Occupy Wall Street protesters, environmental activists, and struggling
homeowners are converging in Charlotte today for a protest outside Bank
of America’s annual shareholder meeting. The protesters are calling
attention to the bank’s involvement in the financial crisis, its support
for the coal industry and its long record of alleged foreclosure
abuses. The rally marks a test run for activism targeting September’s
Democratic National Convention, which will be held in Charlotte. The
city recently enacted broad police powers to stop and search anyone
carrying a backpack, purse or briefcase with the intent to conceal
anything on a long list of prohibited items, ranging from weapons to
markers to bicycle helmets. "Folks are coming to Charlotte to stand
their ground against the predatory practices of Bank of America," says
Rachel LaForest of the Right to the City Alliance, a national coalition
of community groups that is bringing roughly 175 residents to Charlotte
who have been evicted by Bank of America. "We’re coming to their
shareholders meeting and to say: 'This is what your practices have done
to our lives.' We’re entering into the space to become decision makers
and ensure this stops." We’re also joined by Rebecca Tarbotton,
executive director of Rainforest Action Network, which is calling on
Bank of America, the largest financier of the coal industry, to
transition its investments out of coal and toward energy efficiency and
renewable energy. "Bank of the America is the lead [U.S.] financier of
coal — the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions that cause
climate change. We’re here to say to Bank of America: You need to get
out of coal if you’re serious about this country transitioning into
renewable energy."Video
Source: Democracy Now!
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