Boycott Wells Fargo!

BY ED FELIEN

On Mother’s Day the People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign (PEHRC) held a press conference and rally to support families resisting evictions.  It was held in front of 3221 Bloomington Ave. S., a duplex owned by James Blair and his mother.  James Blair worked for decades at Hennepin County as
a social worker.  He has been in default for six months on his mortgage to Wells Fargo.  Due to a medical disability, he is applying for early retirement compensation. 

He has decided to resist eviction. On the Monday following Mother’s Day, May 11, Cheri Honkala and members of PEHRC went with Mr. Blair to see a loan officer at the Wells Fargo Mortgage offices at 28th Street and 4th Avenue.  After sitting in the Wells Fargo office for four hours, with children in tow, and threatening to set up a tent city, the senior vice president in charge of loan servicing agreed to meet with James Blair at 9 a.m. the next day. 

When he met with him, he told him the loan would not be re-negotiated and he would be evicted. When asked about this by Southside Pride, Cheri Honkala said, “It is clear that Wells Fargo doesn’t give a damn about Mr. Blair.  Taxpayers have given billions to Wells Fargo and this is how they treat us.  It’s time for people to boycott Wells Fargo.  If you have money in Wells Fargo, take it out!  And call them and tell them why you’re doing it.” The City County Federal Credit Union is open to all residents of Minnesota. It has branches at 913 E. Franklin Ave. and 4701 Chicago Ave., and it has ATM machines in Walgreens at 3207 E. Lake St. and Target at 2500 E. Lake St.

For more information on upcoming MN Poor People’s Economic Human Rights
Campaign volunteer meetings and ways to support those fighting evictions due to foreclosures go to http://mnppehrc.wordpress.com or call 612-821- 2364.