Los Angeles, CA - Activists from Alliance of California for Community Empowerment, homeowners and Occupy Fights Foreclosures activists gathered on the intersection of 7th Street and Figueroa Street for a Day of Action Against Wells Fargo bank, at 10:30am in Downtown Los Angeles on February 27. The activists' plan for the Day of Action was to shut down four Wells Fargo bank branches around Los Angeles area. This Day of Action was organized by ACCE and supported by Occupy Fights Foreclosures activists. Carlos Marroquin, a core member of Occupy Fights Foreclosures said "we organized this day of action against Wells Fargo bank because Wells Fargo refuses to work with the families. Wells Fargo continues to mislead homeowners while many other banks are already working with the families".
At 11:am activists marched to Wells Fargo branch located on the intersection of Figueroa Street and Olympic Blvd. Activists went inside the branch demanding the branch manager to Fax the letter of their demands to the CEO of Wells Fargo bank, John Stumpf. The protesters refused to leave the building until they saw the proof that their Fax being send. An activist from ACCE and a core organizer for the Day of Action Against Wells Fargo bank Melvina Bogan said "We are not leaving here until you Fax that letter to the CEO". Activists continued chanting "Fax that letter, Fax that letter…". After about 15 minutes the letter was faxed and protesters peacefully left the bank, chanting "we'll be back, we'll be back…"
The activists moved on to the next Wells Fargo branch located on Wilshire Blvd. and Lucas Street. By the time they arrived to the location, the branch already was closed for business. Protesters marched in a circle in front of the bank chanting " Hey Wells Fargo , what do you say, How many homes did you steal today?" The activists marched and chanted for about 20 minutes and moved on to Wells Fargo History Museum on 333 South Grand Avenue. The protesters marched in a circle chanting outside of Wells Fargo History Museum that was already locked down by the time they arrived there. Melvina Bogan said "There are marchers today all over the State of California from ACCE and Occupy groups . We are here today to let you know, Wells Fargo, that we are homeowners and we are not going to take it any longer…we are demanding that you listen to all of our voices!"
The fourth and the last branch that activists visited was Wells Fargo branch on North Hill Street between Bernard and College Streets in Chinatown. The branch was also closed for business at the time protesters arrived. Activists and homeowners once again chanted and marched in a circle in front of the bank. At the end of the Day of Action against Wells Fargo bank , Melvina Bogas said " I think we had an excellent showing today and we are going to be doing this throughout a month of March". Protesters shouted "Power to the People!".
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| ACCE activist, Melvina Bogan gives a speech inside Wells Fargo Bank branch on Figueroa Street and Olympic Blvd. |
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| Protesters hold their signs inside Wells Fargo bank |
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| Unidentified activist holds a sign inside Wells Fargo bank |
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| Harolyn Rhue holds her sign inside Wells Fargo bank during a protest |
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| Activists and homeowners leave Wells Fargo bank |
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| Activists and homeowners protest outside Wells Fargo bank branch on Figueroa Street and Olympic Blvd. |
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| Los Angeles Police Officers overlook the protest outside Wells Fargo bank branch on Figueroa Street and Olympic Blvd. |
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| Carlos Marroquin (right) speaks to head of the security at Wells Fargo bank, Charles Duncan (left). |
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| Protesters march in front of Wells Fargo Bank branch on a corner of Wilshire Blvd. and Lucas Street |
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| Unidentified protesters hold their signs in front of Wells Fargo bank. |
Homeowner, Maria Garcia takes a rest during A Day of Action against Wells Fargo bank protest
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| Activists and homeowners protest outside Wells Fargo bank |
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| Protesters march to Wells Fargo History Museum on 333 Grand. |
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| Activists march in a circle outside of Wells Fargo History Museum |
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| Alicia Ramirez (left) and Maria Garcia (right) march in front of Wells Fargo History Museum |
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| A homeowner, Beverly Roberts, holds her sign and marches during a protest outside of Wells Fargo History Museum. |
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| Protester hold a sign |
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| The Homeowners take a rest in front of Wells Fargo History Museum |
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| Activists march in a circle outside Wells Fargo branch on North Hill Street in Chinatown |
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| John Romero holds a sign outside Wells Fargo bank |
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| Protesters march in a circle chanting "What do we want,?J Justice! when do we want it? Now!" |
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| Protester hold their signs and march in front of Wells FArgo bank on North Hill Street in Chinatown. |
From left to right: Homeowners, Diana Hines, Richard Castaldo and Harolyn Rhue hold their signs in front of Wells Fargo Bank branch on N. Hill Street in Chinatown.
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| Officers Stabile (right) and Nieves (left) overlook the protest |
We hit four Wells Fargo bank branches and it was a very successful day!! Many, many people were witnesses and heard the message...and will be thinking and asking themselves questions whenever they hear about OFF and about foreclosures and evictions! Mission accomplished that way. The banks and the police were also put on notice that we are still very alive and very well, and will be continuing to fight against the injustice they are a part of and also part of the problem!
ReplyDeleteYou should organized marchs in every single Wells Fargo branch so people around the neighborhood take their moneys away of that greedy Bank
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