As thousands rally against the big banks, GOP and bankers still playing footsy--and lining each other's pockets

Online ads to begin airing TODAY in Missouri and DC

Washington, DC--On the heels of a large rally in Kansas City's financial district, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) today released online ads taking aim at the cozy relationship between Wall Street bankers and Missouri Senate hopeful Roy Blunt. Called One Hand Washes the Other," the ad, which starts today, is running in Missouri and in Washington, DC.

It can be viewed at: http://action.seiu.org/page/s/wallstblunt.

In March, at a meeting of the American Bankers' Association, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) directly told bankers who had asked how they could change the agenda, "What you can do is elect more Republicans to the U.S. Senate, that would help immensely." He asked each of the attendees to send $10,000 to Roy Blunt, a former House leader who is now running for Senate as a Republican in Missouri.

"For Republicans, it's the same tired playbook: Take money from the Wall Street bigshots whose reckless actions crashed our economy, then block Wall Street reform in Congress," said SEIU Political Director Jon Youngdahl. "I'm guessing the Missouri working families whose homes were foreclosed on or whose credit card rates were jacked up by the big banks can think of a few better ways to spend $10,000 than by giving it to Roy Blunt's campaign."

The ads come the same week as massive demonstrations and rallies are being held across the country in opposition to the big banks. On Tuesday, thousands of clergy, workers, families, and community allies marched on the Wells Fargo shareholder meeting in San Francisco and in the heart of Kansas City's financial district today to demand Wall Street banks act to stop foreclosures, promote job creation, and end predatory lending and abusive consumer practices. Families also demanded Wall Street stop spending millions to fight reform efforts in Congress.

This morning, hundreds of protesters marched on the Bank of America shareholder meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina. And Thursday, thousands will stage a massive march on Wall Street itself.

Script for the ad is below.

SEIU

"One Hand Washes The Other"

4.26.10

OPEN ON A SIMPLE INDUSTRIAL SINK, WE SEE A PAIR OF HANDS ENTER FRAME AND TURN ON THE TAPS.

AVO: One hand washes the other. That's pretty much what a top Republican Senator told a meeting of American bankers as he asked them for 10 thousand dollars apiece for Roy Blunt.

CUT TO THE HANDS SCRUBBING WITH SOAP UNDER THE FAUCET. THE SOAP LATHERS.

AVO: He said you look after us, we'll look after you. But nobody's looking after the millions of Missourians now in a recession because of Wall Street's reckless behavior. And that's dirty.

THE LATHER WASHES AWAY REVEALING THE HANDS ARE STILL FILTHY.

AVO: Missourians need a Senator on their side, not Wall Street's. Tell Roy Blunt to come clean.

HAND WIPES BLACK STUFF ALL OVER A CLEAN WHITE TOWEL. THEY'RE STILL FILTHY.

AVO: SEIU COPE is responsible for the content of this ad

End Card Graphic: Paid for by SEIU COPE, seiu.org. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

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