Group Protests Corporations Not Paying Fair Share of Taxes

On the day most Americans are filing their federal income taxes, a group of about 50 MoveOn.org members carrying signs gathered in front of the Wells Fargo bank on Main Street, one of the corporations the group says doesn’t pay its fair share of federal income taxes.

The leader of the group, Michael Rothmel, a Mount Holly attorney, said the protest is part of a nationwide event by the organization to “build momentum toward November,” he said. “We want a Congress that will increase taxes on the rich, the top 2 percent, and corporations.”

He said Wells Fargo is among the top 12 corporations that doesn’t pay taxes.

“We believe we have fulfilled our federal, state and local obligations in the communities we serve,” said Fran Durst, northeast communications manager for Wells Fargo in Summit, Union County, said in a statement.

“Over the last 10 years, Wells Fargo has paid more than $30 billion in income taxes to federal and state authorities and billions more in property, real estate and payroll taxes.”

The group of people was from all over South Jersey—Moorestown, Maple Shade, Cherry Hill, Sewell and Haddon Township.

Rothmel said in the group protesting were teachers, Teamsters, those who are unemployed, attorneys and small business owners.

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