General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums13 arrested as 200 march on Wells Fargo in MN demanding fair banking practices
check out the pictures on the links, I can't seem to figure out how to post them.
http://www.occupyhomesmn.org/
Today was living proof that the housing justice movement is alive and well. It's inspiring to see people from so many communities--Somali families trying to send money home, security guards on strike, college students, neighbors reclaiming their neighborhood from crime and blight, even Wells Fargo employees--all coming together to stand for a change to Wells Fargos practices, said Anthony Newby, executive director of Neighborhoods Organizing for Change (NOC). Minnesota deserves better, and its time Wells Fargo stepped up to the challenge.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/occupyhomesmn/8515005402/in/photostream/
The march, organized by Occupy Homes MN, Neighborhoods Organizing for Change, and allies from faith and labor communities, began at the home of Gayle Lindsey, fighting her foreclosure with Occupy Homes and her neighbors in the Foreclosure and Eviction Free Zone. It proceeded to Jessica Englishs reclaimed vacant home, which had been abandoned by Wells Fargo and turned into a drug house. Jessica, a single mom of four experiencing homelessness, has rehabilitated the house with Occupy Homes as a place to raise her children.
As a homeless mom, its sickening to see all the vacant homes Wells Fargo owns that attract crime in Minneapolis, Jessica told the crowd. Wells Fargo abandoned this home, letting it turn into a drug house that brought blight on the community. Now the community has come together to welcome my family home and demand that Wells Fargo turn over vacant homes to community control for affordable housing. We are restoring what Wells Fargo destroyed.
From there, the crowd of 200 took the streets and marched through the gates of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, where they were joined by a heavy police presence. They brought 20 bags of trash cleaned up from their neglected vacant home, demanding Wells Fargo clean up their own mess. They rallied in front of the building where Patrick Russell, an employee at the Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Center, came down to join the crowd and to speak out against his employer. I know people whove been stuck in prisons that Wells Fargo owns, seen communities wracked by poverty, homes foreclosed on, to stand vacant like weeping sores, said Patrick. It is embarrassing to see that Wells Fargo as an institution has been so unwilling to work to rebuild our communities, but if thats the case, maybe its time for the individuals within Wells Fargo to step forward.
The crowd then continued to the 26th Street bridge over I-35W, where internationally renowned hip-hop artist Brother Ali performed from the back of a pickup truck. After about 20 minutes, police moved in to ask the crowd to disperse. Thirteen sat in the middle of the road linking arms in an act of civil disobedience, and were arrested.
Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)patrice
(47,992 posts)annm4peace
(6,119 posts)If anyone can figure out how to post the pictures of this event please do so.
there is also a great video of one the employees of Wells Fargo coming out to speak to the crowd but I can't figure that out either.
uggg.. maybe I can figure it out tomorrow
laundry_queen
(8,646 posts)annm4peace
(6,119 posts)I wish I could get the pictures to post.
It was a great coalitions of groups. These actions just don't stop
annm4peace
(6,119 posts)Occupy Homes had a full day last Wed. of dramatic demonstrations that culminated in 13 arrests in a sit-in at Wells Fargo. Mary Murphy was moved to describe the events:
Last Wednesday, Feb 27th, I participated in two events in a week of actions against Wells Fargo Bank's unjust home foreclosure policies.
The first event was a mid morning march and rally at Macalester College. I was pleased with a solid turnout of yellow union stocking caps, and Occupy Homes T-shirts- under heavy layers. It was COLD!
Occupy Macalester is pressuring the school's administration to divest from Wells Fargo. The 5 speakers were eloquent and to the point... Wells Fargo MUST be held accountable for its inexcusable treatment of homeowners.
Later that afternoon I joined a crowd of close to 200 people at Gayle Lindsey's home in Central Minneapolis. Folks were revved up despite the ongoing cold. Sandwiches and brownies circulated while people signed in and listened to fired up speeches by homeowners, union folks, Occupiers, NOC leaders, and others.
From Gayle's we marched en masse to a nearby vacant house now occupied by homeless mom Jessica English and her family. Police cars accompanied us front and back since they were forewarned of the march. [Police had boarded up the house, but there are plans to stand up to that.]
Jessica delivered a rousing and heart felt send off for our 8 block trek to Wells Fargo. We crossed the front of the property and assembled by the parking ramp in front of the 26th street entry. Plenty of police were on hand but they didn't hassle us as we chanted, gave speeches, delivered a petition to a bank representative who came outside to receive it, and dumped off 20 bags of trash from a week's cleaning at Jessica's...all the while exchanging exuberant waves with bank employees in upstairs windows!!!! "COME ON DOWN" we shouted!
One of them actually did! Occupier Patrick Russell, currently employed by Wells Fargo, had the courage to leave the building and deliver a riveting speech in solidarity with the marchers. You couldn't help tear up. [see speech below] Shortly thereafter the crowd spread on to the 26th street freeway overpass, while Brother Ali belted out serious rap from the flatbed of a truck. Traffic was of course all fouled up for an hour, but no question, Wells Fargo received a message.
Eventually the cops cracked down, and ordered demonstrators onto the sidewalks, while 13 people, seated on the ground, locked arms in the middle of the street- in an outward facing circle, ready for arrest, handcuffs, and the ever present paddy wagon. Three Macalester women were among the arrestees, as well as Ty Moore and some union people I didn't know. I am told they were held until 2:00am in freezing cells with no food. Good news is that they were not roughed up in the past style of Dolan's troops.
Overall, it was a well organized, impressive, and motivating day and week of action. We came away feeling more sure than ever that without fail, we need to speak up and act up for the kind of world we envision. Mary Murphy
Patrick Russells speechmoving 9 min. video of Wells Fargo :