Protesters Camp Outside Bank Of America Building
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Hundreds of protesters camped outside of Bank of America buildings across the nation. Shareholders voted on the bank president's pay package Wednesday.
As Gigi Barnett explains, demonstrators in Baltimore joined in the protest.
Protesters call this a show of solidarity. Outside of the Bank of America building in downtown Baltimore, a small group collected names on petitions and chanted against the company. The scene was the same nationwide, especially in Charlotte, N.C., the bank's headquarters and where shareholders hosted their annual meeting to vote on the bank president's pay package.
"We're trying to make aware of the fact of what these banks are doing," said one protester. "These banks that have gotten federal bailouts, what they're using that money for."
While guards closely watched protesters, the demonstration was peaceful.
Most of the folks are from the 99% Coalition, a mix of grassroots groups who are outraged over the bank's foreclosure and lending practices.
"We just have been struggling," said Patreena Parsons.
Parsons says she lost her home during the housing bubble collapse. Her sister did, too. She took off work to protest and send a strong message to big banks.
"I think it's time that we spoke up. We've just been too quiet for too long," Parsons said. "They're getting away with it."
About 92 percent of Bank of America's shareholders approved the pay package for Bank President Brian Moynihan.
