GC2012: Private Prison Protest

More at http://gc2012.umc.org More than 500 people protested the private prison industry that targets immigrants and people of color. Bishop Minerva Carcaño of the Phoenix Area and Bishop Julius Trimble of the Iowa Area, co-chairs of the United Methodist Immigration Task Force, led the rally. Speakers included a Florida immigration advocate and church members from around the U. S., the Philippines and Germany. In 2011, the United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits prohibited investments in companies deriving revenue from private prisons. The board added private prisons as the sixth screen guided by the denomination's Social Principles. The April 28 rally was held in Tampa, Florida during the 2012 General Conference.