The downtown Bank of America temporarily closed on Thursday as about 30 Occupy San Diego protestors staged a “teach-in.”
A bank employee said the branch on B St. closed due to safety concerns. The employee said it will open when these concerns subside.
About eight police officers were present near the circle of occupiers, who said they were holding a “teach-in,” to educate others about the current economic conditions.
The teach-in was initially scheduled to take place in Civic Center Plaza, where many of the protesters have been demonstrating since the Occupy San Diego movement began. However, protesters taking part of a march earlier in the day from San Diego City College decided to convene at the bank instead.
Many cited personal reasons for supporting the Bank of America teach-in, such as financial stress. Others spoke on a megaphone about the history of banks in the recession.
"If we continue supporting banks like Bank of America, nothing will change. We want a different future -- something new," said Cheyanne Placenza.
Placenza said that although her reasons for joining the occupation in front of Bank of America were personal, others were hoping to facilitate broader change.
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Some of the protesters were booing customers and employees walking out of the building.
