Today, Vanderbilt's chapter of Youth for Western Civilization protested Wachovia Bank and its parent company Wells Fargo.
Students from the chapter lined West End Avenue, the main street in Nashville, and urged drivers to honk their horns to let Wachovia know their feelings about the proper use of TARP funds.
The group was lined along the road so that drivers would read their signs over time. The main message read: "You Pay/Taxes/They Pay/ACORN/Tell Them STOP/Honk Your Horn". The final sign was right in front of Wachovia, much to the displeasure of the bank's manager, who told the students they were not allowed to protest on private property; unfortunately for him, sidewalks are not private property!
Overall, the protest was received well by Nashvillians, chapter vice president Trevor Williams said, "I would say a good portion of those who drove by honked or gave a thumbs-up in support of us." During the protest, drivers of all stripes showed their support. A fire truck, an ambulance, and even a hearse honked for the demonstrators.
Michael Gadebusch, secretary of the chapter, felt the protest shed light on a relevant, bipartisan issue. "Protesting ACORN is an important matter. At this point, most Americans realize that this isn't a Republican or Democratic issue. This is a corrupt, government-funded program that runs counter to American standards of moral decency."
The chapter coupled their protest with a letter to the CEO of Wells Fargo, Wachovia's parent company, demanding a pledge to cease support for ACORN.
Listen to the radio interview about the protest here: Wachovia Protest Radio Interview
Check out our photo gallery from the protest here: Wachovia Protest Gallery.
