By California Labor Federation Communications Intern Becca Green

On Tuesday, an unprecedented coalition of labor, faith and community groups came together on the streets of San Francisco with one goal: to stop Wall Street’s corporate greed. Nearly 1,000 Californians marched to the Wells Fargo corporate shareholders meeting in order to hold the big bank accountable for its role in the loss of 5 million homes and 8 million jobs during the economic meltdown.

Rev. Dr. Mario Howell, clergy leader with Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization and the PICO National Network:

The business model of big banks seems to be to make money from squeezing their customers and Wall Street gambling without producing anything of value. It’s time banks become part of making the economy work, not just profiting off of our hard times.

Outside the shareholders meeting, speakers told the crowd their stories of how Wells Fargo foreclosed on their homes, profited from their inability to make ends meet, and denied them loans based solely on their race. Inside the meeting, a delegation addressed the shareholders and demanded that the bank end its practice of predatory and discriminatory lending, do it’s part to help struggling families keep their homes and stop lobbying against federal financial reform.

The march was part of a coordinated effort to bring Main Street to Wall Street and demand accountability from the big banks responsible for the downfall of millions of American families. Workers across the country are mounting protests against Wall Street’s Big Six banks; many of the protests will also coincide with the bank’s shareholders meetings.

Tomorrow, a massive march and rally on Wall Street in New York City is expected to draw 10,000 marchers and nearly as many “virtual marchers.” To join Thursday’s virtual march on Wall Street, click here. For the latest on the AFL-CIO’s Good Jobs Now—Make Wall Street Pay mobilization, click here.