Immigrant Rights Groups to Celebrate Partial Wells Fargo Divestment in Private Prisons, Expose Duplicity of “Immigrant-Friendly” Bank

For Immediate Release: November 7, 2012
Contact: Liz Hamel, 785-383-215  liz@rap-dpt.org
***MEDIA ADVISORY***
Immigrant Rights Groups to Celebrate Partial Wells Fargo Divestment in Private Prisons, Expose Duplicity of “Immigrant-Friendly” Bank
New Reports Detail Wells Fargo’s Financial Ties to Private Prisons and Extensive Marketing Strategies to Latino Immigrants
DENVER METRO AREA – Since July of 2011, Colorado immigrant rights groups have campaigned against Wells Fargo Bank as part of the National Prison Divestment Campaign, demanding that corporations stop profiting from the incarceration of immigrants and other communities.

New national reports released by National People’s Action and the Public Accountability Initiative provide factual details as to exactly how Wells Fargo is financially connected to the prison industry’s two largest corporations, GEO Group Inc. and Corrections Corporation of America (CCA). The second report exposes Wells Fargo’s extensive inside marketing strategies to appeal to the Latino immigrant community.

Recently, SEC filings revealed that Wells Fargo has divested a significant portion of its stocks in GEO Group Inc. Local groups are pleased to announce this victory which proves the power of communities fighting to make change. However, groups vow that this is just one positive step and that the fight must continue.

A Colorado Wells Fargo Executive will receive a Civil Rights Award on Thursday; this is a huge concern to immigrant community members who are still calling for Wells Fargo to live up to its claims of being a community, Latino, and immigrant friendly bank and do the right thing. Groups will come together this Thursday to celebrate the victory, release report findings, and urge Wells Fargo decision-makers to divest the rest.

WHAT:           Press Conference / Release of Report Findings
WHEN:           Thursday, November 8
12:00 pm
WHERE:        Wells Fargo Bank
9000 E. Colfax Ave (Colfax & Akron), Aurora CO
WHO:            Local Immigrant Rights Groups including:

Rights for All People (RAP)
Politically Active Ztudents (PAZ)
Coloradans for Immigrant Rights, A Project of the American Friends
Service Committee

Ally Organizations

Concerned Community Members, including Immigrants, Students,
and Faith Leaders
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