Taxpayers Say 'Over Our Dead Bodies' to Bailout

WHEN: 12 p.m., Monday, September 29

WHERE: Outside Cannon Building, Independence and New Jersey Ave., House of Representatives, Washington DC

Representatives of different sectors of society-health care workers, teachers, construction workers, professionals-will hold a press conference to denounce the bailout bill. With the message, "Bailout? Over my dead body!" they will stage a die-in on the steps of the Cannon Building and along the route Congresspeople use to enter the Capitol to cast their votes.

Organized by CODEPINK, the group will represent the outrage that the public feels about the bailout. "Congress will be voting on the biggest give-away of our tax dollars to the financial sector in our nation's history," says CODEPINK cofounder Medea Benjamin. "Despite their efforts to portray this as a compromise bill that helps both Wall St. and Main St., in reality it represents an appalling transfer of wealth upward. It's time for a taxpayers revolt against this mind-boggling Wall St. swindle."

"We teachers sacrifice to equip our classrooms with books, struggling to pay our mortgages and healthcare while reckless Wall Street speculators are bailed out with our tax dollars," says former Texas school teacher Desiree Fairooz. "I feel betrayed by Congress."

CODEPINK calls on Congress to reject the very Wall St. financiers who brought on the crisis. "Congress should stand up for the well-being of average Americans, not the bank accounts of billionaires," says Benjamin.