Framingham Man Protested, Arrested at Bank of America HQ

Six people, including one from Framingham, were arrested Wednesday as they tried to force their way into the annual Bank of America shareholders' meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, reported the Charlotte Observer.

500-750 of people gathered on the streets as dozens of police officers worked to contain the protest. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Major Jeff Estes said the four people who were arrested were charged with crossing a police line, a misdemeanor. He also said the protest was peaceful, according to the Charlotte Observer.

Johnny Rosa of Framingham, was one of those arrested. Rosa said before he was taken into custody his home had been foreclosed and he wanted to tell shareholders the foreclosure was wrong because he wanted to make payments, reported the Boston Herald.

He said his monthly mortgage was $1,290. But after his wife was injured and lost her job in 2010, it was tough to keep up with payments. Then when he was injured a year later, Rosa said they lost more income, reported the Associated Press.

"I called them and told them I could make payments. I could pay them some money. I asked them for more time. But they didn't listen," he said.

Rosa applied for several government programs designed to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. But he said the bank didn't work with him. This March, Rosa says his home was foreclosed, according to a report.

"All I want to do is tell them how this has hurt my family," Rosa said

“Bank of America is trying to steal Johnny’s home, but we are part of a growing movement to fight back against the banks’ gross negligence and greed. This is about Banks versus America,” said Martha Assefa, a community organizer with Worcester Anti-Foreclose Team, who traveled to Charlotte with Rosa.

“He has requested loan modifications but has repeatedly been denied by Bank of America. Brian Moynihan heard our call today to embrace principal reduction for underwater homeowners like Johnny and 11 million others. We will not be silenced and we will not stop until all of us can stay in our homes," said Assefa.

The protest was billed by its organizers as the "Showdown in Charlotte." They were protesting Bank of America's policies on foreclosures, and the bank's support of the coal industry. After gathering for nearly two hours in front of the bank building, the group marched to Bank of America Stadium to continue their protest there.