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Occupy Movement Picks Up in Detroit

Movement spreads to the Motor City, where protesters vow to stay for 60 days.

The Occupy Movement has officially spread to Detroit, a city where some might say change is beyond needed.

 

On Wednesday, about 50 protestors from Occupy Detroit rallied outside Detroit's Guardian Building, where the city’s Bank of America downtown branch is located.

 

Protestors did not attempt to enter the bank, nor did they block access to the building.

 

Their fight may have been peaceful, but their message certainly was not quiet. Demonstrators delivered a letter to the bank branch’s manager calling for an end to foreclosures.

 

“Bank of America received $45 billion in federal TARP bailout funds,” the letter reads. “It continues to be bailed out by the federal government through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which guarantees $2.1 trillion in Bank of America loans, many of which were fraudulent and as a result are in default. Bank of America and its affiliate Countrywide signed contracts to receive over $7 billion in additional taxpayer funds to modify loans under the Making Home Affordable Program, but continues to refuse to modify loans and keep families in their homes.”

 

Protesters promised to return on Friday for another rally if the bank does not declare a foreclosure moratorium.

 

Occupy Detroit officially began last Friday and is encamped in a downtown Detroit park. Protesters are expected to remain in the park for 60 days.

 

 

To contact or share story ideas with Danielle Wright, follow and tweet her at @DaniWrightTV.

 

(Photo: Bryan Mitchell / Courtesy The Detroit News)

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