Protesters Target Banks In Dublin

About 50 demonstrators fanned out across all four corners of a busy intersection in Dublin during the lunch hour today to protest against what they call the irresponsible behavior of the nation's big banks.

The protesters chanted and waved signs at the intersection of Dublin Boulevard and Amador Plaza. There are three banks located near that intersection, including a Bank of America.

Some of the protest signs declared "Invest in Main Street, not Wall Street" and "We Are The 99 Percent."

Demonstrators also chanted, "Hey, hey B of A, how many homes did you close today?"

The demonstration lasted from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A number of cars honked in support as they zipped by.

It was part of a series of protests across the nation to mark the two-month anniversary of the "Occupy Wall Street" movement.

Eloise Hamann, one of the event organizers, said the banks were targeted for their role in the country's financial problems. She said they sold mortgates to unsuspecting unqualified people, bundled shaky mortgages with solid mortgages and then bet on them defaulting.

"We think the 99 percent and the one percent is a metaphor for the economic and political inequality in our country," said Hamann.

Across the street, Robert Shattuck was dressed in a top hat with a sign decrying corporate greed. The Danville resident said he came out to protest because the banks are sitting on $2 trillion while foreclosing homes.

"I'm just plain disgusted. I'm really, really upset," he said.

Joan Johnson, a Pleasanton resident, wore a pig mask while she protested. She said the inequality in wealth in the United States is out of hand.

"It's not right for these rich executives to be heading out to The Hamptons when there is so much inequality," she said.

Hamann said she was happy with the turnout at today's midday protest. She said demonstrations have been held recently in Walnut Creek, Danville and San Ramon, so they wanted to target another community on the two-month anniversary.

"We thought we'd move into another community today," she said.

Hamann did say she is bothered by some of the violence at the larger protests where demonstrators have created tent cities. She said it might be time to end the campouts and organize protests like the one in Dublin where people come for an hour and leave.

Johnson echoed that sentiment. She said this group focuses on peaceful protests.

"If anybody goes inside the bank or does something violent, they aren't one of us," she said.

Patch has left a message with a Bank of America media representative. We will print that response when we get it.