Pumpin' Up the Protest in front of Wells Fargo Branch in San Mateo

Marchers from more than 50 Bay Area grassroots organizations created a human billboard all along the El Camino, starting in Palo Alto at 8:30am. By mid-afternoon, they crossed into the city of San Mateo. Ultimate destination: Wells Fargo headquarters in San Francisco but first....target the bank's branch in San Mateo!

In chants and song the demonstrators called on Wells Fargo to halt fossil fuel lending and to invest instead in clean energy solutions to the climate crisis. The San Mateo branch on W. Hillsdale Boulevard was one of a dozen "stagecoach stops” where the tireless marchers could rest a bit, enjoy vegan snacks, use the portable port-a-potty and prepare to solider on.

Members of the Raging Grannies Action League, whose members live from San Jose to San Mateo all up and down the peninsula, pumped up the protest with songs and chants near the branch bank's front door. Granny Gail Sredanovic said that she regrets that age and disability keep her from actually marching, but that she was participating in a virtual manner by watching livestream coverage. The Grannies will join up with the event again at ground zero--Wells Fargo headquarters 420 Montgomery St. San Francisco noon on March 18.