Taxpayers From 20 Cities Headed to American Bankers Association Chicago Conference October 25-27

Banks Using Taxpayer Money to Spend Millions Fighting Reforms that Would Help Prevent Next Financial Crisis

Chicago, IL--In the largest taxpayer mobilization since the economic crisis began, thousands of Americans from 20 cities will converge on the American Bankers Association (ABA) conference in Chicago from October 25 to 27 to demand banks stop spending millions in taxpayer dollars to lobby against reforms that would protect Americans from the next economic crisis.

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.

From Spokane to Syracuse, ordinary Americans who have lost their jobs, their homes, and their life savings will be boarding buses and planes to demand banks end their over-reliance on greed and profits and commit to using their taxpayer bailouts and backstops to help America's economy recover.

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

National Taxpayer Mobilization to Break Bank Greed

WHAT: Taxpayers converge on Goldman Sachs CEO's NYC home to demand the bank use billions in bonuses to help alleviate foreclosures and job loss before heading to Chicago.

WHO: Hundreds of working families and community groups

WHEN & WHERE: 11:15 am EDT
15 Central Park West, New York, NY

WHAT: Taxpayers put big banks and Wall Street on trial for breaking their commitments to the American taxpayers.

WHO: Hundreds of taxpayers from across the country who've lost their jobs, homes, and retirement security because of the economic crisis, workers, community leaders and allies, and academics.

WHEN & WHERE: 4:30 pm CDT
Hyatt Regency Chicago
151 East Wacker Drive

WHAT: Demonstrations at Goldman Sachs and outside American Bankers Association.

WHO: More than 1,000 retirees, family farmers, clergy, workers, students, homeowners, and community allies.

WHEN & WHERE: 10:30 am CDT - Goldman Sachs Chicago Headquarters
71 S. Wacker, Chicago

Taxpayers will ask Goldman Sachs to donate its entire projected $23 billion dollar bonus pool to prevent every foreclosure in America in 2010 AND lift one million families out of the poverty and joblessness.

12:00 pm CDT - Demonstration outside American Bankers Association convention, 301 East North Water Street

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

WHO: More than 5,000 workers, clergy, and community allies and leaders from 20 cities.

WHEN & WHERE: 10:00 am CDT - Prayer vigil at Intersection of Wacker and Stetson.

10:30 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.

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

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, Brighten 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)