Contact:  CONTACT: press@occupywallst.org, 347-292-1444
For this action only: Rae Abileah, 415-994-1723


PROTESTORS ARRESTED AFTER SHUTTING DOWN BANK OF AMERICA

Shut Down Part of CODEPINK International Women's Day Action Actions Take Place Same Day as BofA Charged in Federal Court over Fraudulent Homeowner Modifications

Multi-Media Timeline:

Photo Prior to Moynihan Protest: twitpic.com/8tlni9 (credit: CODEPINK)

Rough Video of Protest: http://bit.ly/yRm2Tv (credit: CODEPINK)

Rough Video of BofA Arrests: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-laTVuvtpY (credit: CODEPINK)

New York, NY-- After shutting down Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan's address to financial investors earlier in the day; activists from CODEPINK were arrested near Zuccotti Park after a planned protest outside a Bank of America branch.

Medea, Rae and members of the Church of the Church of Stop Shopping revealed the "Bust B Of A" on their chests inside the Bank of America at the corner of Zuccotti Park home of Occupy Wall Street. Moments after leaving the bank, protestor Rae Abileah was brutally arrested at the square across from Zuccotti. As she pled that she has damaged wrists and neck they pulled her by her wrists and threw her to the ground see video here. Others who came to her support were dragged, grabbed and threatened. They are currently waiting arraignment at Central booking.

Jodie Evans, co-founder of CODEPINK who was present at the protest stated, "I am shocked at the violence we experienced today, women who work for peace and economic justice are behind bars while B of A gets away with destroying the lives of hard working citizens. We need to reclaim Justice on International Women's Day. "

During the protest of CEO Moynihan earlier in the day, CODEPINK women got on stage, greeting the CEO on behalf of the nation's women for International Women's Day. Taking off their suit jackets and blouses, they stood next to the CEO in their pink bras, with Bust up Bank of America written on their chests. Today's actions, on International Women's Day, coincide with court documents filed by a whistleblower charging Bank of America with knowingly and fraudulently seeks to limit homeo mortgage modifications under the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). The protests are part of a national day of action on International Women's Day organized by members of Occupy Wall Street, Women Occupy, and CODEPINK to creatively protest the destructive policies of the world's leading financial institutions. For a full list of actions happening around the country visit www.womenoccupy.org. Saturday, March 10th from 1-4 pm, a coalition of women will continue to celebrate International Women's Day with a gathering in Union Square at 14th St including a protest at Bank of America and march down Broadway to Liberty Plaza. Please note that permits have been denied so protesters will improvise and march on the sidewalk.

Occupy Wall Street is part of an international people powered movement fighting for economic justice in the face of neoliberal economic practices, the crimes of Wall Street, and a government controlled by monied interests. #OWS is the 99% organizing to end the tyranny of the 1%. For more info www.occupywallst.org

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