By Nathan Duke
Taylor shouted “What do we want?” into a loudspeaker and more than 100 PS 111 students, their parents and teachers and Queensbridge residents responded “a bank!” The minister led the procession from PS 111 to the Center of Hope International at 40th Avenue, where elected officials and Taylor spoke to the crowd, which completely filled the building.
More than 1,000 people have signed a petition to get a bank near Queensbridge since residents must now walk more than 15 minutes to get to the nearest bank or use local check-cashing businesses that charge lofty percentages, a spokesman for Gioia's office said. Students carried signs that read “Queensbridge wants a bank” and “Economic justice now for Queensbridge.”
“Across the street from Queensbridge Houses, there are two place that represent this community- a liquor store and a check-cashing place,” Taylor said. “In order to build economic stability in the community, you need a financial institution.”
