“Occupy Somerville” participants focused on their grievances against Bank of America last week. – Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

Politico-economics took on a local flavor this last Saturday, December 10, when Occupy Somerville took to Davis Square. Organized by local activist Matt McLaughlin, the protest included passionate speeches, a march to the local Bank of America branch, and the closing of at least three accounts there by local residents.

“Bank of America pays no taxes,” said McLaughlin. “For the last two years they’ve paid no taxes in this country. In fact they’ve actually gotten refunds from the government, because they’re so slick with their tax policies that they are actually able to do what they want and get money.”

The hundred-strong group, joined by the evocative soulful tunes of the Second Line Brass Band, held their protest in solidarity with the recently disposed of Occupy Boston camp, which was evacuated and raided earlier that day. They were led in prayer by Pastor Jeff Mansfield, associate at the First Somerville Church who deemed the group “Somerville’s David to Wall Street’s Goliath.”

“People were thrown out,” said Mansfield. “People were arrested. People right now from the encampment are lost and confused, don’t know what’s going to happen.

“So God, we just ask that you help us to maintain this hope and this commitment and remind us that so many of the greats have been arrested before us. People like Gandhi, and people like Jesus.”

“God of truth, we are gathered here today to say to the whole world that there can be no justice until there is economic justice for all people.”

Occupy Somerville was protesting the allegedly immoral practices of the megabanks, which included the BofA.

“They were involved in the credit-default swaps, and the adjustable rate mortgages and all these things that have fleeced people from their homes and their savings when they expected that their money was safe with these banks,” said McLaughlin, recalling the Sub-Prime Mortgage Crisis of 2008, which ravaged home-prices and led to a $9 trillion bailout of the largest banks by the federal government.

McLaughlin recalled a humorous parable himself, likening the banks to his supposed friend, “Johnny Junkie.”

“One day Johnny comes up to me and says ‘Matt, I can’t tell you what happened, I’m in a lot of trouble, I’m in a jam. I need money fast. I can’t tell you why, but trust me, I need this money’,” said McLaughlin. In the tale, Johnny then asks for nine trillion dollars.

“Johnny, this isn’t the first time this has happened. I seem to remember several times throughout history in which you’ve come and asked me for a bailout, so I would like to have some assurances.”

McLaughlin then takes out a loan himself for Johnny agreeing to the loan for the sake of his friend.

“Then ‘lo and behold, a week later, he comes back and he has some of the money. I’m confused. I say ‘Johnny, about a week ago, you were broke. So where is this money coming from? And by the way, my television was stolen last week. Do you happen to know where that went?’”

“When they mess up, like they did in 2008, they make us suffer. They make us pay. “The only way to deal with a situation like this is to cut them off, and to say no more. We’re not going to take this is anymore. They say they’re too big to fail, well we’re here to make sure they’re not so big anymore.”

The group then marched to the local Bank of America, only to find a white gate blocking any entrance by members of the group. Management had decided to close up the bank an hour and a half early at 11:36 a.m. However, Rand Wilson, community organizer and union representative, was quick to confront the manager, who then agreed to let him and two others close their accounts.

“Wall Street is occupying America. Wall Street is occupying Somerville. And that’s corrupting our values. That’s corrupting our civic society,” said Wilson.

The group was joined by Sen. Pat Jehlen and Rep. Denise Provost.