Update on Pressure on BoA on unemployment benefits

Thousands of you responded powerfully to our demand that Brian
Moynihan, Bank of America CEO, start publicly demanding unemployment
benefits extensions. The petition--and the comments--are here:

Brian Moynihan, what are you doing about unemployment
benefits?!

Here are just a few of the comments:

Robert Stover: "I'm a just laid off Furniture Salesman. I'm 65.Things
look pretty bleak here in High Point N.C.If I can't find something I
guess I'll have to draw unemployment for the first time."



Olivia Booth: "I am out of work for many months and I am waiting for the
Senate to pass the extension. If it doesn't, I will have to go on
welfare. Shame on anybody who has done this to the good working people
of America!"



John Martinez: "My unemployment is running out and I need help. We
helped your bank with our tax money. Now, Pony up!"



Kurt Steinberg: "I am one of the 99ers who has lost his unemployment
benefits. I am now living in a homeless shelter in Memphis, TN. Thanks
for nothing Republicans. You speak as people who've never been homeless
speak."



Jennifer Perughini: "There are many more of us who are unemployed but
not counted. We slip through the cracks. Please consider the small
assistance that unemployment checks provide for families."

So the good news: the Senate will vote Tuesday on the emergency
extension of unemployment benefits!



The bill should pass at this point, but all pressure is important.
Moynihan met with Obama (and Bill Clinton) yesterday, and hasn't told
anyone what he said--I hope that someone at BofA told him that there
are thousands of angry people who are holding him responsible. Moynihan
is still publicly silent on unemployment. We have written five of
their executives, including three PR people, on behalf of the thousands
of people who have signed our petition, and gotten no response.



We know in the long term we need to break up these too big to fail, too
arrogant, too irresponsible, too powerful banks--and in the short term,
we need to get under their skin so they start using their power to help
the people who this terrible economy has hurt.

After this bill passes, we'd like start advocating for the
"99ers"--people who have been unemployed for over 99 weeks, looking for
work, and are ineligible for benefits. The louder we are now, prior to
the vote next week, the better we'll be placed to fight for the 99ers.



If you haven't already, please add your voice here:

Brian Moynihan, what are you doing about unemployment
benefits?!



Thanks! Break up the banks!

- Tiffiniy, Donny, Zephyr

A New Way Forward

www.anewwayforward.org