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ORGANIZED PROTESTS CREATED TO COUNTER BANKS’ REMOVAL OF FLAGS
The response to a South Carolina Bank of America branch’s decision to remove American flags from its property that were part of a funeral procession for a fallen Marine has been unanimous: People across the country are outraged.
Since breaking the story nearly two weeks ago, The Palmetto Scoop has received hundreds of emails and had even more comments left on the website. Almost every single one said Bank of America was wrong and many said they were closing their accounts with the company.
And now, there are even organized protests.
Adam Childers organized a quiet rally Friday in response to a bank manager removing small American flags placed at the sidewalk last week in memory of a fallen Marine.
Childers said he felt obligated to act to honor the sacrifice of Lance Cpl. Chris Fowlkes and many other servicemen and women.
He was joined by several people who held signs and waved flags while standing on the sidewalk at Bank of America on West Floyd Baker Boulevard.
“Bank of Where?” and “Close Your Account Now” were among the messages. One sign read, “Honk for our Troops,” and many motorists complied. “I felt like I had to do something. I had to take a stand,” Childers said.
Fowlkes died Sept. 10 in a hospital in Germany after receiving injuries in Afghanistan when he and four other military personnel encountered a roadside bomb. His body was returned to Gaffney, where a service was held — with residents lining the street, and flags distributed and displayed.
“You know this is about the flag, but it’s about Chris, too. I think Bank of America’s corporate office owes an apology to his family,” Childers said.
The controversy began Sept. 15 when Brenda Earls said the branch manager of Bank of America removed Earls’ flags placed along the sidewalk. Earls said the manager told her she was following corporate policy in order not to offend customers.
Bank of America’s corporate office released a statement within hours after Earls said the flags were removed, saying a misunderstanding had occurred. The flags were re-positioned. [Spartanburg Herald-Journal]
Since the incident, the Cherokee County Council voted to remove at least $500,000 worth of public accounts from the bank. The story has received national attention and drawn the ire of Americans everywhere.
Unfortunately, some have taken their anger too far.
“Those employees are working in fear. An armed guard is at the door because they have received threats — calls that they will be followed home and their families harmed,” one individual told the Spartanburg Herald-Journal. “They are experiencing lockdown on the job. The guard escorts them in and then out when the workday ends. They can’t even go out to lunch.”
While everyone has a right to be angry about what Bank of America did — and peaceful protests should be encouraged — no one should be threatening the safety of employees. No one.
[...] by Delta on September 30, 2009 The Palmetto Scoop, something I started reading after the Joe Wilson incident, had a facepalm worthy bit out there [...]
No argument. I closed both my personal/retirement account and my business account in protest. But no one should be threatening harm to the employees, that is unacceptable.
As a military spouse in Colorado Springs I am outraged. I have an active account that will be closed. I wish I could have travelled to South Carolina to show my support and protest. I hope Bank of America will take notice and change their “policies” to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.
What about the fact that BOA rapes its customers with increasing interest rates and closes the door on customers who need assistance and ask for help before their financial situation becomes to large to handle? I think this is a great effort and for a great reason. I just wish people would stand up and unite like this when a company takes advantage of its customers, not just when American flags are removed.
Rolling Thunder Rides Tomorrow! Oct 3! Starting at Quantico – heading South! Bikes and Cars welcome! NO VIOLENCE – I DO AGREE! Stand for the Flag. Stand for our Troops! Stand for Chris! CLOSE your account. But no threats – that is not the Military way. BoFA should fire the idiot manager that created this mess. SC is a right to work – right to fire State. She brought extreme embarrassment on this company, and cost them MILLIONS of dollars. Any other company would have axed anyone that did that – for whatever reason – not move her to another bank a town or two away!
Thanks Palmetto Scoop and FOX for getting the word out about this flap! None of the other media outlets would .
http://www.foxnews.com/search-results/m/26686951/flag-flap-follow-up.htm#q=%22bank+america%22
Ooh Rah!
PROUD Mom of an Active Duty Marine Scout Sniper
PROUD Daughter of an Army Vietnam & Korean War Vet
PROUD Sister of an Army Gulf War Vet
PROUD Niece of an Air Force Vietnam Vet
PROUD Daughter-in-Law of a WWII Army Airborne Decorated Hero
PROUD Grand-Niece of a WWI Army Decorated Hero
PROUD Grand-Niece of a WWI Marine Fallen Hero
(and I am sure there are more)
AND…. PROUD to be a FORMER Customer of Bank America !!!!!!!! Pulled out my account! So did all of those mentioned above that are still living!
On Friday evening the trustees of this museum decided to eliminate all ties, accounts, holdings with the bank of america.
The Branch In Silver City NM has a manager who regularly jousts with returning soldiers or their wives.
We are a small museum, but we feel strongly about this, and have taken action. Museum policy states we will no longer accept checks or credit cards labeled with B.ofA.
If it was the Acorn Flag or some other African Liberation Flag. whats that moron manager name .Brandy Tate ,would have left them .But American flags ,NO THEY HAVE TO BE REMOVED ,:NOW THE BULL LINE. COMPANY POLICY.DO NOT DO ANY BUSINESS WITH THESE PEOPLE. THEY ARE A TRYING TO JUSTIFY ALL THEIR CRIMINAL ACTIONS. THEY HAVE PEOPLE LIKE THIS MORON ,WORKING TO OVERTHROW THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE.
bank of where?GOD BLESS AMERICA and her HEROS, not these idiots. maybe they can move thier branch to china or russia!(without any of my money or business.