Occupy takes on Wells Fargo with Dr. Seuss

It seems that drama and Occupy Philly go together like green eggs and ham.

The group returned Thursday after a long winter of planning and organizing to perform its Dr. Seuss-inspired "The Fat Cat in the Hat: A Wells Fargo Unfair-y Tale."

Using a rhyme scheme similar to the iconic author's, the "street theater" chronicled Occupy's feud with Wells Fargo, which had 14 of its members arrested in November during a sit-in.

"We're asking who the real criminals are: concerned citizens who want to reveal corruption or banks using predatory, racist loans that force families out of their homes," said Aaron Torisi, the performance's organizer.

The play, which was performed outside of three of the banks's branches in Center City, bases its accusations on a complaint filed against Wells Fargo by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.

The complaint alleges that the bank marketed mortgage loans with low monthly payments to African Americans in poor neighborhoods, only to increase the payments after the "teaser period" ended. Unable to afford the loans, these borrowers lost their homes to foreclosure much faster than white borrowers, according to the commission.

"This is about bringing the harmful actions of Wells Fargo in this city to light and educating its citizens on what needs to be done," said Torisi.

And because finance isn't exactly easy to grasp, Torisi and Occupy value the simplicity of street theater.

"Putting important issues into verses that even a child could understand makes it easier for people to grasp our mission and why we're trying to effect change," he said.

Wells Fargo wasn't exactly interested.

"Our focus isn't on what [Occupy is] saying, but on the needs and concerns of our customers," said Barbara Nate, a spokesperson for the bank. "We're doing all that we can to address them."

Contact Vinny Vella at 215-854-5926 or vellav@phillynews.com.