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New Batch of Protests to Target Wells Fargo
By Eduardo Barraza
BARRIOZONA
August 26, 2008
The city of Phoenix may witness the same intensity of immigration-related protests this fall as it did last year outside a
furniture store. Members of the community organizing movement called Puente (Spanish for bridge) announced today a
new series of protests that will begin the day after Labor Day, and will be held indefinitely Monday through Friday between
11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Unlike last year’s, the series of lunch-time protests will take place in Downtown Phoenix, on the sidewalk right in front of
the Wells Fargo building on Washington Street, and right below where Sheriff Arpaio’s office is located.
According to Puente, the planned protests are intended to pressure Wells Fargo to ask the County to vacate the space
occupied by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. If the banking corporation fails to do so, it may face a campaign directed
to Wells Fargo customers who will be asked to consider ceasing to bank with this financial institution.
Organizers believe that “by harboring and profiting from the Sheriff's presence in the Wells Fargo Tower, Wells Fargo is
also integrating itself to the constant violations of Human Rights that are being conducted by Sheriff Joe Arpaio, under the
guise of the 287(g) agreements and local immigration enforcement.” Puente members stated that “it is unacceptable that
Wells Fargo continue this relationship," and demanded an immediate eviction of MCSO’s staff.
Puente group individuals from various organizations who were part of the two-month protests held at Pruitt’s last fall. The
individuals who announced the new batch of protests at a press conference in front of the Wells Fargo building today,
were all part of the 2007 demonstrations. During and after the demonstrations held outside the furniture store, members
from the different groups began to meet to plan joining efforts and resources toward common goals, evolving later into the
movement called Puente.
According to information provided by organizers, Puente will be working with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network
to launch and coordinate the series of daily demonstrations.
Copyright © 2008 Hispanic Institute of Social Issues
Grassroots Journalism
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Members of Puente will begin demonstrating in Downtown Phoenix to pressure the
corporation to evict MCSO from the building tower.