SEIU protests Wells Fargo over political contributions, immigration [PHOTOS]

By Gregory Pratt Sat., Oct. 15 2011 at 8:23 PM

SEIU protested political contributions, anti-immigrant politics at Wells Fargo.

SEIU Local 26 led a protest at Wells Fargo Saturday afternoon demanding an end to Wells Fargo's support of private prison and anti-immigrant politicians.

The event's organizers argue that Wells Fargo invites immigrants into its banks with Spanish-language marketing campaigns but betrays them by giving money to anti-immigrant politicians and owning stock in private prison companies.

"Let's call them what they are," said Gerardo Cajamarca, a janitor. "We're standing here in front of the hypocrites."

SEIU signed a letter last month addressed to Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf and Wells Fargo Minnesota CEO David Kvamme asking them for a meeting to discuss Wells Fargo's policies.

The letter asked that Wells Fargo stop contributing to anti-immigrant politicians, divest from CCA and The GEO Group, another leading private prison company, and give more loan modifications to working immigrants, which the SEIU says is a major constituency for Wells Fargo.

Minneapolis police officers were on hand to keep the scene under control.

Two buses of protesters totaling around 50 people arrived at the Wells Fargo branch on Lake and Hiawatha around 12:30. A handful went inside the building and were immediately shoved out by police officers, but most of the demonstrators stayed outside the branch.

"Immigrants in Minnesota have trusted Wells Fargo for decades but rather than help us build strong communities Wells Fargo has supported anti-immigrant politicians like Michele Bachmann and [Congressman] John Kline," said Zenon Delgado, a Bolivian-born maintenance worker.

The group was calm and orderly, and dispersed after about half an hour.

Zenon Delgado says Michele Bachmann doesn't deserve Wells Fargo's money.

Gerardo Cajamarca says Wells Fargo is hypocritical.

Tags:

David Kvamme, Gerardo Cajamarca, John Kline, John Stumpf, Michele Bachmannn, Minneapolis Police, SEIU, SEIU 26, Wells Fargo Bank, Zenon Delgado

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E K

There is a difference between "anti-immigration" and "anti-illegal immigration", you know.

trex

I'm remembering why I stopped reading this paper. "A handful went inside the building and were immediately shoved out by police officers, but most of the demonstrators stayed outside the branch."

What probably happened is that a bunch of protesters on private property were asked to leave and refused to. They did not have permission to protest inside the bank and their actions were bothering legitimate customers at the bank. Further, the actions harassed the bank employees and were not appropriate to the Time/Manner/Place restrictions constitutionally allowed on protests. Therefore, the police were called and escorted them back to the sidewalk. Those who resisted were sent more forcefully than others.

M S

I was at this protest. I am not a member of SEIU, nor am I an immigrant - I'm simply someone who is curious to learn more about the issues. I can assure you that "A handful went inside the building and were immediately shoved out by police officers, but most of the demonstrators stayed outside the branch" is EXACTLY what happened. The protesters respectfully kept their distance from the immediate surroundings of the building to give customers space to come and leave. When the protesters were asked to leave, they did so. There is video of the police becoming physical with protesters that were merely standing by. As a born and raised American, I have a lot of respect for the police officers that put their lives on the line to protect us everyday, but the police behavior I witnessed that day truly disgusted me. I only hope that what I saw was the exception and not the rule.

Johnny

So we have a public employees union 'protesting' against a company that is behaving within the laws as passed by elected legislators and Congress and signed into law by elected executives?

Csnord

Wells Fargo has the right to give their support to any group or persons they wish. The illegal aliens are a plague of locusts consuming everything in their path and demanding all the rights of citizenship without the obligations thereof. They breed crime, drain our resources and cause no end of trouble to any business that doesn't agree with them. I say this: Illegal immigrants unite!! And GO HOME!

Grood

Baaaa . . .

trex

humbug.

Mn Voter

You need a disclaimer that SEIU is in competition with WF with their own bank:1199 SEIU Federal Credit Union310 W. 43rd St.New York, NY 10036Fax: (212) 767-1732

SEIU charges a dollar for every transaction. Maybe SEIU needs to cut that to a dime instead of stealing the money of the working poor. Shame on SEIU! Tell the truth SEIU!