclosed Families. We took to the corners around the main Bank of America branch in San Diego as we handed out hundreds of flyers to some really interested folks.

After doing a Sidewalk March to collect some 99% Springers at City Hall, we returned to the main B of A branch to talk to people about the Big Bank problem; the benefits of breaking down Bank of America into smaller, more manageable community banks; as well as the personal and social values of joining a Credit Union. But the most powerful mover was when we each took the opportunity to inform people of how B of A has been the major player in the current recession, the foreclosing of homes on families and veterans, loan discrimination against minorities, the "robo-signing" away of the American Dream, and their funding of for-profit prisons. 

Handing out flyers is one thing, but stopping to talk to fellow citizens about the dangers that corporate greed and main stream media neglect are having on our way of life definitely shined through as a positive, peaceful tactic for Occupying. One Occupier talked to a woman about foreclosures that sent her reeling and promising to switch, and we saw many others having in-depth talks about the needs and values of keeping their money local. One person we talked to happen to see a City Councilman crossing the street and he walked right up to him and told him what was up!

We also met many people interested in what OSD and OYC are doing, and met a lot of folks on the street who were very impressed to hear about our work with the World Beat Center (we got news today that they are backing off!), the Sherman Heights WalMart (those actions garnered national attention on major news outlets), the Fight against California Medical cuts (thank you to Occupy Labor Solidarity and Raul Carranza for keeping up the fight), and bringing economic inequality and corporate greed to the fore ("Hella, hella Occupy!"). 

We also made a new chant: "Break Up B of A, this Corporate Greed Must Go Away!"

Thank you to Occupiers Tammy M and Cristie P for photos and livestreaming!