Something powerful is taking root in Richmond. The Richmond Ceasefire/Lifelines to Healing movement is growing stronger each day. CCISCO leaders and our allies have held dozens of small group meetings in congregations, schools, businesses and homes attended by over 470 Richmond residents in the past two months. Dozens of clergy have begun meeting each month to help anchor our movement and clergy and community leaders are walking the Richmond neighborhoods most impacted by violence each Friday evening to bring the message of Ceasefire/Lifelines to Healing: we want everyone in our community to be alive and free!

IN THE MEDIA:

Richmond Pulse – Walking the Streets to Bring the Peace

The reaction to the powerful community action in July has resulted in major progress on a critical priority for the Safe Return Project.  The City of Richmond and City Manager Bill Lindsay have moved forward with addressing a barrier to employment for Richmond residents returning home from incarceration.  Starting this month, the city's application form will no longer feature a check-off box asking if the applicant has ever been convicted of a crime.

The change is the first step in a campaign to “ban the box” in Richmond – the box in question being the one that people with a criminal record must check when they apply for jobs and housing, and benefits from food stamps to student loans.

Advocates argue that the ubiquitous question about criminal history is an unfair – and often insurmountable — barrier for people returning to their communities after serving time in prison, ultimately adding a sentence to the one already served, increasing the chance of recidivism and placing a burden on families, communities and law enforcement.

“A person with a job is less likely to reoffend,” said Jeff Rutland, an organizer with the Safe Return project, a group of Richmond advocates, all of whom have served prison time themselves. Safe Return was launched in 2010 by the Richmond Office of Neighborhood Safety, Pacific Institute and CCISCO, which trained Richmond residents who have experienced incarceration to become community researchers and advocate and organize for policy reforms to reduce recidivism and help residents reintegrate into the broader community.

IN THE MEDIA: 

Oakland Tribune – Richmond to Ease Hiring of Ex-Criminals

Richmondd Confidential - Richmond Moves to Ban the Box

CCISCO leaders and our allies in PICO National Network and the New Bottom Line campaign and the Occupy movements launched a powerful coordinated campaign which has moved billions of dollars out of Wall Street Banks across the country.  On Monday, November 7, dozens of clergy and hundreds of CCISCO leaders packed into St. Ignatius Church to celebrate the progress of this movement.  Nearly two years ago, St. Ignatius helped to lead the call to divest from Bank of America to protest their failure to keep families in their homes.  Their work has helped to spark a movement that is transforming the country.  At the action, leaders called on Contra Costa County to introduce a responsible banking policy and State Senator Mark DeSaulnier committed to keep fighting for statewide responsible banking legislation.

“When we come together we can create great change,” stated Fr. Robert Rien, pastor of St. Ignatius and CCISCO leader.  “Two years ago many of our congregations began to come together to hold banks accountable—we have helped to spark a movement that is changing the country—we’ve locked arms and challenged the greed of large Wall Street Banks.  We’ve marched together, we’ve closed our accounts in protest of their practices, we’ve occupied shareholder meetings and bank lobbies.  We have even gone to jail to stand up for our values.”

In just one week since launching the “Move Our Money” campaign, everyday Americans, congregations, community groups and even millionaire businessmen aligned with The New Bottom Line, closed accounts worth almost $50 million at Bank of America and other Wall Street banks. The New Bottom Line plans to move $1 billion from Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase and other big banks to community banks and credit unions to hold Wall Street accountable and invest in institutions that support local communities. 

While the launch of the Move Our Money campaign coincided with Bank Transfer Day on November 5, this week was just the beginning of The New Bottom Line’s efforts to divest $1 billion from Bank of America and other Wall Street banks.  The New Bottom Line is continuing to:

• Support and work with community groups, congregations, unions, and other organized groups that want to move their money. The New Bottom Line is providing a toolkit for groups at www.newbottomline.com/move_our_money.  More clergy will announce they are divesting congregation funds from the big banks next week.

• Introduce 50+ resolutions in cities and towns around the country to divest from the big banks and move taxpayer dollars to community banks and credit unions. The New Bottom Line is supporting local groups with a toolkit including sample legislation at www.newbottomline.com/move_our_money and working with on the ground partners to pass legislation over the coming months. 

• Provide support and resources that allow individuals and community groups to self-organize public events and actions to move money out of the big banks in their community at www.moveourmoneyusa.org. The website provides tools for creating and promoting events, the how-to’s of putting together a successful action, and a report back form for groups and individuals on the total amount of money moved.

IN THE MEDIA:

The San Francisco Chronicle – Moving money out of big banks an effective tactic

National Catholic Reporter -  Faithful take money out of big banks to protest corporate greed

AG Kamala Harris Stands Strong Against Wall Street Banks

CCISCO and PICO California and Re-Fund California allies applaud California Attorney General Kamala Harris for fighting for the strongest settlement possible for homeowners.  CCISCO leaders and our allies have been working closely with AG Harris to ensure that homeowner’s interests are protected and that Wall Street banks are held accountable.  AG Harris recently pulled out of the 50-state bank settlement negotiations because the proposed deal failed to provide enough relief to California homeowners and last week she called on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to stop punishing California homeowners and to stop obstructing principal reduction.  Her announcement continues her record of leadership on this issue and we encourage her to stay strong as the negotiations continue.

IN THE MEDIA:

Reuters – California asks Fannie, Freddie to cut mortgage debt

A broad coalition of community residents, clergy, service providers, and law enforcement officials are working together to launch a powerful new movement to reduce gun violence and save lives in Richmond.  Over the past month, more than 190 CCISCO leaders have gathered to build their vision for Ceasefire in Richmond.  At the training, leaders committed to holding over 25 small group meetings over the next six weeks to engage 500 Richmond residents in a dialogue to help shape the Ceasefire/Lifelines movement in Richmond. 

“This isn’t going to be easy,” Rev. Dr. Alvin C. Bernstine told more than 70 people at a training at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church on August 15^th.  “But we are going to save lives and there is nothing more powerful than that.”

Richmond Ceasefire/Lifelines to Healing is a community-driven collaboration with law enforcement to reduce gun violence and save lives.  It is a strategic approach to reduce recidivism among people at highest risk of violence and prevent incarceration.  The approach helps build the capacity of the community to connect with young people at greatest risk and provide opportunities to help them change their lives.   Richmond Ceasefire/Lifelines to Healing is not a program—it is a movement to create a culture of peace and reconciliation between the community, law enforcement and public systems. 

The Ceasefire/Lifelines to Healing strategy has proven to reduce homicides from 30% to 70% in the near-term and has dramatically reduced recidivism in cities across the country. 

“We cannot arrest our way out of these problems,” said Tom Kensock of the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office.  “Ceasefire is a strategy where we can save lives and make the community safer without putting more people in jail.”

"Ceasefire is about the community taking control and telling those people most involved in shootings:  we love you and we want to walk with you, but the shootings have to stop,” said LaVern Vaughn, Richmond resident and CCISCO organizer.  “We need to take control of our community.”

 On Saturday, September 10, Rev. Jeffrey Brown, one of the founding members of Operation Ceasefire in Boston will meet with clergy leaders in Richmond and on Thursday, September 15 at 7:00pm there will be another Ceasefire/Lifelines to Healing training at Nevin Community Center, 598 Nevin Avenue in Richmond.

Richmond, CA – There is a 70% recidivism rate for formerly incarcerated individuals in Richmond that has impacted families for generations, that statistic is about to change. 

Over 150 community members came together on July 23 at the Richmond Recreation Center to hear research and explore solutions and get public commitments from City Officials to create more opportunities for formerly incarcerated residents. 

In the next couple of months 250 inmates will be released and rejoining their communities in Contra Costa County.  These individuals will be coming back to Richmond and if public officials follow through with their commitments, they will be greeted with opportunities to change their lives for the better.

The Safe Return Project is ensuring that these commitments will be followed through.

This action was organized by the Safe Return Team which consists of five formerly incarcerated Richmond residents who are working towards solutions to the recidivism issue in their communities.  They conducted research, interviewed 500 residents, and surveyed 104 individuals on parole and probation.  The Safe Return Project came about through a collaboration between the Office of Neighborhood Safety, the Pacific Institute and CCISCO. 

The focus for the coming months will be:

• Ban the Box, which will be championed by Council Member Jeff Ritterman in the Fall;

• One Stop Service Center for formerly incarcerated residents coming to Richmond;

• Housing with a pre-release component and a Section 8 voucher upon successful completion of reentry;

• Creation of a support group for formerly incarcerated residents and community members.  

Richmond, CA – On July 5, hundreds of community members gathered at the Richmond City Council chambers in support of a municipal identification ordinance.  After much deliberation and public commentary, the ordinance passed unanimously.  

The voices for support came from various community organizations and individuals who believe that by providing an identification that benefits everyone, Richmond residents will become empowered to volunteer, participate and be united as one city.

"This is the first step in the right direction," said CCISCO leader Hector Jauregui, "With this win, we will continue to move forward together as one community."

Council Member Jovanka Beckles introduced the ordinance and was seconded by Mayor Gayle McLaughlin.

Also in support of was law enforcement, "The Municipal ID will help our streets become safer," said Chief of Police Chris Magnus, "This is a good thing."

In the coming months, the City of Richmond will create a competitive process to find the best third party financial institution to make the Richmond Municipal ID a reality.    

On Thursday, June 2nd, over 500 community members gathered at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church to present Richmond NOW: A Total Plan for Safety & Opportunity. This plan outlines 8 specific steps to address some of the most pressing problems in Richmond involving safety, welcoming communities, education, and youth empowerment. CCISCO Leaders from 9 different local organizing committees drafted and presented the research report and proposals at the action.  The research report was followed by heartfelt testimonies of members from the community being directly impacted by these issues.  Afterwards, Dr. Alvin Bernstine, the hosting Pastor, called on the faith leaders and public servants of Richmond to stand up and demonstrate their support for the proposed actions by signing the Richmond NOW Community Covenant. At the end, there were over a dozen signatures including those of Police Chief Chris Magnus, Councilmen Jeff Ritterman and Nat Bates, City Manager Bill Lindsay, Office of Neighborhood Safety Director DeVone Boggan, West County Unified School District Board Members, and a representative from the Office of Mayor Gayle McLaughlin. 
 

Here are the key proposals that were presented on Thursday night:

SAFE SPACES

VISION & VALUES: Community centers need to provide safe and healthy spaces for young people to gather and should offer programs that meet the needs of the entire community. We believe that every Richmond resident—young and old—should feel safe, welcome and nurtured by our community centers.

ACTION: The Richmond City Manager and Richmond City Council need to allocate adequate funding in this year’s budget to expand programming at the Nevin Center.

MENTORING

VISION/VALUES: We believe that every child in Richmond deserves to have a nurturing relationship and guidance with at least one adult outside of their family. There are no “throw-away” children in Richmond.

ACTION: WCCUSD needs to follow through on its commitment to adequately fund and staff the coordination of the program and to ensure that all students at Kennedy and Richmond High School who desire and need an adult mentor have access to one.

CEASEFIRE/ LIFELINES TO HEALING

VISION & VALUES: The community of Richmond is taking responsibility for protecting its youth and neighborhoods. Everyone has a right to feel safe in their own community.

ACTION: The Richmond City Council, the Richmond Police Department, the Office of Neighborhood Safety, and the broader community need to adopt Ceasefire/Lifelines as the comprehensive youth violence prevention and intervention strategy for the city of Richmond.

RICHMOND MUNICIPAL IDENTIFICATION

VISION & VALUES: We believe that in order to make our city is a unified Richmond we must welcome all our residents into our larger society. We come from different backgrounds, experiences and cultures and we believe that we can come together and celebrate our diversity through our collective action to change our city for the better.

ACTION: We want the Richmond City Council members to adopt an ordinance enacting Municipal Identification for the City of Richmond.

LINKED LEARNING

VISION/VALUES: We believe that our youth can pave the way for a better tomorrow. The opportunity to get ahead and be prepared for college and a career is something that we value greatly. All children deserve the opportunity to succeed and fulfill their dreams.

ACTION: We need the West Contra Costa Unified School District Board needs to commit to finding ways to increase the number of mentors, job internships, and materials to the Academies at Richmond High School and Kennedy High School.

ADULT EDUCATION

VISION: We believe that all community residents must be afforded the opportunity to learn. Education is the cornerstone of our democracy because an educated adult population translates into an educated young population.

ACTION: We need the WCCUSD Board to commit to work with CCISCO to ensure that we prevent harmful cuts to Adult Education and to find creative ways to ensure that Adult Education does not disappear from our community.

PREDATORY TOWING

VISION VALUES: We are a community that believes in the financial and economic interdependence of all families. We also believe that a hardship to one group is a hardship to all. Richmond residents want to provide for their families.

ACTION: We have the commitment of Chief of Police Chris Magnus to work with CCISCO to create a towing policy that is fair and humane. We are asking our City Council representatives to support our effort in creating a policy that will not hamper our families’ progress and financial independence.

SAFE RETURN

VALUES & VISION: We are a community that believes in renewal. We value restorative justice and the intentional work of re-connecting members of our community that are seeking ways to give of themselves to make our community better.

ACTION: We ask all of our public officials–particularly those in law enforcement, job development, adult education and city government to join the Safe Return Community Research Team and members of the community in establishing the appropriate ordinances, policies and funding initiatives that will lead to the development of a One-Stop Service Center (one offering services in housing, jobs, education, transportation, healthcare and other basic needs) for those returning from incarceration.

Richmond, CA – On Tuesday, June 7, CCISCO leaders from St Mark's Church  along with hundreds of community residents gathered at the Richmond Civic Center in support of a municipal identification resolution.  

During the course of the meeting, residents formed a line, held their signs high and walked into the council chambers in silence.  As the City Council watched the seemingly endless line of supporters who walked in and out of the chambers, it was clear that Richmond is ready for a municipal identification.

Council member Jovanka Beckles introduced the resolution which directed City staff to "review a proposal by the Richmond Municipal ID Coalition, and prepare pertinent modifications, and prepare an ordinance for the Council's review on July 5th 2011."  

The comments made at the City Council meeting focused on creating a city which is inclusive of all people.

"When we divide the world between 'us' and 'them' it takes away our common humanity," said Council Member Jeff Ritterman, "The solution is to see people as people…as fathers, mothers, sons and daughters because everybody wants to be part of the community they live in."

After more positive comments from Richmond residents and by City officials, the Richmond City Council voted unanimously to approve the resolution.  CCISCO leaders cheered in celebration as the vote came to a close.

"The Richmond Municipal ID is for everyone," said St. Mark's Church CCISCO leader Hector Jauregui, "We are one united Richmond and the passage of the resolution tonight is the first step in bringing us closer to making the Richmond Municipal ID a reality."

The Richmond Municipal ID Coalition is a group of various organizations in Richmond, including CCISCO, who are working towards a safe and secure Richmond Municipal ID available to all residents.

CCISCO Leaders in West County are gearing up this week for "Richmond Now," A Total Plan for Safety and Opportunity. This community meeting will take place on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church (684 Juliga Woods Street in Richmond). Join a diverse group of over 500 Richmond residents who are leading this comprehensive campaign for a better Richmond.  Click here to view a flier for the event and RSVP on Facebook to attend!

At the action, we will be discussing a strategic approach to ensuring that all Richmond residents live in a safe environment with opportunities for youth and adults to succeed.  CCISCO leaders have developed this plan out of thousands of conversations within our own congregations and in alliance with the broader community.  On June 2nd, we will be highlighting a comprehensive set of issues, including: 

• Expanding mentoring opportunities for Richmond youth;
• Creating safe spaces at community centers for Richmond families;
• Strengthening pathways to opportunity at Richmond high schools;
• Creating new city policies to integrate immigrant families;
• Launching the Ceasefire Initiative to reduce violence in Richmond;
• Protecting education opportunities for Richmond adults; and
• Providing a safe return for Richmond residents returning home from incarceration.

These are urgent issues that are of vital importance to the future of our city and we are inviting public officials to respond to our proposals at the event.  

Come and show your support for a better Richmond!

Over the course of five weeks, CCISCO held exploratory sessions in East and West Contra Costa County to engage new congregations and present our faith-based community organizing model.  The training sessions were attended by dozens of clergy and lay leaders who were interested in learning about how community organizing can be a tool for putting our faith in action.  Current leaders shared their stories of success and spoke on the impact of community organizing in their lives.  We also presented the imperative need to organize based on the suffering and disparities in our communities. 

Through a reflective and thoughtful process, various congregations were invited to consider becoming member congregations of CCISCO.  At the end of this process, we are proud and excited to welcome six new members:

East County–

• Antioch Christian Center
  
• Antioch Church Family
  
• St. Ignatius Catholic Church
  

West County–

• Temple Baptist Church
  
• REACH Fellowship International
  
• Word Impact Christian Center
  

More than 400 people marched through San Francisco’s Financial District last week to demand that Wells Fargo change corporate policies that bankrupt families, dismantle neighborhoods, and empty public coffers. During the bank’s annual shareholder meeting, a delegation of homeowners and clergy including CCISCO leaders, addressed Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf to demand an immediate foreclosure moratorium. Unlike other national banks, Wells Fargo has not changed its foreclosure procedures despite numerous confirmed reports of “robo-signing” and other illegalities in the foreclosure process. You can watch two videos of the event by clicking here and here.

“Today is very personal for my family. Since 2005, I have been fighting Wells for wrongful foreclosure,” said San Leandro resident Donna Vieira. “But through this process, I have learned that I am not alone. A quarter of foreclosures in this country happen right here in California and 700,000 families are in foreclosure right now. We need these banks to have a new bottom line that includes investing in our communities.”

According to the U.S. Department of Treasury and Housing and Urban Development, at the end of 2009, there were 350,169 Wells Fargo homeowners eligible for the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). As of Feb 2011, only 77,402 homeowners received permanent modifications. This is a mere 22% rate of modification, more than 2 years into the program (www.makinghomeaffordable.gov). Meanwhile, Wells Fargo received nearly $43.7 billion in federal bailout funds, according to a widely cited study by Nomi Prins of Demos, a nonpartisan think tank. Furthermore, Wells Fargo reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2010 that it paid CEO John Stumpf more than $17 million, including a $14 million bonus.

The shareholder actions are part of The New Bottom Line Campaign fueled by a coalition of community organizations, congregations, labor unions, and individuals working together to build a movement that challenges established big bank interests on behalf of struggling and middle-class communities. Together, we work to restructure Wall Street to help American families build wealth, close the country's growing income inequality gap and advance a vision for how our economy can better serve the many rather than the few.

The New Bottom Line campaign includes PICO National Network, National People’s Action (NPA), Alliance for a Just Society, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), and Industrial Areas Foundation of the Southeast (IAF-SE) and dozens of state and local organizations from around the country.

SELECTED MEDIA COVERAGE:

CBS San Francisco – Protestors Target Wells Fargo in Downtown San Francisco

KQED NPR – Protesters Arrested at Wells Fargo Shareholders Meeting

The Bay Citizen – Angry Homeowners Arrested at Wells Fargo Shareholders Meeting

FiredogLake – Protesters Interrupt Wells Fargo Shareholders Meeting

San Francisco Bay Guardian – Hundreds Protest Shareholders Meeting in SF

On April 19th, over 70 people gathered in the Iron Triangle at the West County Leadership Summit.  At this meeting, community leaders shared stories and presented a series of issues they wanted to tackle to make Richmond a better and safer place.  At the meeting, the leaders decided to adopt a comprehensive plan that addressed the issues of violence, education, jobs, immigrant integration, and mentoring.  The engaged group also set a date for a community action to present and discuss the issues and solutions for a better Richmond.

The action is scheduled for Thursday, June 2nd at 6:00 pm at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church. At the action, we will be discussing a strategic approach to ensuring that all Richmond residents live in a safe environment with opportunities for youth and adults to succeed.  CCISCO leaders have developed this plan out of thousands of conversations within own congregations and in alliance with the broader community.  At the action, we will be highlighting a comprehensive set of issues, including: 

•  Expanding mentoring opportunities for Richmond youth;
•  Creating safe spaces at community centers for Richmond families;
•  Strengthening pathways to opportunity at Richmond high schools;
•  Creating new city policies to integrate immigrant families;
•  Launching the Ceasefire Initiative to reduce violence in Richmond;
•  Protecting education opportunities for Richmond adults; and
•  Providing a safe return for Richmond residents returning home from incarceration.

Oakland, CA—On Thursday, April 29, Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) joined over 1,200 OCO, CCISCO, BOCA and COR leaders to highlight immigrant testimonies and to call on President Obama to halt unnecessary deportations which tear families apart.  The faith community in the East Bay came together for a common cause.

“The purpose of our meeting tonight is to shed light on the crisis affecting our communities,” said OCO Co-Chair Fr. Jesus Nieto, “The thousands of families that have been separated due to unnecessary deportations in California and across the country, as well as the lack of a federal solution to our broken immigration system, has created this crisis—it is time we unite together to ask President Obama for some relief.”

There was heart wrenching testimonies from leaders like CCISCO leader Bianca Rojo, which underscored the suffering that is caused when families are broken up.  Rojo, saw both her parents deported at 15.  “I had to become the mother and the father for my younger brother, we moved from place to place, sometimes we didn’t even have any food to eat.”

Congressman Gutierrez heard the testimonies from African, Korean and Latino leaders and applauded their bravery for telling their stories at the risk of deportation. “The current political climate in Washington D.C. has prevented immigration reform to pass. It is time that President Obama keep his promise, it is time to provide some administrative relief, he has the power to do it,” said Gutierrez.  

Congressman Gutierrez made Oakland one of his 20 stops across the country for the "Change Takes Courage" tour. The tour is designed to gather signatures on a petition to President Obama asking that he use powers already available to him under existing law to spare certain immigrants — those with deep equities in the United States and without a criminal history — from deportation. 

According to Department of Homeland Security, half of the immigrants deported were not convicted of a crime.  This troubling statistic has created fear within immigrant communities and has put to question President Obama’s campaign promise of overhauling the system. 

“We want to put an end to the deportations which separate hard working families, to stop the deportation of students who only wish to contribute to our great nation, and stop deportations which destroy our communities and leave them paralyzed,” said Pastor Michael McBride from BOCA, “We want respect and dignity, and for that reason we come together to let everyone know that our immigrant communities are flesh and blood.  This is what our faith teaches us.”

The event was organized by PICO East Bay which includes: OCO-Oakland Community Organizations, BOCA-Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action, CCISCO-Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization, and COR-Congregations Organizing for Renewal.

During the week of March 14, CCISCO, PICO California, together with allies at ACCE, California Reinvestment Coalition and SEIU, launched a statewide campaign to pass a package of new state legislation aimed at protecting homeowners from fraudulent bank foreclosure practices and making banks pay their fair share for the housing and foreclosure crisis that has devastated the budgets of families, local communities, and the state.  

The package of legislation includes:

• The Homeowner Protection Act (SB 729) which will require lenders to finish attempting a loan modification with each borrower before continuing with the foreclosure process.
• The Title Transparency bill (AB 1321) which will require that all deeds and transfers of mortgage loans be recorded with the County, so that borrowers can confirm in public record who actually holds their mortgage.
• The Foreclosure Fee bill (AB 935) which seeks to incentivize loan modifications by adding a disincentive to foreclosing – a $20,000 fee. This fee begins to allow communities, cities and the state to recoup some of the fiscal costs that result from each foreclosure. The revenue will be collected in a state fund and will go to Public Safety, Public Education and Local Governments. 

To kick off the campaign, the coalition released a new report, "Home Wreckers: How Wall Street Is Devastating Communities," which brings to light the full impact of the costs of foreclosure for each county, a total that adds up to a minimum of $650 billion and as much as $1 trillion.   This report is the first time the full set of costs to homeowners and taxpayers have been quantified in California – the hardest hit of all states with the most number of foreclosures.   

On March 19, CCISCO joined Oakland Community Organizations (OCO) and PICO California, and ACCE, at a large town hall meeting with city and state elected officials in east Oakland, which has been rocked by foreclosures and is now dotted with vacant, bank-owned homes.  In addition to building support for the state legislation, community and faith leaders lifted up local strategies that the city and county can take to protect homeowners and hold banks accountable.  Watch homeowners giving testimony from the action by clicking here.

On Monday, March 7th, 4 CCISCO leaders joined a PICO delegation and 600 people from National People's Action for a series of actions on the Attorneys General conference, Bank of America and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the OCC is the federal regulator for the big four banks).  You can see pictures from the day's events here.

CCISCO leaders Karen & Eugene Matthews, Donna Vieira, and Rosario Frisse along with other PICO le adersRob Goodman (Faith in Community), Jose Gonzales (PACT),  and Lilian Cabrera (OCO) all had an opportunity to give their testimony and call on the AGs and regulators to step up their pressure on the banks.  Here are links to video of their testimony.

• Donna Vieira – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkmrsv6rQsA
• Lilian Cabrera & Rosario Frisse – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IePmzcHUZyk

The timing could not have been better for our action at the annual conference of the National Association of Attorneys General.  A delegation of PICO and NPA leaders went inside the conference to confront the AGs and was able to get the Iowa deputy Attorney General to come out and address the 300 person crowd outside.  We definitely sent a strong message.  

To see our solutions for holding big banks accountable visit crimeshouldntpay.com (http://crimeshouldntpay.com/bottomline)

On Saturday, March 5th, CCISCO leaders joined over 2,000 Richmond residents at the grand re-opening of the Nevin Community Center in the Iron Triangle Neighborhood. Food, games, activities and an official unveiling of the new programs now offered at the center were part of the morning's events.   

Last June, after speaking to community members who voiced concerns about drugs, alcohol and inappropriate activities around the center, CCISCO launched a campaign alongside other community groups to renovate the center to make it an ideal place for the young people of Richmond and the Iron Triangle.  

New educational and community programs have been established at the center and will create more engaging activities for people of all ages.  Richmond residents will now have classes, GED preparation programs for adults, activities for senior and English and computer classes. Security has also been established and the center has been painted and renovated to provide a safe atmosphere for the community. 

Washington D.C. – On February 16, 2011 over 75 PICO faith leaders from across the country gathered in Washington D.C. to discuss ways to win policies that support immigrant integration in a manner that is reflective of our collective faith values.\

Leaders Gaby Baños and Cheryl Nickerson represented CCISCO at the historic national convening. Once there, they participated in developing national priorities on immigration issues which are rooted in local organizing campaigns. 

"There was a great deal of work that was completed at the task force convening in Washington D.C. A lot of great research was unveiled and it was noted that the formation of a national task force itself a victory," said Cheryl upon returning from the gathering. 

"The Califoria group was large enough to take on issues that were affecting fellow Califorians.  Alot of momentum has been built and even with the current Congress, we can still be effective through voter registration, voter education, by working on the DREAM Act and by working with the White House."

The top national priorities for the PICO Immigration Task Force are

1. a strong voter registration and Get Out the Vote (GOTV) effort
   
2. administrative relief for DREAM students and a revision to the S-Comm program
   
3. opposition to eVerify without comprehensive immigration reform.
   

The long term goal for the PICO National Immigration Task Force is to work towards an immigration reform that is just, humane and that brings all communities together.

The big banks are at it again.  First, they committed widespread mortgage fraud against millions of Americans.  Then they began fraudulently kicking millions out of their homes.  And now, they’re pressuring state Attorneys General to let them off the hook for their crimes!
 
Join thousands of people this Thursday, February 3 in calling your state Attorney General to demand a strong settlement against the big banks.

Last week, homeowners in Iowa met again with state Attorney General Tom Miller, who is leading the nationwide investigation into the foreclosuregate scandal.

When AG Miller met with CCISCO and PICO leaders in December, he said he would put bank executives in jail for the crimes they've committed against the American people. But last week, he was much less willing to make bold statements.  This must mean one thing: AG Miller and the other 49 Attorneys Generals are being pressured by the big banks to make a settlement that lets them off the hook.  We can't let the big banks get away with their crimes.  We need to fight back.

A few minutes of your time on Thursday will go a long way in sending a message to the Attorneys General that we’re watching their work closely and we won’t settle for anything less than deep penalties for the big banks and justice for millions of homeowners. Click here to find out the number to the your state's Attorney General and call now!

For more information, visit: www.crimeshouldntpay.com

On Saturday, January 15th, a diverse group of representatives from local organizing committees (LOCs) gathered at St. Mary's College in Moraga to evaluate the organizing in 2010 and plan their work over the next 12 months. The day was filled with assessment, relationship-building, and strategic planning for 2011. CCISCO leaders set goals for their regions and campaigns and devised strategies to accomplish these goals in the next year.

The Leadership Summit consists of a leadership team that is formed by elected representatives from each local organizing committee in the active congregations CCISCO currently organizes in.  This team meets annually to asses CCISCO's work over the past year and create organizing plans for the year.  This leadership body is also in charge of nominating new members to the Board of Directors when vacancies exist.

An integral part of this gathering is to build and strengthen relationships amongst leaders from across the county working on a broad set of issues.  Leaders also reviewed their work over the past year through a presentation of their accomplishments including on issues such as bank accountability and foreclosure prevention, health care access, violence prevention, immigrant integration and access to quality jobs.  The leaders present also had the opportunity to break out into regional and issue groups to set goals for their campaigns and regions. 

On Thursday, January 13, 2011 over 130 concerned Richmond residents gathered at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Alvin Bernstine and the Voice For The Village Coalition, to launch the most visionary mentoring initiative in the city of Richmond. The program – Mentoring for Martin – will provide concerned adult mentors for Kennedy High School youth who have expressed a need for adult guidance and support. In attendance on the 13th were Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, City Manager Bill Lindsay, Police Representatives Captains Kagan and Williams, Director of Neighborhood Safety Devone Boggan and Be a Mentor Inc. President Bob Goetsch.  Each of these city officials pledge their support for the program and committed to recruiting mentors among their staffs and municipal workers.

"Martin King once shared out of the pages of his youth: 'My parents taught me something very early.  Somehow they instilled in me a feeling of somebodyness, and they would tell me over and over again that you're just as good as any child,'" said Rev. Dr. Alvin Bernstine, "Many of the children within our community need someone to tell them, impress upon them, and show them that they are as good as any child–Mentoring4Martin is an opportunity for all of Richmond to assess, consider, and commit to making sure our young people will live with a powerful sense of 'somebodyness'."

The goal of the Mentoring for Martin program is to match a trained, caring, concerned adult mentor with every high school-aged youth in Richmond. Mentoring for Martin is as a part of a comprehensive youth violence program organized by CCISCO trained leaders at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, St, Marks Catholic Church, Easter Hill United Methodist Church, Word Impact Christian Center and Temple Baptist Church. These churches, brought together by CCISCO two years ago in response to a steep rise in youth violence in Richmond, developed a citizen-led approach to stemming youth violence – the Voice for the Village – that includes a mentoring component, a re-entry program for youth returning to the community from incarceration, jobs readiness and employment for youth and a coordinated violence intervention program involving the Office of Neighborhood Safety, the local police and organized citizen groups.

MEDIA COVERAGE:

abc7 News-Richmond kicks off new mentoring program

Richmond Confidential-Local church leaders call on ‘mentors’

The Oakland Tribune -New mentoring program for youth begins this week

Oakley, CA – On Monday, December 13th, La Clinica de La Raza’s Board of directors formally approved their expansion into the City of Oakley by opening an additional health care clinic. After securing an additional $450,000 from Kaiser Permanente's national board, the fully funded project was ready for board approval. In addition to Kaiser, other supporting stakeholders that contributed to the start up and three years of operational costs, were John Muir, and Sutter Delta. Meanwhile, La Clinica also awaits a response from a federal grant for new start-up clinics.  If awarded, this grant would enable La Clinica to also offer dental services at the new facility in East County.

The next steps include applying for all required federal and state approvals and licensure to operate the site, recruitment and hiring of staff. 

"Our hard work has paid off! It feels great that we persisted and achieved something that our entire community will be able to benefit from," said St. Anthony's leader Violeta Tapia.  "Winning affordability as part of health care reform and ensuring these benefits and services are available here in our own city is a great blessing," she concluded. 

The much needed health care clinic upon opening its door is expected to serve 1,300 patients in its first year and provide the following medical services at an affordable sliding scale rate: laboratory services, immunizations, and health coverage enrollement.

The goods news was first announced by La Clinica CEO, Jane Garcia alongside Fr. Olman Solis Pastor of St. Anthony’s at last weeks special city council meeting .  The council was thanked for having been ardent supporters since the CCISCO committee first identified the need and campaign to bring primary health care services to town.

Richmond, CA – The work of CCISCO, and a determined group of Richmond citizens, concerned about the lack of safety and programming at the Nevin Community Center, (located in the Iron Triangle Neighborhood) came to fruition recently in a decision by the City of Richmond to fund a number of initiatives that will make Nevin a model for the entire community.

City Manager Bill Lindsey, aided by senior recreation department officials, agreed to make sweeping changes to the Nevin Community Center that will insure that the center is safe for all users, is adequately staffed by well-trained workers, includes a comprehensive package of programming and activities that provide services for young children, teens, young adults, and seniors and solicits and incorporates resident feedback and involvement.

CCISCO trained local leaders have been working on bringing improvements to the Nevin Center for several months. Over the better part of the last year local residents have been engaging their neighbors across the Iron Triangle about problems and challenges at the Nevin Center. They have held large town hall meetings; held 1 to 1 listening sessions with each other throughout the neighborhood; and have been gathering in each other’s homes to envision a neighborhood community center that better serves the people of the Iron Triangle. Along the way, they have strategically engaged local officials and have worked as partners in developing a plan to make the center a better place for all residents and a model that the City of Richmond can be proud of.

CCISCO leaders, in the Iron Triangle, have partnered with the city on other local initiatives such as litter control, street paving projects and increased police patrols. They were particularly proud of this effort because of the respect shown by city leaders for their efforts and the level of cooperation they received in the process. Recreation officials and CCISCO leaders will be planning a public unveiling of the “new and improved center” in early 2011, stay tuned for details!

Des Moines, IA– On Tuesday, December 14th, CCISCO Leader Ken Kelly joined more than 100 people from 15 states representing community, faith, and labor organizations, foreclosure victims and struggling homeowners from across the country in a meeting with Attorney General Tom Miller. Participants urged Tom Miller to make a strong settlement that includes loan modification and principal reduction as the primary tools for cleaning up the mortgage mess created by the banks.

The lead Attorney General in the 50-state foreclosure investigation, told homeowners at risk of foreclosure today that he supports a settlement with the big banks that requires significant principal rate reductions, loan modifications, compensation for citizens defrauded of their homes, and criminal prosecutions against big bank executives who broke the law.

“We will put people in jail,” Miller said, in response to questioning.  “One of the main tools needs to be principal reductions, just like in the farm crisis in the 1980s…There should be some kind of compensation system for people who have been harmed…And the foreclosure process should stop while loan modifications begin.  To have a race between foreclosures and modifications to see which happens first is insane.”

Miller also agreed to continue to work with grassroots community, faith, and labor groups from across the country and agreed that the Bank Accountability Campaign’s members are stakeholders who deserve a seat at the table.

“Attorney General Miller made it clear that he sees this investigation as a chance to clean up the foreclosure crisis that has ransacked our communities for over three years now and continues to push down housing values for everyone.   He stated that loan modifications will be a core component in any settlement,” said Gina Gates, a foreclosure victim with PACT-PICO in San Jose, California. 

“The stakes are high.  A strong settlement is the best hope to hold Wall Street banks accountable and prevent millions more Americans from losing their homes,” said Mikael Broadway, from IAF in North Carolina.

“The big banks have repeatedly weakened efforts to get to the root of the foreclosure crisis,” said Ken Kelly. “They’ve failed to live up to their promises and outright ignored the rules of the game, with little to no consequences.   The Attorneys General have a chance to change this.” 

This is the first of a series of similar meetings with the state Attorneys General who are on the investigation’s executive committee.   Participants in the meeting included borrowers who have lost their homes unjustly, other homeowners in danger of foreclosure, clergy and community advocates from 15 states – including Iowa, California, Illinois, Washington, New York, Colorado, Ohio, North Carolina, Florida, Missouri, Massachusetts, Kansas, Michigan, Montana and Oregon.  The participants presented a stack of homeowner testimonies to Mr. Miller and made it clear that this investigation is their best hope for resetting the housing market and helping millions avoid foreclosure.

The group also staged protests that afternoon at the Wells Fargo Home Mortgage headquarters in West Des Moines and at branch of Bank of America in Des Moines to highlight the massive bonuses that bank executives will receive this month while millions of homeowners face foreclosure.   They plan to lift up a new report showing that restoring equity to underwater homeowners would cost the big banks $73 billion, approximately one-half this year’s bonus & compensation pool.  

The growing activity from homeowner groups comes amidst a turbulent time for big banks, especially Bank of America, with both investor lawsuits and the Attorneys General investigation pending, and some analysts beginning to predict the eventual need to restructure America’s largest bank in 2011.

The meeting with AG Miller was organized by PICO National Network, National People’s Action, SEIU, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, Alliance for a Just Society, and IAF Southeast.

Washington D.C.  – On Saturday, December 18, after a win in the House of Representatives, the DREAM Act did not garner enough votes to avoid a filibuster in the Senate.  What this means for our country is that the resource of educated youth whose only desire is to serve, will remain untapped.

The vote in the Senate was 55 (Yes) to 41 (No), with 5 Democratic Senators voting “No” and 3 Republicans voting “Yes”.  60 votes were needed in order to move the legislation forward and avoid a filibuster. 

This stunning defeat in the Senate will delay justice once again, however, the fight for fair and humane immigration reform will continue for the long haul.  Given the state of the economy and the desire for putting our country back on track, CCISCO leaders recognize that, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. put it, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”

Congressman George Miller spoke at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass at Queen of all Saints Church in Concord about the merits of the DREAM Act on December 12, 2010.

Washington D.C. – On Wednesday, December 8, the U.S. House of Representatives held an historic vote of 216-198 on the DREAM Act which has added momentum to this legislation as it reaches the next hurdle, the U.S. Senate.

CCISCO leaders rejoiced at the news that the DREAM Act has moved forward on to the Senate, where a cloture vote is expected early next week.

The DREAM Act is a bipartisan measure that would enable high-achieving young people – immigrants who have been raised here, have worked hard in school, and then pursue higher education or serve in the military – to achieve the American Dream.  The DREAM Act allows qualified young people who lack immigration status to earn their citizenship and give back to the only country they know as home.

After numerous phone calls, postcards, press conferences, prayer vigils, and town hall actions, organized by CCISCO leaders at various churches across Contra Costa County, three members of Congress, Rep. George Miller (CA-7), Rep. John Garamendi (CA-10), and Rep. Jerry McNerney (CA-11) supported the DREAM Act with an affirmative 'YES' vote.

"In this economy, we need the best, brightest, the most capable and most qualified to be a part of the American workforce," said Congressman George Miller, "This legislation will allow a limited group of very capable, high achieving young people to help contribute to the economic well-being of this country…I urge the Senate to pass the DREAM Act so that it may become the law."

On Monday, November 29th, CCISCO faith and community leaders gathered in front of the office of Congressman Jerry McNerney to call on Congress to pass the DREAM Act and urge Mr. McNerney to vote yes on the legislation when it comes up for a vote in the House of Representatives.

Currently, thousands of hard working young people who were brought to the United States as infants or children can now be locked up in federal detention centers and deported to a country they've never known. This is a reality for up to 2.1 million current and graduated high school students in America, a fourth of them here in California.  Each year, 65,000 students–honor roll members, excelling athletes, and gifted artists–graduate and hit a roadblock as they are forced to live in the shadows and work low-paying jobs. 

"I just want to have a normal life, because right now I don't feel I have that, " said Margarita, a 24-year old student from Brentwood.  Margarita graduated from Los Medanos College with two Associate's Degrees in Math & Science and Arts & Humanities and now attends Cal State East Bay, where she is studying social work.  "I don't want to live in the shadows anymore. We are here and we will continue to fight for the DREAM Act until it passes," she concluded.

The DREAM Act could stop the injustice by giving students who have grown up and graduated from high school in the United States the opportunity to earn legal status through higher education or military service.

By passing the DREAM Act, not only would 2.1 million American students be able to pursue higher education or military service,  but research shows that our government could collect $3.6 trillion over the next 40 years. 

Call 1-866-945-0566 and urge your Senators and Representatives to vote YES on the DREAM Act as a common-sense way to help Margarita and up to 2.1 million students succeed and contribute to America.

On Thursday, November 18th, over twenty five CCISCO leaders, joined by ACCE, gathered in front of the Wells Fargo branch in Richmond to protest Wells Fargo's theft against their community.  They demanded that Wells Fargo be accountable for the 55,000 homes they recently admitted to wrongfully foreclosing on.

Richmond City Mayor Gayle McLaughlin also spoke at the event, and reiterated that the City stood with homeowners and not with Big Banks.  The City will be exploring a Responsible Banking Ordinance, that would require banks to demonstrate that they are investing in the community and working with families in good faith to help eligible homeowners obtain permanent loan modifications, in order to receive the City's deposits or investments. 

After presenting the facts, including that 50% of the 94801 zip code, the largest in Richmond, is in foreclosure or with a sub-prime loan, CCISCO leaders demanded that Wells Fargo place a moratorium until a thorough investigation of their foreclosure proceedings was completed.  The group then proceeded to march into the branch where they delivered a letter to CEO John Stumpf requesting a meeting and detailing CCISCO's demands. 

CCISCO will continue the fight against big banks next Tuesday, November 23 at the Wells Fargo Corporate Headquarters in San Francisco as they join regional allies to demand that Wells Fargo be accountable for their theft against the community and families.

MEDIA COVERAGE:

Richmond Confidential-Half the homes in 94801 zip code in foreclosure, or getting there

On Wednesday, November 3rd, CCISCO leaders Ken Kelly, Berenice Ramos, and Pastor Mario Howell were part of a delegation formed by PICO and other national allies in a meeting with Tim Geithner, Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.  They took with them stories from around the country and presented five specific steps that the Administration can take right now to keep many more families in their homes and stop foreclosures. This was the first time that Secretary Geithner met with so many homeowners, clergy and housing counselors who had first-hand experience with the foreclosure crisis.

The meeting was the culmination of two years of work by PICO, a national network of 45 faith-based community organizations.  Almost two years ago, PICO members stood outside the Treasury Department building with 180 people, demanding that the Department implement a broad loan modification program. In October of last year, PICO members sat down with Michael Barr and Herbert Allison, top-level Treasury Department officials with control over consumer protection and the TARP. They brought with them a stack of photos and stories of people experiencing problems with HAMP and losing their homes in the process. As a result of that meeting, PICO and National People’s Action held eight field hearings across the country this spring, to bring attention to the Treasury Department of the horror stories out there. Treasury officials attended the field hearings, and the coalition continued to ask for a meeting with Geithner.

At the meeting, their basic message to the Treasury Secretary was that it’s time for a new approach to the foreclosure crisis. PICO sent a detailed memo on what they saw as the next steps to fix the broken process.  They want a nationwide freeze on foreclosures as the foreclosure fraud scandal is investigated; a senior-level official tasked just with fixing the housing crisis; a reset to the housing market with an “aggressive” principal reduction and forbearance plan, including cram-down, a mandate for Fannie and Freddie to reduce principal on all the loans they own, and making principal write-downs mandatory in HAMP; and actual accountability and penalties for servicers violating HAMP.

Mr. Geithner agreed that the recommendations were practical, made sense, and were substantive suggestions and committed to sending a written response from the Treasury to the proposals. 

The group also asked for a moratorium on foreclosures, especially for those who are already eligible or already enrolled in HAMP.  "We advocate for a temporary, very targeted, moratorium in foreclosures to send a clear message to the American public that the Treasury does care about due process," Kelly said. "It would also send a clear message to the market that the administration wants to get to the root of the problem which includes faulty documentation."

The group got a commitment for a written response to all their proposals within the next 30 days and will be meeting in person with Michael Barr in Washington DC in December.

MEDIA COVERAGE:
The Huffington Post- Geithner Meets with Homeowner Advocates, Homeowners Bogged Down in HAMP

Firedog Lake Newsdesk- Geithner Meets with Homeowners Burned by HAMP

Religion News Service- Faith Groups Press Geithner on Foreclosures

On Saturday, October 16th, over 40 leaders from different faith and community groups in Richmond launched the "Faith, Hope, and Vote" campaign.  The campaign involves registering eligible citizens to vote and ensuring that they make their voices heard on Election Day.  The volunteers knocked on thousands of doors registering new voters and dropping off information on how and where to vote for those recently registered.  The efforts also focused on educating citizens on the importance of voting and civic participation and was concentrated in the Iron Triangle Neighborhood.  This event was part of a larger campaign that involves other areas in Contra Costa County such as Antioch and Oakley. 

Last November, CCISCO leaders asked the Antioch city council to introduce a resolution that would move the city’s investments out of big banks that have demonstrated a disingenuous effort to help homeowners who have stable income and meet HAMP guidelines to modify their loans and retain their homes.  

"They listened, and they acted!" said CCISCO leader Karen Matthews at a press conference on Saturday, October 30th, where dozens of Antioch residents gathered to witness as members of the Antioch City Council formally announced their divestment from Bank of America for its unsatisfactory track record of helping families stay in their homes and providing permanent loan modifications to eligible homeowners. 

Research shows that Bank of America was and continues to be the bank with more subprime loans than any other single bank. Currently, and according to national HAMP numbers from the U.S. Treasury, Bank of America loan modifications are still at an abysmal 21%.  

Unfortunately, we have not seen significant action from the Treasury or the White House to hold these banks accountable. Local governments, however are starting to take action with community organizations and beginning to make a real difference. In San Jose, PACT leaders announced that the city has diverted $1 billion based on the bank's poor record of modifying loans to stop preventable foreclosures. In Los Angeles, LA Voice leaders were joined by over 800 community members at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church last week, where they called on the City Council to pass a "responsible banking ordinance" that would move city deposits out of banks that refuse to help homeowners and small businesses and into responsible banks that are investing in the people of Los Angeles.Watch coverage of the event here.

This is just the beginning however, we need more cities, our county and our state to follow suit and also move their money out of institutions that do not uphold our values and who are not investing in our families and communities. 
 

Schiller Park, IL -Last week more than 240 clergy, laity and faith leaders from 37 states met in Illinois at the Justice for Immigrants/PICO Conference entitled "Immigration in a New Congress." The event consisted of faith perspectives, research results, and best organizing practices. It was an opportunity for Catholics to gather and discuss the post-election results and the feasibility of comprehensive immigration reform, the DREAM Act or AgJOBS in the coming year.

Fr. Daniel Groody (www.nd.edu/~dgroody) from the University of Notre Dame gave a presentation on Catholic Teaching and Migration, which underscored the Catholic faith tradition of migration from the bible to present day. His discourse focused on the many factors that affect migration patterns around the world. Whether it is economics, environmental disasters or political realities, migrants seek refuge and a stable life.

CCISCO leader David Lopez from Immaculate Heart of Mary in Brentwood attended the convening along with PICO leaders and organizers from across the country.  During workshops and break out sessions, they presented their best organizing practices which ranged from the "opting out" of S-Comm in Santa Clara County and San Francisco County, local towing issues, and immigrant integration efforts which include bridge-building workshops consisting of immigrant and non-immigrant participants.

Also participating in the conference was Assistant Director of Detention Policy and Planning Phyllis A. Coven from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The presentation from Ms. Coven focused on ICE's work to improve conditions at detention centers and the online upgrades in helping to locate family members who have been detained. After her presentation, Coven was asked about opting out of S-Comm and said she was not authorized to discuss the issue of S-Comm.

Towards the end of the conference, there were regional break-out sessions which focused on local attempts at highlighting the issue of immigration at local parishes, working to build bridges between communities, parish organizing and the upcoming opportunity for DREAM Act in the lame duck session.

Key outcomes from the conference included the difficult political reality facing comprehensive immigration reform in the years ahead and the tremendous opportunity in building capacity to keep the issue at the forefront. Other key highlights included: 

a)  The growth of Latino Catholics across the country and the significance of their vote in this past election;

b)   The importance of developing uncommon allies – business, law enforcement, and other faith denominations;

c)   Widespread interest in community organizing from many Dioceses across the country; and

d)   Lifting up our common faith values and reminding ourselves that this is God’s work

Several research meetings were conducted by PICO leaders during their staying Chicago which included Sisters of Mercy, Pat Murphy and JoAnn Persch regarding their work in detention centers and their ongoing vigils. A second research meeting was conducted with Joshua Hoyt of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights around their successful immigrant integration strategies over the years.

JFI and PICO are collaborating to engage Catholic parishes in helping welcome new immigrants and create a just and humane immigration system. For more information: visit www.justiceforimmigrants.org and www.piconetwork.org or contact Jaci Braga (jbraga@piconetwork.org).

On Thursday, September 30th, CCISCO and the Richmond Equitable Development Initiative (REDI)* hosted one of the largest candidates forum in this electoral year.  The diverse crowd gathered at Easter Hill United Methodist Church to listen and meet the candidates running for Mayor and City Council in Richmond.  The event began with a welcome by Pastor Alvin Bernstine and an introduction of REDI and its platform and past accomplishments. 

Eight out of the eleven candidates attended and presented their proposals for the City of Richmond.  The candidates were allowed a couple of minutes to introduce themselves to the audience.  Thereafter, there were four questions that were asked by residents and dealt with some of the issues most impacting Richmond: youth services, jobs, the environment and foreclosures.  All of the candidates were allowed to response to each of the question and then concluded with closing statements. 

The forum was a powerful display of community engagement and reflected the diversity in the City of Richmond and was simultaneously translated into three different languages: Spanish, Laotian, and Mien. At the end of the night, residents walked away not only with a deeper understanding of the candidates and their platforms,but also with a stronger sense of commitment to be involved in their community and the importance of voting and challenging others to vote. 

*REDI is: Association of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), Asian Pacific Environmental Network-Laotian Organizing Project (APEN-LOP), Communities for a Better Environment (CBE), Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organizing (CCISCO), East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE), Faith Works/ Richmond Vision, Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP) and Urban Habitat.

From September 21-23rd, 55 leaders and staff from CCISCO and 12 other PICO federations and 3 PICO state-wide networks gathered in Chicago – together with 175 other community and labor leaders from over 60 grassroots organizations spanning 25 states – to learn about creative local organizing handles to hold big banks accountable and move forward a collective campaign focused on the nation's 4 largest banks (Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase & Citibank), with the goal of winning a national lending agreement that could potentially bring billions of dollars into our communities.  

The most exciting highlights of the summit were the bold vision shared by everyone for building a new and just economy; a recognition that the first step on this journey is challenging Wall Street’s stranglehold on our economic and political systems; and the recognition that no single organization – or network – can do this alone. "I felt great seeing over 200 people gathered for the same purpose that we have been fighting for this long," said CCISCO leader Nely Rubio upon returning from the Summit.  "It's a wonderful feeling to realize that we are not in this alone, that there is such a strong commitment from all these other organizations to hold banks accountable for the injustices they are committing and that if we work together and strategically we will make a difference," she added. 
 
It was amazing to see the level of collaboration and mutual recognition that permeated the summit.  This campaign is sparking an unprecedented alignment of community organizing networks, labor unions, research and advocacy organizations, and other allies united in an effort to win.  Everyone at the summit recognized just how ground-breaking this level of collaboration is in the field of organizing.

You can download: 1) a description of a “Big Bank Roadmap for Repairing the Economy,” which is the set of demands that we seek to negotiate with the big banks and 2) a document that outlines what we seek to build and a vision for how we would work together.
 
While bringing the nation’s biggest banks to the negotiating table will take long-term, sustained pressure, the campaign has the potential to tap into the economic pain we are all seeing in our local communities; channel this pain into inspiring collective action; and ultimately bring home significant monetary wins from the nation’s biggest banks, as well as challenge the role that corporations like big banks are playing in undermining our democracy.

On September 25th,  over 130 residents and civic leaders gathered in Richmond to help craft a plan for improving the health and safety of the community.  The event was hosted by Healthy Richmond, a collaboration of organizations including CCISCO,  and individuals that came together in 2009 to begin a ten-year process to improve the conditions in the community that impact health.  These conditions include access to quality health care, levels of crime and safety, quality of schools and neighborhoods for children, and economic development.  
 
Healthy Richmond was formed in response to The California Endowment's Building Healthy Communities initiative, a 10-year commitment to invest over $1 billion in 14 communities across the state to demonstrate improved health status for children and provide an evidence-base for its approach to creating healthy communities through prevention.  The plan being developed by Healthy Richmond will inform The Endowment's grantmaking in the community for the next several years. 
 
At the beginning of the meeting, residents from the targeted neighborhoods in North Richmond, Iron Triangle, Coronado, Pullman, and Belding Woods had a chance to learn more about the history and background for the initiative. Following this, the participants joined one of four different workshops that addressed: health care access, education, safety and violence prevention, and economic development.  In these workshops,  they were able to provide input on the types of changes they want to see happen and developed strategies to create those changes. 

Congressman George Miller, who has championed health care access for Richmond and Contra Costa,  also attended the convening and addressed the audience first about health care reform and the benefits that Richmond could expect.  The Congressman also talked about the importance of community engagement in creating meaningful change in Richmond and encouraged residents to stay involved. Finally, at the conclusion of the event, residents were asked  to join and commit to working in this long-term effort with the strategies they to create lasting improvements in their community
 
The California Endowment, a private, statewide health foundation, was established in 1996 to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities, and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians. The Endowment makes grants to organizations and institutions that directly benefit the health and well-being of the people of California. To date, The Endowment has awarded over 11,000 grants across California totaling more than $2 billion. For more information, visit The Endowment's Web site at www.calendow.org.   Click here for more information about the Healthy Richmond Initiative.

Oakley, CA – On Wednesday, September 15, 2010, over 200 community members packed the recreation room of St. Anthony's Church to get an update on a health clinic effort that has been in the making for three years.  With more than 85% of the funding secured for the clinic along with the Affordable Health Care Act passed six months ago, the clinic is expected to help fill a huge community need.

"We want to celebrate the near fulfillment of a community clinic in Oakley," said CCISCO leader Gabriela Banos-Galvan, "We want to recognize the steadfast supporters and community partners whose unwaivering support will soon improve the quality of life of thousands of East County residents."

The audience broke out in loud applause as the health clinic so many have worked hard to complete is almost a reality. 

According to the research report presented at the action, there are more than 132,000 uninsured residents in Contra Costa County alone.  This clinic would benefit the local and surrounding community of Oakley and as the Affordable Care Act .  The legislation which takes effect on September 23, 2010 will:

• Expand health access to 106,500 residents in Contra Costa County
• Prohibit health insurance companies from discriminating against children with pre-existing conditions
• Require health insurance companies to extend coverage to children up to age 26 years old who are part of their parent's health plan
• Prohibit health insurance companies from dropping health coverage when someone gets sick
• Prohibit health insurance companies from placing a lifetime cap on patients with chronic or catastrophic illnesses

Update: At a recent press conference held on September 20, 2010, Representatives George Miller and John Garamendi thanked CCISCO for their work in the community on the issue of health care. Both Congressmen were instrumental in helping to make health care affordable and expand coverage to thousands across Contra Costa County residents.

RICHMOND, CA – On Tuesday, August 10, 2010 CCISCO leaders joined ACCE and SEIU at a press conference at Chase Bank in one of many statewide actions held today to draw attention to the damage Wall Street has caused families in California. Their demand to Chase and other banks was simple: stop foreclosing on families, cancel toxic interest rate swap deals at no cost to taxpayers, and restore small business lending to pre-crisis levels.

"We are here today because California's families continue to pay the price for Wall Street's recklessness," said Vernell Crittendon from ACCE, "And  we are also here to say: enough is enough!," 

Families delivered a "Final Notice" bill to Chase as well as a letter highlighting the cost of unregulated practices that has devastated Richmond and has left the city struggling to keep schools open and create new jobs. This includes $13.9 billion from foreclosures, $50 million from unpaid property taxes, $1.5 billion from toxic interest rate swap deals, and $1.2 billion from job losses and cuts to small business lending. The total, $16.68 billion, comes at a time when Wall Street is paying out more than $140 billion in pay and bonuses while families continue to lose their jobs and homes and teachers, first responders, and health care services are cut.

"Across the state, neighborhoods are reeling from devastating cuts to vital services like health care, education, and public safety that disproportionately impact the most vulnerable people in our communities–seniors, children the disabled, low income households, and communities of color," said CCISCO leader Jose Vega, "To make matters worse, while we are making sacrifices to help the state recover from this economic crisis, the banks are not doing their part to fix it!"

At the conclusion of the press conference, the bank confirmed to families who had gathered that the letter they delivered to Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, was received via fax.

"Because of the banks and their recklessness, I have lost my job and am in jeopardy of losing my home," said CCISCO leader Anthony Allen.  

The letter delivered to Chase will serve to remind the bank that their decisions have a real human impact.

CCISCO and PICO National Network leaders and their allies are continuing to press forward to hold Chase accountable and Wednesday's press conference will be the launch of a new campaign to expose Chase's horrific record and take dramatic action to divest billions of dollars from JP Morgan Chase.
 
At the event, CCISCO will present proposals for reform that will help keep families in their homes and rebuild the neighborhoods that have been devastated by the harmful practices of Chase and other big banks. 

Out of the 600,000 Chase borrowers who were offered trial loan modifications last year through HAMP and the company's own programs, less than 15 percent were approved for a permanent change in terms.  The figures are even more dire looking strictly at HAMP. Only some 7,100 Chase mortgage holders have received permanent modifications out of more than 156,000 trials started under the program, or less than 5 percent (see chart below for modification data by mortgage servicer). In January of this year, JPMorgan Chase, announced fourth-quarter profits of $3.3 billion.   HAMP's overall numbers also underscore banks' blanket resistance to changing mortgages. According to a November report from the Treasury Department, just over 31,000 out of 1 million homeowners who were offered trial modifications received permanent alterations.
 

DATE:  Wednesday, July 28, 2010
TIME:  11:00 am
LOCATION: Chase Bank located at 5050 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94618

DATA TAKEN FROM: http://industry.bnet.com/financial-services/10006200/how-jpmorgan-chase-worsens-the-foreclosure-crisis/

On June 23, over 500 CCISCO and PACT leaders urged the U.S. Treasury  Department to hold banks accountable for modifying loans to stop the foreclosure crisis that continues to devastate our community and economy. 

The Treasury is responsible for implementing President Obama's Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) that promised to help 3-4 million homeowners avoid foreclosure. Fewer than 10% have received permanent loan modifications.

Treasury Policy Director Laurie Maggiano agreed to:

• Make HAMP more inclusive of homeowners in need of loan modifications. 
  
•  
  Get back to PACT in writing within 30 days after taking all the stories, research, and demands for change back to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner

Click here to see a video of the event.

Get Involved! Visit www.ourmoneyourvalues.org to join our divestment campaign.

IN THE NEWS:

Mercury News-Federal Program Aimed at Financially Troubled Homeowners is Failing, San Jose Residents Say

On  Tuesday, June 22 the Oakley Redevelopment Ageny voted in favor of a resolution that brings La Clínica de La Raza one step closer to opening a health clinic by authorizing City Manager Bryan Montgomery to enter a guaranty agreement regarding the lease for the health clinic.

Father Olman Solis, CCISCO Clergy leader and pastor of St. Anthony Catholic Church, spoke before the agency at the meeting, thanking the board members for their continued support of the project that has been a work in progress for five years. He presented the board with a poster inscribed with signatures of many of the church's parishioners as a thank you for its efforts.

Vice Mayor Jim Frazier also informed the audience that Radback Energy, Inc., a company seeking to build a power plant in Oakley, has pledged $5,000 to La Clínica to help bring the much needed clinic to Oakley.

IN THE NEWS:

Contra Costa Times-La Clinica Preparing to Lease Oakley Building

The Press-La Clinica to Offer Health Care in Oakley

On Wednesday, June 23 over 800 CCISCO and PICO leaders in California converged on the State Capitol to call on state officials to make children a priority in our state budget. 

Several youth shared their experiences attending poorly funded schools and spoke to the critical  role community violence prevention and health care programs have made in their lives and lifted up these contradictions:  

• California spends $375 million on youth prisons – the same amount it spent 15 years ago, although the number of youth incarcerated has shrunk by over 80%.

• Healthy Families Program has been cut from $380 million in 2006 to a proposed $114 million this year.

• Education has been cut by $1,000 per student per year over the last 3 years.  California currently only spends $7,400 per student per year.

That day, PICO leaders met with their state legislators as well as key offices throughout the Capitol, including representatives of the State Treasury, where leaders shared their experiences with unscrupulous bank lenders and called upon the state to make banks do their fair share to close the state budget gap.  After that meeting, State Treasurer Bill Lockyer agreed to meet directly with PICO leaders before the end of July.

Click here to see video from the Action in Sacramento.

Concord, CA – On Tuesday, June 22, CCISCO leaders from Queen of all Saints held a press conference and delivered 700 postcards asking Congressman George Miller to support and help move comprehensive immigration reform forward.  

Testimonies were given by faith leaders on the separation of families due to the broken immigration system which highlighted the moral case for comprehensive immigration reform. 

Congressman George Miller issued a statement at the press conference which read:

MILLER STATEMENT ON IMMIGRATION REFORM

"Washington, D.C.  - Rep. George Miller (D-Martinez) today issued the following statement regarding comprehensive immigration reform: 

"Comprehensive immigration reform is an important issue for our country.  As you know, Arizona recently passed legislation that has thrust the issue of immigration into the national spotlight.  And there are some very real concerns about the constitutionality of that law."

"Our country should address the future security of our borders and the well being of all immigrant communities through comprehensive immigration reform, not state-by-state laws.  The people who come to this country for a better life are also contributing to our society to make our country great.  And they shouldn't have to live in fear or be separated from their families.  We must enforce our current laws while working for meaningful reform.  This means the Congress must work toward a comprehensive policy that ensures that people obey American laws and have a path to work toward becoming citizens, that addresses the backlogs and delays in the legal immigration process, and that secures our border.

"I am a strong proponent of comprehensive immigration reform.  I am also a proud co-sponsor of the DREAM Act, which could provide a good first step toward reform by ensuring that children who are simply hoping to go on to college and work toward a better life do not live in fear of being punished by their parents' mistakes."

CCISCO & PICO Leader exposes Chase at Shareholders' Meeting and gains commitment to a meeting with top Mortgage Division Executive

On Tuesday, May 18th, CCISCO Leader and Contra Costa homeowner Jose Vega traveled across the country to participate in Chase Shareholders' Meeting.  Mr. Vega, addressed Chase CEO Jaime Dimon and related this personal struggle to obtain a loan modification through Chase.  After sharing how his house was foreclosed in spite of being eligible for a modification and after making six trial payments, Mr. Vega requested that the CEO meet with community leaders to address these issues.  Mr. Dimon in return, agreed to have his top executive in the Mortgage Division of Chase meet with Mr. Vega and a delegation of CCISCO and PICO leaders. 

"To me this was a moral victory," said Mr. Vega upon returning from New York.  "He finally agreed to have meeting to talk about ways to fix what is obviously a broken system," he added. 

CCISCO and PICO leaders are hopeful that Chase will come to the table to address the bank's inability to help families keep their homes, but will continue to escalate the divestment campaign through our online portal: www.OurMoneyOurValues.org until  Big Banks begin to act in good faith and stop preventable foreclosures.  

Click here to see the follow-up letter to CEO Jamie Dimon

For more information on PICO's national bank accountability campaign visit: www.piconetwork.org

On Sunday, June 6, 2010, CCISCO and other PICO organizations together with the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign are coming together for a day of actions whose focus is to present the moral case for comprehensive immigration reform and to highlight the need for administrative fixes from unfair deportation policies.  Thousands are expected to participate in five actions in five regions in California.  The events are a response to the lack of movement on behalf of the President and the Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform legislation.

The lack of legislation to fix our broken system of immigration has resulted in individual states considering, or as in the case of Arizona, passing enforcement-only state legislation which does not serve to solve the issue, but instead scapegoats hard working immigrant families.

Both Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer have been invited to attend and support the issue of comprehensive immigration reform as well as stand together with the faith community.  Actions across the country will be echoed in Denver, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.

The local event will be at Mission High School located at 3750 18th Street in San Francisco and will begin at 3:00 PM

PICO Network Statement on Comprehensive Immigration Reform:

As members of the PICO National Network, we represent over 40 different religious traditions that, while diverse, are united by the principle that every human being is created in God’s image and merits respect.

We call upon our elected representatives in the Senate and in the House to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation that keeps families together, ensures a pathway to legalization and citizenship, protects due process and workers rights, includes the DREAM Act, and adopts smart and humane enforcement strategies

We are a faith-based network that has a keen remembrance of history. We have witnessed, and been a part of, communities that have suffered dramatically under the rule of draconian enforcement strategies. We believe that no one should live in fear of being stopped and questioned by the police simply because of the color of their skin or the clothes they wear.

Legislation recently signed into law in Arizona that would do precisely this. We don't want to turn back the clock in our nation's progress. We also know that enforcement-only strategies have proven to be ineffective. We refuse to let this happen to fellow members of our faith community . . . our own brothers and sisters. These types of broad enforcement strategies undermine our values and tear our families apart. We value legislation that upholds the rule of law, yet we need legislation that respects our values.

The immigration system as a whole is broken, and we don't need just piecemeal fixes. Our country urgently needs comprehensive immigration reform that lifts up our core faith values including human dignity, family unity, and human rights. We will continue to lift our voices and the stories of our communities to call for just and humane reform.

For more information visit: www.reformimmigrationforamerica.org or www.piconetwork.org

As the SEC reportedly begins criminal probes, community leaders demand that Chase cease abusive bank practices and stop lobbying against financial reform.

CCISCO leader and Pittsburg homeowner Jose Vega is traveling to New York today to participate in Chase's Shareholders' Meeting.  Mr. Vega will represent the thousands of homeowners that share the terrible reality of losing their homes because of the bank's unwillingness to work with families to help them obtain loan modifications. He will address CEO Jaime Dimon and ask that he agree to meet with community leaders to discuss Chase's unwillingness to work in good faith with distressed homeowners and negotiate solutions to help families save their homes. 

Since last year, Chase has advanced foreclosure proceedings on his home four times despite qualifying and applying for a loan modification under the federal HAMP program.  Although he made six timely payments on his trial modification, Mr. Vega was denied a permanent loan modification.  Last month, while he was on the phone negotiating with a bank executive, he received a visit from a Realtor who informed him that his house had been foreclosed on and he had been assigned by the bank to sell it.

"Chase was insincere in their efforts to assist me in keeping my home, most angering is the fact that they stole additional money from me over a course of six months!"states Mr. Vega.
 
Mr. Vega is going to New York City as part of a national action to challenge JP Morgan Chase and CEO Jaime Dimon.  He will be joining many other housing advocates, labor leaders, and homeowners in calling attention to JP Morgan Chase's role in opposing financial reform; failing to keep families in their homes; and deepening the economic crisis.
 
"They have made this the most stressful, frustrating experience of my life, not only for me but for my wife and two children who cry for not knowing whether we will be able to stay in our home or not," said Jose Vega. "We worked hard to achieve the American Dream, and now that dream is being taken away from us by the greed of these big banks."

The event in New York City marks another step in CCISCO and PICO's Bank Accountability Campaign to help keep families in their homes, end predatory lending, and help rebuild our communities after the economic devastation.

CCISCO and PICO Network to begin organizing June 6th Actions across California, Colorado, Massachusetts and New York

Despite the overwhelming sentiment of anger and outrage at the recent SB 1070 law passed, faith and hope are still very much alive in Arizona.  The law has served to create mass confusion and fear within the immigrant community in Arizona, yet a core group of community members who started a 24 hour vigil that has lasted for weeks, prays with and shares their message with each and every person they encounter.

“Tell everyone what you saw here, carry this flame with you and tell them we appreciate their support,” said Rosa Maria, who has been praying since the beginning when only seven people gathered at the Capitol, that number has increased and the message has been carried throughout the country. 

The injustice is not only reserved within SB 1070.  The legislation has given the green light for an anti immigrant sentiment that has ranged from subtle to overt.  Television stations in Phoenix are painting a one sided view of immigrants as criminals and people driving by the Arizona Capitol scream out obscenities as peaceful parishioners pray. 

As a way to stand in solidarity, CCISCO sent organizer, Apolonio Morales, to Phoenix as a way to capture a first-hand account of the injustice and to help organize.  The stories that came back with him underscore the need for comprehensive immigration reform as well as the incredible sense of community.

“Whenever people ran out of food or water at the Capitol,” said Morales, “there was no shortage of donations and no shortage of hope and inspiration.”

That flame and passion for change has reached Contra Costa County.  CCISCO and the PICO Network are planning a day of actions across the state on Sunday, June 6^th.  Here in the Bay Area, PICO affiliates are working together to push for a practical solution to the immigration issue which upholds faith values and denounces Arizona’s draconian approach.

CCISCO will also work in solidarity and follow the example of Arizona residents and the Reform Immigration FOR America who have launched the “Faith. Hope. Vote!” campaign.  Over the next 90 days, the campaign will register thousands of new voters in Arizona to get their voices heard.  CCISCO will begin registering voters and participating in get out the vote strategies for the mid-term elections.

Whether legislation on comprehensive immigration reform is introduced or not, organizations all across the country are moving forward and continue pushing for comprehensive immigration reform.  The stakes are too high especially with SB 1070 being replicated in different states.

Just recently, the Richmond City Council voted unanimously to protest SB 1070 through a resolution introduced by Mayor Gayle McLaughlin and Vice-Mayor Jeff Ritterman which prohibits the travel of City staff to Arizona until the unjust law is repealed.  The resolution refers to a previous action by the Richmond City Council on February 6, 2007 reaffirming its support for comprehensive immigration reform that is fair, just and humane, and affirming non-cooperation with ICE. 

Cities are planning similar resolutions all across the country.  The struggle for comprehensive immigration reform continues forward in the face of adversity.

Richmond City Council Resolution on SB 1070

San Francisco—Faith, labor and community groups vowed to step up their efforts to change Wells Fargo’s banking practices after the company’s CEO John Stumpf said no to their requests and the pleas of foreclosure victims at the annual shareholder meeting. “The only way to get Wells Fargo to take us seriously is by organizing our money,” stated Domingo Delgadillo, a leader with CCISCO and the PICO National Network.  “We are prepared to organize more than $10 billion in deposits and accounts with Wells Fargo and move it to financial institutions that will truly serve our interests.”

About 800 people filled the streets of San Francisco's Financial District on Tuesday April 27, marching to Wells Fargo's annual shareholder meeting where they rallied outside as CEO John Stumpf and top executives met with shareholders at the Merchants Exchange Building. A delegation of 20 leaders and foreclosure victims with proxies attended the meeting, demanding changes to corporate practices that have bankrupted families and public coffers. The coalition representing the largest networks of labor, faith-based and community organizations in the country called on Wells Fargo to help families stay in their homes, keep small business open, and access affordable credit instead of funneling millions into the pockets of lobbyists obstructing democracy and fairness. All these requests, delivered personally to the bank’s executives and board of directors inside its shareholder meeting, were met with a no—including Stumpf’s point-blank refusal to meet with coalition leaders to negotiate a solution to these problems.

See the Letter to CEO John Stump Here.

"Wells Fargo's rejection of our reform proposals is an insult to millions of California workers who have suffered at the hands of the big banks," said Art Pulaski. "It's time the banks were held accountable for the economic disaster they created.  We're not going to stop our campaign until Wells Fargo and the other giant financial institutions pay to help rebuild California." “We are here to mourn the loss of things near and dear to our hearts of every American. The loss of jobs, the loss of our homes. Wells Fargo: things are not well with us. Many years ago, bandits would rob the stage coach, but now the stage coach is robbing us!” said Rev. Dr. Mario Howell, clergy leader with Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization and the PICO National Network. “There is a storm of epic proportions that has been raining on California’s communities and communities across the country for over two years now,” said Kimberly S. Jones of the California Reinvestment Coalition in her speech to the shareholders. “By objective standards, Wells has fallen short and can do more—much more.” The coalition called on Wells Fargo to:

• Stop predatory and discriminatory lending by eliminating racial disparities in lending and ceasing to market high-cost loans to people of color, and ending the bank’s payday loan product and financing of payday lenders.
• Keep families in their homes by declaring a moratorium on foreclosures for all owner-occupied homes until it has provided permanent loan modifications to at least 50% of eligible families under the HAMP program; and stopping all evictions of tenants in foreclosed properties.
• Help rebuild neighborhoods by offering bank-owned properties for sale to nonprofit and public agencies for affordable housing instead of to private investors.
• Pay its fair share for economic recovery by investing in good loans and jobs for communities devastated by the foreclosure crisis.

The coalition is urging Congress to pass robust financial regulatory reform and is working with labor unions, churches, cities and individuals to divest $10 billion from Wells Fargo by the end of this year. Across the country, religious congregations, denominations, and labor unions are leading a movement to close accounts and investments with large banks and financial institutions that are not responsive to their demands.

For more information, see www.ourmoneyourvalues.org

The march in San Francisco was the first of a series of major actions this spring to demand big banks start putting America's economic recovery ahead of their oversized profits and bonuses. Thousands of Americans in more than a dozen cities are converging on banks this week, including a huge rally on Wall Street this Thursday. The mobilizations are the largest grassroots demonstrations against Wall Street since 5,000 Americans converged in Chicago last fall in a "Showdown" with the American Bankers Association.

MEDIA COVERAGE:

• Alternet News-Protesters Launch Showdown with Monster Banks, Demand Wells Fargo End Predatory Lending
• ABC 7-Protesters Converge Outside Wells Fargo
• CBS 5-Outraged Homeowners Protest SF Wells Fargo Meeting
• NBC Bay Area-Financial District Host Bank Meeting, Big Protest
• SF Appeal-Over 1000 Expecte to March on Wells Fargo Shareholders Meeting At Noon Today
• People's World-Unions Community to Wells Fargo: We Are Not Your ATM!

Massive Online Mobilization Coincides with Shareholder Meeting Protests in Three Cities

www.OurMoneyOurValues.org