Bank Of America Shareholders Meeting Swarmed By Protesters (PHOTOS)

Americans angry at Bank of America tried to communicate their frustration to the bank on Wednesday, quite literally.

Protesters gathered outside of BofA's headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina Thursday to demonstrate against the bank's foreclosure practices, as well as its relationship with the government and the coal industry. The protesters, wielding signs with phrases like "stop corporate greed" and "Bank vs. America," came from a variety of organizations, including the Occupy movement and various labor unions.

In addition to the demonstrations outside, BofA officials faced protests inside the meeting. Disgruntled shareholders aimed to force votes on controversial proposals. BofA isn’t the first big bank to face criticism at its shareholders meeting though. Dozens of protesters were arrested last month outside Wells Fargo's San Francisco headquarters during the bank’s shareholder meeting.

Citigroup's shareholders also struck down its CEO's pay package in what some characterized as a revolt last month. FirstMerit, a regional bank, followed suit shortly after.

Check out photos from the protests outside of the BofA shareholders meeting:

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• CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 9: An activist shouts while protesting outside of the annual Bank of America Corp. shareholders meeting on May 9, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Protesters from several movements including the 99 Percent Power movement converged on the annual shareholders meeting to protest a range of issues and actions. (Photo by John W. Adkisson/Getty Images)

• CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 9: Police officers arrest a protester after he tried to jump a barrier outside of the annual Bank of America Corp. shareholders meeting on May 9, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Protesters from several movements including the 99 Percent Power movement converged on the annual shareholders meeting to protest a range of issues and actions. (Photo by John W. Adkisson/Getty Images)

• CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 9: An activist shouts while protesting outside of the annual Bank of America Corp. shareholders meeting on May 9, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Protesters from several movements including the 99 Percent Power movement converged on the annual shareholders meeting to protest a range of issues and actions. (Photo by John W. Adkisson/Getty Images)

• CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 9: An activist shouts while protesting outside of the annual Bank of America Corp. shareholders meeting on May 9, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Protesters from several movements including the 99 Percent Power movement converged on the annual shareholders meeting to protest a range of issues and actions. (Photo by John W. Adkisson/Getty Images)

• CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 9: A protester takes a break while protesting outside of the annual Bank of America Corp. shareholders meeting on May 9, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Protesters from several movements including the 99 Percent Power movement converged on the annual shareholders meeting to protest a range of issues and actions. (Photo by John W. Adkisson/Getty Images)

• CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 9: An activist shouts while protesting outside of the annual Bank of America Corp. shareholders meeting on May 9, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Protesters from several movements including the 99 Percent Power movement converged on the annual shareholders meeting to protest a range of issues and actions. (Photo by John W. Adkisson/Getty Images)

• CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 9: Police officers arrest a protester after he tried to jump a barrier outside of the annual Bank of America Corp. shareholders meeting on May 9, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Protesters from several movements including the 99 Percent Power movement converged on the annual shareholders meeting to protest a range of issues and actions. (Photo by John W. Adkisson/Getty Images)

• CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 9: An activist shouts while protesting outside of the annual Bank of America Corp. shareholders meeting on May 9, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Protesters from several movements including the 99 Percent Power movement converged on the annual shareholders meeting to protest a range of issues and actions. (Photo by John W. Adkisson/Getty Images)

• CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 9: An activist shouts while protesting outside of the annual Bank of America Corp. shareholders meeting on May 9, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Protesters from several movements including the 99 Percent Power movement converged on the annual shareholders meeting to protest a range of issues and actions. (Photo by John W. Adkisson/Getty Images)

• CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 9: An activist shouts while protesting outside of the annual Bank of America Corp. shareholders meeting on May 9, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Protesters from several movements including the 99 Percent Power movement converged on the annual shareholders meeting to protest a range of issues and actions. (Photo by John W. Adkisson/Getty Images)

• CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 9: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers arrest a protester after he tried to jump a barrier outside of the annual Bank of America Corp. shareholders meeting on May 9, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Protesters from several movements including the 99 Percent Power movement converged on the annual shareholders meeting to protest a range of issues and actions. (Photo by John W. Adkisson/Getty Images)

• CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 9: An activist shouts while protesting outside of the annual Bank of America Corp. shareholders meeting on May 9, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Protesters from several movements including the 99 Percent Power movement converged on the annual shareholders meeting to protest a range of issues and actions. (Photo by John W. Adkisson/Getty Images)

• CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 9: An activist shouts while protesting outside of the annual Bank of America Corp. shareholders meeting on May 9, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Protesters from several movements including the 99 Percent Power movement converged on the annual shareholders meeting to protest a range of issues and actions. (Photo by John W. Adkisson/Getty Images)

• CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 9: Han Shan, an Occupy Wall Street protester, makes a 1 percent shirt while protesting outside of the annual Bank of America Corp. shareholders meeting on May 9, in Charlotte, N.C. The 99 Percent Spring movement drew inspiration from the Occupy Wall Street movement and covers a range of issues and actions. (Photo by John W. Adkisson/Getty Images)

• CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 9: An activist with the 99 Percent Power movement protests outside of the annual Bank of America Corp. shareholders meeting on May 9, in Charlotte, N.C. The 99 Percent Spring movement drew inspiration from the Occupy Wall Street movement and covers a range of issues and actions. (Photo by John W. Adkisson/Getty Images)

• CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 9: Activists with the 99 Percent Power movement protest outside of the annual Bank of America Corp. shareholders meeting on May 9, in Charlotte, N.C. The 99 Percent Spring movement drew inspiration from the Occupy Wall Street movement and covers a range of issues and actions. (Photo by John W. Adkisson/Getty Images)

• CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 9: Activists with the 99 Percent Spring movement perform a boxing routine outside of the annual Bank of America Corp. shareholders meeting on May 9, in Charlotte, N.C. The 99 Percent Spring movement drew inspiration from the Occupy Wall Street movement and covers a range of issues and actions. (Photo by John W. Adkisson/Getty Images)

• CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 9: Activists with the 99 Percent Power movement protest outside of the annual Bank of America Corp. shareholders meeting on May 9, in Charlotte, N.C. The 99 Percent Spring movement drew inspiration from the Occupy Wall Street movement and covers a range of issues and actions associated with seeking 'economic justice for all'. (Photo by John W. Adkisson/Getty Images)

• NEW YORK, NY - MAY 08: Protesters stage a demonstration outside the Bank of America tower on May 8, 2012 in New York City. Community, labor and clergy leaders gathered to protest what they said were Bank of America's 'predatory pursuit of profits' by forclosing on millions of homes throughout the U.S. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

• Demonstrators Protest Outside Of Bank Of America's New York Headquarters

  NEW YORK, NY - MAY 08: Police arrest a protester who blocked Sixth Avenue during a demonstration outside the Bank of America tower on May 8, 2012 in New York City. Community, labor and clergy leaders gathered to protest what they said were Bank of America's 'predatory pursuit of profits' by forclosing on millions of homes throughout the U.S. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

 

Comments

[Lady Gato]

11:39 AM on 05/13/2012

Good for Occupy!!! These folks are patriots and I hope they either bring BOA to its knees or (less likely) force it to become an honest bank. BOA is as corrupt as they get!

[Andrew Nutra]

12:48 PM on 05/15/2012

Just move your money somewhere else, what's the big deal? Are camping and drumming really that necessary.

[Lady Gato]

01:42 PM on 05/15/2012

Well...that assumes I had any money left when BOA got through with me. I'm involved in a class action lawsuit against them, and there are thousands of people who have been ripped of by BOA. So, yeah- I hope people do take their money and run before they lose too much, but Occupy is doing everyone a service by bringing attention to this corrupt giant.

[Harry Johnson]

11:35 AM on 06/04/2012

Moving money is to good for 'em. Jail 'em, period.

[Jeremy Gilchrist]

11:14 PM on 05/11/2012

My video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKIWl66j1Zw

[ALL OK HERE ON PLANET X]

11:51 PM on 05/10/2012

I love these people in the photos. I hope their message gets across to the powerful. Really, voting and boycotting is all we have. Hope we use it.

[Harry Johnson]

11:51 AM on 06/04/2012

nope, try 'em and give them very stiff sentences.

[Domenic Battistella]

08:18 PM on 05/10/2012

Those are some badazz photos!

[Domenic Battistella]

08:10 PM on 05/10/2012

Thanks so much from Charlotte. So many people from here and across the country were vital to making this action happen. Look for more to come this summer as Occupy Charlotte and other local, state, and national activists come together to march on the DNC and Wall Street South! By the way...that's me on the left in photo #1 :)

[OhioYippieHippie]

12:46 PM on 05/10/2012

Things will come together nicely this Summer.

[Siebenstein]

01:19 AM on 05/11/2012

I hope !!

[bromeando]

11:14 AM on 05/10/2012

Good for you protestors! Keep it up.

[sylvia wadlington]

10:35 AM on 05/10/2012

B of A is no longer #1. Move your money to a non profit credit union, for better service and less fees. The only way we are going to free ourselves from the continual financial rape and pillaging of big banks is to keep as much money as possible OUT OF THEM! B of A said it wasn't interested in the little guy's money, but when all the little guys started putting their money in non profit credit unions B of A lost its first place ranking and started an expensive TV ad campaign to tell all the little guys how much B of A loved doing business with them. Hit them where it hurts, keep the conversation going,
MOVE YOUR MONEY TO A CREDIT UNION!
It's our country and our money that they are stealing.

[T-BONEIMPALA]

11:39 AM on 05/10/2012

PRISON TIME FOR "BEND OVER AMERICA" CRIMINALS!

[JWebberPhoto]

10:07 AM on 05/10/2012

A few of my photos from the event. It'll take time to edit what I have, so there will be more to come in this album.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150821798017800.420496.173620627799&type=1

Note that I was late to the parade, so my photos reflect the tail end of the protest.

[phatdaddy51]

10:01 AM on 05/10/2012

thievin' bankers gettin' their comeuppance is very gratifying

but what will we do when the new chinese bankers say "i don't understand rules"
chinese bankers contributing to our election campaigns and buying our politicians
scotus needs to be impeached for selling out america

[sylvia wadlington]

10:21 AM on 05/10/2012

The Chinese will problably treat us better than our own bankers have, I'd rather take my chances with them than B of A, in fact thinking about it, Satan himself would probably give you a better deal.

[cats530]

03:36 PM on 05/10/2012

The Chinese have a very "different" way of dealing with corrupt bankers than the US does.

[oneandgone2012]

08:37 AM on 05/10/2012

Is there a final talley on arrests, ra pes, destruction of property, explosives planted?

[ken607]

08:39 AM on 05/10/2012

their is a tally of fraudulently earned profits! to the tune of 14 TRILLION!

[oneandgone2012]

08:41 AM on 05/10/2012

Any profit to a Liberal is 'fraudulently earned'.

[DevonTexas]

09:30 AM on 05/10/2012

glad I fanned you.

[JWebberPhoto]

09:59 AM on 05/10/2012

Six arrests for minor infractions. No property damage, assaults of any kind, or dangerous devices (except for one accordian, which might also be considered an assault on the ears).

Almost everyone, from protesters to cops, was pretty cool. This is Charlotte, after all.

[wanderingsalmon]

01:29 PM on 05/11/2012

Q: What's the difference between an accordian and an onion?

A: No tears are shed when finely dicing up an accordian.

[ken607]

08:32 AM on 05/10/2012

why is it that when rich ceos commit FRAUD, and they are rewarded with the title of JOB CREATORS, and are praised by their FRAUD, but when a hard working man wants BENEFITS like healthcare and a DECENT WAGE hes villified by these republicans for wanting a little more? the poor work WAY HARDER than any CEO or poloticians who complain them. remember those poloticians have atleast 4 VACATIONS A YEAR. so do CEOS. and how many do the WORKING POOR GET? 1 week if their lucky! after all we working poor dont have ELEVATORS in our garages, heck we dont even have a garage. money is your only goal, for what? most ppl want to be rich to help others. but your type of rich only want the benefits for themselves. after all do the poor get paid for days they take off? or sick? or on vacation? no we get paid only for the days we WORK. no work no eat. but then again ROMNEY hasnt worked for over TEN YEARS, and he looks pretty healthy. anyone else can notwork for ten years and buy fixer upper 10 million dollar homes? or elevators for their cars?

[Letstalkaboutit]

08:28 AM on 05/10/2012

The banks that are too big to fail, right, let them go under. Millions of loans made and then bet against themselves and made millions of more dollars. Greed and Obama let them get away with it by bailing them out with our tax dollars and now they think they can still get away with insane benefits.

[ken607]

08:43 AM on 05/10/2012

obama? no it was the REPUBLICANS and CONSERVATIVES that aalowed the DEregulations of the system.remember PHIL GRAHM? and his buddies ? arlin spector, ENSIGN. and BILL CLINTON! whom is a conservative! nice try tho tryin to blame obama. wrong as usual. when obama came to office the economy was CRASHING and now its growing slowly but IMPROVEING. but repubs are all about get rich quick schemes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! bubbles and burst!

[Letstalkaboutit]

09:19 AM on 05/10/2012

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2011/12/insane-levels-of-leverage-by-the-too-big-to-fail-banks-not-deadbeat-borrowers-caused-the-financial-crisis.htmlMY statement was OBAMA let them get away with it, read the above link to see how it happened and read my comment, regarding OBAMA saying they were too big to fail.it infuriates me when people read between the lines and think they know it all.

[mollybeejay]

09:11 AM on 05/10/2012

TARP was created in October 2008- 1 month before the election of President Obama. President Obama took office in Jan 2009.

[ken607]

08:07 AM on 05/11/2012

exactly.

[olephart]

08:15 AM on 05/10/2012

At T-Party protests some of their signs read “we left our guns at home…..this time”. Perhaps some signs at the BofA protests should read “we left our Guillotines at home……this time”.

[vonBeavis]

07:59 AM on 05/10/2012

We're gonna need a bigger plunger for this BofA.