Washington, DC - Several thousand people occupied a section of K Street -home to lobbyists for the big banks and other corporations - today calling for Wall Street reform and bank accountability. The protest, called by National People's Action, SEIU, the AFL-CIO, and Jobs with Justice, was part of a series of actions held in the city over the past two days against major Wall Street, corporate and anti-immigrant lobbyists who are fighting key financial reforms.

Many of the workers, family farmers, clergy, and immigrant activists descending on Washington, D.C. participated in a week of actions across the country two weeks ago to hold Wall Street accountable and demonstrate strong public support for financial regulation. More than 10,000 people marched on Wall Street banks in San Francisco, Kansas City, Chicago, Charlotte, and on Wall Street.

"More and more Americans are making the connection between a broken banking system and a broken democracy," said Reverend Dr. Eugene Barnes, President of National People's Action. "Everyday Americans are here from 20 states to draw a direct connection between Wall Street banks and other unaccountable corporations, their K Street lobbyists, and the Members of Congress who do their bidding. They have hijacked our democracy, and we are here to take it back."

Today's demonstration comes on the heels of the release of Big Bank Takeover, a report by the Campaign for America's Future. The report describes a "revolving door" where over 70 former members of Congress and 940 federal employees have become lobbyists working for the big banks at the expense of the American people. Wall Street CEOs alone are spending more than $1.4 million a day fighting Wall Street reform and have hired more than 1,500 lobbyists.

"Wall Street and corporate special interests are the single biggest obstacle to the reforms working families urgently need-- from good jobs to Wall Street reform," said AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Liz Shuler. "The big Wall Street banks brought on the economic collapse that destroyed millions of jobs, they took billions in taxpayer bailouts and then they went right back to fighting meaningful reform."

After a brief rally, the group brought their "Reclaim our Democracy" and "Bank of America = Bad for America" signs into the street and sat down, blocking the intersection at 14th and K Street. As people affected by predatory banking practices spoke, organizers unveiled a giant puppet of a K Street lobbyist that is pulling the strings on a puppet of Congress.

"The American people have a deep desire to fix what's broken with our economic and political system," said Service Employees International Union President Mary Kay Henry. "That's why a movement is building across this country to challenge the toxic influence Wall Street and corporations have on our democracy and demand Wall Street and our politicians start meeting their basic responsibilities to the American people by creating jobs and rebuilding our economy, helping families keep their homes, and ensuring taxpayers are never again forced to bailout Wall Street's recklessness."

"People are angry -- and for good reason," said Jobs with Justice Executive Director Sarita Gupta. "Corporate greed and recklessness have driven our economy into a crisis. While they bring in record profits, we lose jobs and public services. Members of Congress need to decide which side they're on: working people or Wall Street."

Finally, the group marched to Bank America, and left a letter demanding changes to the bank's policies. Bank of America services the largest number loans eligible for modification in the Home Affordable Mortgage Program (HAMP) according to the Treasury Department. Yet they are among the bottom of the pack at providing modifications for their borrowers with less than 2% of eligible families in a permanent modification.

"We have a simple message for Bank of America: Stop lobbying, fix racial disparity in lending, keep families in their homes, and invest in community-led development," said Larry Ginter, a family farmer from Rhodes, Iowa. "If you think it's time to put people first and hold banks accountable, stand up. Our founding fathers spoke out against the injustice. You just can't sit back and let the big boys walk all over you. You have to stand up and fight."

Earlier in the day, hundreds of members of National Peoples' Action and SEIU staged protests at a number of prominent lobbying firms and corporations.

Photos and videos of ALL "Showdown" events and activities are being captured and provided to the media through the following websites:

• ww.seiu.org/bigbanks
• YouTube - http://YouTube.com/ShowdownInAmerica
• Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=ShowdownInAmerica

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