The Colorado Progressive Coalition and Rights for All People say they will march at 4 p.m. today from the Tivoli Student Union, 900 Auraria Parkway, to the Wells Fargo Bank branch at 16th and Blake streets. The coalition said it’s protesting Wells Fargo’s lending and foreclosure practices.
The march, organizers say, caps a week of protest against the bank as part of a national economic boycott for the lending institution’s alleged failure to lend to small businesses, to act to alleviate the foreclosure crisis by modifying loans and for its investment in the private-prison industry.
On Thursday, protesters were joined by Occupy Denver as they attempted to enter the lobby of the Wells Fargo building at 1740 Broadway.
Police stopped them before they could enter the lobby so the group settled into the foyer.
They put down a table, chair, couch and a lounge chair and began marching around the furniture with brooms, mops and a sweeper.
The idea was to set up a residence in a bank that has foreclosed on many homeowners, said Vicki Dillard, of the Colorado Progressive Coalition.
One person was arrested trying to get into the lobby. A SWAT team stood outside the bank but there were no other incidents.
Wells Fargo issued a statement in reponse to protests earlier this week: “We recognize that times are tough and Americans are demanding more from financial institutions. We’ve always welcomed open, collaborative dialogue on ways we can improve and better serve our customers.”
