A few dozen people are singing, holding home made signs and listening to speakers on Wall Street. No this is not the famous Wall Street in New York but the small narrow alley like street just a half block from the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. But the complaints of these protestors are similar to the ones we hear coming from similar protests in New York City. The Ohioans who are taking their messages to the streets say the banks have had their bailout and wonder when ordinary Ohioans are going to get the help they need. Peg Stansbery, a retired teacher, says government leaders need to change their policies to help people with the greatest need.
Former Ohio Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy is with the protesters at this event. Kilroy says she’s going to run for congress again and she says she wants to send a message to the leaders who are there now.
The president of the Ohio Banker’s League, Mike Van Buskirk, says jobs are important. And that’s why he says the Ohio banks he represents have been working so hard to improve local economies.
Van Buskirk says protesters need to understand there’s a big difference between investment firms on Wall Street in New York and banks on Ohio’s main streets.
The protesters say they want to make sure everyone has a chance to get good jobs, and a piece of the American dream. They plan to hold more protests in the coming weeks.