Today in a demonstration to highlight Bank Transfer Day, about 50 people of all ages held signs and balloons in front of Chase Bank and Bank of America in Fresno for two hours. They also chanted "move your money," banged on makeshift drums, and cheered loudly when drivers on the busy street honked in support. The local paper in California's Central Valley took note of the action. According to 'Bank Transfer Day' draws Fresno protests the demonstration organized by Occupy Fresno and Peace Fresno was part of "a national movement" for people to shift their money from national banks to local credit unions.
Some of the signs:
According to the report:
four of the demonstrators walked into Chase Bank to close or begin the process of closing their accounts. When the group got to the doors, Chase employees locked them and only allowed one person in at a time.
A woman who closed her account at Chase and plans to close another at Wells Fargo was quoted as saying it's unfair for banks to increase fees while making a profit at a time when so many people continue to struggle:
"We bailed these banks out a few years ago and yet they're still making huge profits. It's frustrating."
Another woman, who withdrew some money from Chase and walked to a nearby credit union to open a new account, was also quoted:
"I think it's an important way to exercise some of the only power we have, the power of the purse."