Los Angeles: Taking it to the banks

Demanding relief from the jobs crisis and record foreclosures, activists in Los Angeles led a militant trail of protest on Dec. 12 from a state park to the streets to inside Bank of America. They chanted, “Stop foreclosing on the jobless” and “Bankers of America, shame on you — People need jobs and housing too.”

WW photo: Cheryl LaBash

Pouring rain did not discourage the noontime demonstration at Pershing Square Park, initiated by the Bail Out the People Movement. At least 20 protesters remained after the heaviest showers came down. They were determined to make their messages heard by documented and undocumented workers and residents passing through this downtown park, which is surrounded by tall buildings.

“We are in a state of emergency, and whether that emergency is natural or economic, the state and local governments of this country are required by law to make sure that people are safe and that children and families have a roof over their heads. With one out of five people in California either unemployed or underemployed, the government must create a real jobs program now,” said BOPM organizer Maggie Vascassenno.

The march ended up at Bank of America Plaza, where the corporate offices of Mellon Bank, Citibank, Wells Fargo and Chase are located. Speakers at the rally asserted that jobs and housing are human rights, which require that the government provide not only jobs or income now but also the education needed to get a job.

Participants and organizations at the rally included an organizer for Katrina survivors, Peace Action West, Al-Awda Right to Return Coalition, International Action Center, Bail Out the People Movement and Workers World Party. Channel 5 television news interviewed one of the activists there.