March and Rally Launches Nationwide Campaign to Demand Banks Stop Lobbying Against Financial Reform

SEIU's Anna Burger, AFL-CIO's Richard Trumka to Address Crowd

Chicago, IL--Today, in the largest taxpayer mobilization since the economic crisis began, more than 5,000 Americans from 20 cities will converge on the American Bankers Association (ABA) convention in Chicago. The march and rally concludes three days of demonstrations around the ABA convention and launches a nationwide campaign to demand big banks and Wall Street stop spending millions in taxpayer dollars to lobby against financial reform.

Events kicked off Sunday with a gathering of hundreds of ordinary Americans who have lost their homes, jobs, and pensions during the bank-induced economic crisis sharing their stories and hearing from Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). That evening, more than 900 people were organized to take their message directly to the ABA at a banker's ball being held at their convention.

On Monday, FDIC Chair Sheila Bair addressed nearly 1,000 people and reaffirmed her support for much needed reforms like the Consumer Financial Protection Agency. She told the crowd she would deliver that message when she addressed the ABA convention later that morning. Following Bair's remarks, taxpayers took their message directly to the banks at demonstrations outside of Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, and the ABA convention.

After taking $17.8 trillion in taxpayer bailouts and backstops, the ABA and the six largest banks have spent more than $35 million fighting Congressional action on financial reform. Meanwhile, ordinary Americans continue to face rising foreclosures, record unemployment, skyrocketing bank and credit card fees, and vanishing pensions and 401(k)s.

Taxpayers will leave Chicago today to mobilize their communities and ensure Congress acts immediately to rein in the reckless policies of big banks.

Read a full report on ABA's actions to lobby against financial reform here.

Photos and videos of all events and activities are being captured and provided to the media on the following websites:
• YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/ABAShowdown
• Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=ABAShowdown&m=text
• www.seiu.org/bigbanks/ & SEIU's Flickr page

National Taxpayer Mobilization to Break Bank Greed

October 27, 2009

WHAT: Taxpayer march on American Bankers Association conference to demand banks stop lobbying against needed financial reform.

WHO: SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, more than 5,000 workers, clergy, and community allies and leaders from 20 cities.

WHERE: 9:45 am CDT- Prayer vigil at Intersection of Wacker and Stetson.

10:20 am CDT - March begins at Intersection of Wacker and Stetson.

11:00 am CDT - Rally outside the Sheraton Hotel, 301 E. North Water St. Crowd will assemble on Park Dr.

VISUALS: Thousands of people marching, chanting, and holding signs, taxpayers delivering a giant invoice for $17.8 trillion to the ABA convention, taxpayers giving giant bank CEO puppets pink slips

Live photos and videos from the events will be posted to http://www.seiu.org/bigbanks, www.StopBankGreed.org, or www.ShowdownInChicago.org for more details.

Groups participating in the three days of mobilizations include: A New Way Forward, AFL-CIO, Action Now, Albany Park Neighborhood Council, Alliance to Develop Power (ADP), Americans for Fairness in Lending, Americans for Financial Reform, ARISE Chicago, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, Central Illinois Organizing Project (CIOP), Center for Community Change (CCC), Change in Terms, Change to Win, Citizen Action, Chicago Coalition of the Homeless, Communities United for Action (CUFA), Community Voices Heard (CVH), Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO), Grassroots Collaborative, Green Party of Nevada, Fuerza Laboral/Power of Workers, Illinois Hunger Coalition, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Jobs with Justice, Gender Just Metanoia Centers, Inc., Michigan People's Action (MPA), MoveOn, National People's Action, Northside Action for Justice, Northside POWER, Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition, People Organized for West Side Renewal (POWER), PUSH Buffalo, Right to the City Alliance, Rights for All People (RAP), Roomdad Productions, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), SEIU Illinois State Council, SOUL, South Austin Coalition Community Council (SACCC), Sunflower Community Action, Syracuse United Neighbors (SUN), Teach Our Children (TOC), The Grassroots Collaborate, UE, UCLA Undergraduate Students Association, Workers United, and Working In Neighborhoods (WIN)