Posted on 12/11/2004 7:21:33 PM PST by occutegirl
Protesters with signs and American flags stunned a Temecula Wells Fargo bank when more than 40 protesters greeted arriving customers Saturday, December 11.
Protesters were posted on either side of the entrance/exit driveway and spilled out along the length of the sidewalk.
Signs and flags waved. Signs read:
*The Wells Fargo stagecoach is running across the border, illegally
*Did you know illegals bank here?
*Terrorists open accounts at Wells Fargo (the man with this sign dressed in a Middle Eastern costume)
Bank-goers gawked. Passing motorists honked. The Well Fargo management fumed.
Many Wells Fargo customers spoke to we protesters.
The banks that DO NOT accept the Matricula Consular ID, were listed on a flyer we had printed up, which we distributed. We spoke to customers, who approached us, about illegal aliens' usage of the Matricula Consular ID.
In short, we had the opportunity to educate the general public.
One bank manager frequently stood on the stoop of the bank, arms folded, scowling. A seasoned security guard eventually stood at attention at the bank doors.
We think it is safe to assume Wells Fargo was abuzz with talk of the protest!
Wells Fargo called the police.
An officer walked among us and told us to remain on the sidewalk, which we were, of course, doing. We were polite and courteous to the officer and told her we would comply with all laws. We thanked her.
Fifteen minutes later, Wells Fargo had another police officer come upon the scene. He too walked among us and told us we must remain on the sidewalk. And, again, we assured the officer we would follow all laws. We thanked him.
Our numbers were large enough that we fanned out and covered both sides of the street, as a Bank of America is across the street from Wells Fargo. So we were able to also protest in front of Bank of America too.
Eventually, five counter protests showed up with homemade signs. It was a local, fourth generation Mexican American family, a mother and her adult children, and two Non-Hispanic college students.
We protesters swarmed the counter protesters.
Interestingly enough, as the two groups mixed and calmed down and talked, we discovered we had much in common. The Hispanic family does not approve of MECHA. The Hispanic family, just like we protesters, stated American employers are promoting illegal immigration. The Hispanic family and we protesters agreed that both the Mexican and U.S. governments are to blame for illegal immigration.
The Hispanic family and we protesters found common ground and we ended up on friendly terms!
The protest was a great success. We will be holding future bank protests and will keep you posted on dates and locations. Hope you can join us!
I think I over reacted to this post, but somehow I still feel uneasy knowing my folks deal with this bank. I think all banks have good and bad faults, so I guess I will just stay tuned and see what more comes up in the posts concerning this subject. Grassontop
Can you post the list of banks that do not accept that ID?
I'm looking for a refinance to drop Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, that list will save me some research time since it's already put together.
I understand your reaction. There are many people who seem to think it's just business and the illegals they hire who benefit from the border problem. That's not the case, we all benefit, even if indirectly, by lower costs. If we want to change these forces we do need to think about our daily transactions.
If Wells Fargo wants a part of the million dollar wire transfer business, whose business is it of yours to have an issue with that? It helps them employ people, it gives the hard working immigrants in this country a place to bank and it provides for their relatives back in the old country. Why the focus on these vulnerable people?
I am opposed to creating a parallel culture in this country. And I'm opposed to providing services to illegal immigrants or establishing an application process that deliberately avoids questions that might provide immediate detection. I love immigrants, I volunteer at a Catholic Hispanic center and I despise all who would seek to exploit them as they make their way in this country. But that is a completely separate issue.
Can this turn into a NATIONAL PROTEST against Bushe's Immigration policy. Find out who is hiring the Illegal's where they are living, banking and start shutting them down with walk outs and protests. Secure the borders and deport the illegal's. It can work !!
The Dimms and the Republicans JUST WILL NOT HEAR the AMERICAN People, we have no place else to go for representation in Congress: Let's see, elections 2006,
Constitutional Party,
http://www.constitutionparty.com/
America First Party,
http://www.americafirstparty.org/
Independant American Party
http://www.usiap.org/
The American Party
http://www.theamericanparty.org/
Every I-9 I've ever had someone fill out had a line where I signed to witness that a legitimate SSCard, Passport or birth certificate had been provided.You are really off point and apparently unfamiliar with the cultural history of this country.
I just started a new job and had to produce a Social Security card or a US Passport.... They took a copy of my passport...
Is that because I'm blonde, blue-eyed and speak reasonable English? Why can they ask ME for this information and not someone who doesn't have it?
ping
how so? perhaps even us natives need a little of your Robert Byrd indoctrination?
bttt
I agree, let's ask Save our State about Orange County and maybe Redondo Beach?
We closed our accounts at Wells Fargo long ago.
SURVEY: We found fourteen financial institutions (Banks and Credit Unions) in the area that stated they DO NOT ACCEPT the Matricula Consular card as ID to open an account.
California Coast Credit Union
Community National Bank
First Financial Federal Credit Union
Guaranty Bank
Lockheed Federal Credit Union.
Mission Oaks National Bank
Orange County Teachers Federal Credit Union
Pacific Trust Bank
Point Loma Credit Union
Provident Bank
San Diego County Credit Union
Southwest Community Bank
Temecula Valley Bank
World Savings
If your bank is not listed here, it is highly likely that they do accept the
Matricula Consular Card as ID. Be advised, our survey was extensive. We found seventeen financial institutions in the area that stated they do accept the Matricula Consular card as ID to open an account.
You mean Tijuana norte? Wouldn't do any good because no one speaks English in that town anymore.
Yeah!!
Do you speak Spanish? I would love for you to accompany me to the Hispanic Center tomorrow and call me a racist and anti-immigrant.
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