The Situation
Anti immigrant laws, like Arizona’s SB 1070, are not only a consequence of racism but also of the greed for money. It is a huge business to criminalize and incarcerate our communities because the federal government pays private prison companies a average of $122 per day per person in prison.
Private Prison Companies like Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and the GEO Group have influenced politicians to pass laws that criminalize communities of color to increase the prison population for more profit.
These companies are making millions from incarcerating our loved ones. Those who benefit are companies (shareholders) that invest in the prison industry. Our government is building more prisons while cutting social services and schools, all with tax payer money.
The Proposal
This is why we have launched the Prison Industry Divestment Campaign to convince shareholders (banks, hedge funds, etc) to divest their funds from the prison industry so that we can make an impact on the prison business and reducing the power of CCA and GEO to lobby for laws that imprison our communities.
CCA Major Shareholders
Pershing Square Capital, Wellington Management, Lazard Asset Management, Vanguard, General Electric, and Capital Research Global Investors
Geo Group Major Shareholders
Wells Fargo, Scopia Management, Wellington Management, Vanguard, Blackrock, and Fidelity
What you can do
We cannot defeat the prison industry without your support!
Can you pledge to:
____ Organize a talk with your family and friends at your home to talk about the impact of prisons and racist/ anti immigrant laws in your community (contact us for sample workshop and agenda)
____ Hang a campaign poster in your house/ church/ union hall (contact us for a free poster)
____ Organize an event or action in your area exposing shareholders and private prisons (contact us for action materials)
____ Actively participate in the national campaign and participate in National Days of Action
____ Endorse the campaign and share information with members via website, newsletter, etc
____ Make a call to the list of shareholders demanding they divest from the prison industry (contact us for sample letter)
____ Pass a resolution with your union, church, etc to divest from private prisons (contact us for sample resolution)
____ Send a letter to Wells Fargo asking them to divest from the prison industry (contact us for sample letter)
____ If Wells Fargo does not respond, close your bank account and put your money in a local bank (contact us for more information)
Please send the form to info@enlaceintl.org or via Fax 213-284-7725.
Visit http://enlaceintl.org/ for more information.
Enlace is working in partnerships with organizations across the US on the Prison Industry Divestment Campaign.
Thanks!
Caroline Correa
Community to Community Development
Bellingham, WA
cecorrea2002@yahoo.com
360-647-1232
