Occupy SF Protesters Target Bank Foreclosures In Excelsior
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— Occupy San Francisco activists joined other community advocates in protesting bank foreclosures in San Francisco's Excelsior District Saturday.
Grace Martinez spoke on behalf of The Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) and said the Excelsior has been targeted by big banks and is one of the hardest hit areas in the city.
"There are about 12,000 foreclosures in San Francisco from 2008 to the end of 2011. In Excelsior by 94112 [there are] close to 2,000 foreclosures," Martinez said.
KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:
More than 100 people rallied for over an hour at four different banks near the corner of Ocean Avenue and Mission Street.
Peter with Occupy San Francisco was among the speakers who took to the bullhorn.
"The narrative that people just make bad decisions and that's why they've been foreclosed on is simply not true. The banks play all kinds of tricks," he announced.
When protesters tried to enter Bank of America, employees locked the door and posted a sign apologizing for what they called, "circumstances beyond our control."
Gary Brown, one of the Excelsior residents being foreclosed upon, announced that he hopes Bank of America hears their cry, comes out and is willing to work with the people.
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