Santa Ana, CA – On Tuesday, April 21, residents of Coach Royal mobile home park demanded Kingsley Management Corporation get out of their park. Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) joined them to demand the city council intervene against years of harassment, unjust evictions, home theft, and intimidation by the corporation. The abuse resulted in the suicide of resident Maria Pedraza, whose home was in the process of being taken after years of sacrificing to purchase it.

Karla Alvarado, one of the residents whose home was stolen, stated: “The city of Santa Ana has already met with 45 residents who can testify to this. 45 residents and counting. We have spoken to people across multiple parks. The stories are consistent, the tactics are consistent, and the outcomes as well. That is the definition of a systemic issue.”

Lupe Barragan, a resident and organizer, looked at and pointed directly at each council member as she spoke. “You need to respond! Phil Bacerra, you tried to intimidate us when we came to your office. You, Jonathan Hernandez, we need you to respond to us too. You came to support us and we need more of that. City manager, we need your help. Valerie Amezcua, I know my presence doesn’t please you, but you told us you were going to get out the big guns. We are waiting for you!” As she walked away, Mayor Amezcua laughed at her. Barragan turned around, pointed at Amezcua and scolded her for being disrespectful.

Sylvia Ayala, another resident, told the council, “I’ve lived here for 40 years and I’ve never gotten any help from you. Because you don’t care about the people; you only look out for yourselves. You work, but we have to work more than you. The humiliation that people with money have done to us is not fair.”

While the residents spoke, CSO OC and residents unfurled a banner reading “Kingsley fuera!” The camera began frequently changing angles to avoid showing the banner on screen. At one point, four Santa Ana Police Officers approached the organizers and told them they must move to the back if they are going to hold a banner, despite nobody complaining about an obstructed view.

When Rain Mendoza of CSO OC went up to make public comment, she first held up the banner and told the council to look at it and show it on camera.

Mendoza responded to the council’s frequent response that they cannot do anything because the park is private property, stating, “You sued El Centro Cultural de Mexico, a pillar in this community, so you can use your cops to toss homeless people’s belongings in the trash and push them out of a place where they were allowed to stay by the private property owners. So, you can do all that and use the courts, the police, and all your resources to terrorize a very vulnerable community, but you can’t lift a finger when there is a company that operates in Santa Ana that acts like thugs? Shame on you!”

Diana Terreros of CSO OC reminded the council that the residents of Coach Royal are mainly working-class immigrants whose homes are their refuge during the Trump administration. Terreros stated, “Kingsley’s actions go against the spirit of the entire sanctuary city ordinance. They are exploiting the fear of the immigrant population in Santa Ana. They are hoping the fear will be enough to force the residents to keep their heads down and their mouths shut. They are exploiting this community and their fear to increase their profits by stealing their homes. This is a multi-million dollar corporation from Utah. Why are we allowing them to exploit Santa Ana like this?”

Another member of CSO OC summarized the hundreds of thousands of dollars that groups representing mobile home park owners have donated against the campaign for the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance that was passed in October of 2021. They have also donated to council member’s campaigns. He asked council members, “Is this what’s influencing your frequent responses that there is nothing you can do to enforce what you know is unjust and illegal acts by Kingsley against the Coach Royal residents?”

#SantaAnaCA #CA #CSO #OC #OrangeCounty #PeoplesStruggles #CoachRoyal #Eviction #Featured

New Orleans, LA – On the morning of July 30, over 100 people gathered around the New Orleans Civil District Court building to demand that eviction court be closed. The crowd physically prevented landlords from entering. By the end of the demonstration, protesters shut down the entire court as well as city hall.

The demonstration began with a mock trial that sentenced the court judges and local and state leadership to be evicted for not taking action to protect renters. Above the scene, demonstrators hung a banner from the court roof that read “Eviction = Death.” During the trial, protesters placed furniture in front of the entrance and some demonstrators chained themselves together in front of the doors.

The New Orleans Renters Rights Assembly called the demonstration, with a number of other organizations joining. These included workers’ rights organizations like the City Waste Union and the New Orleans Hospitality Workers Alliance, Southern Solidarity, Freedom Road Socialist Organization and other groups.

The speeches demanded that the city close eviction court and provide immediate relief to the 300,000 Louisiana residents who are at risk of being evicted.

#NewOrleansLA #InJusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities #Healthcare #AfricanAmerican #HousingStruggles #Eviction #RentCancellation

Minneapolis, MN – More than 50 people rallied inside City Hall here, July 24 to demand all charges be dropped against members and supporters of Occupy Homes who were arrested defending the Cruz family home. In recent weeks, city prosecutors added the charge of third degree riot – a gross misdemeanor which carries a sentence of up to one year in prison and a $3000 fine – to the original trespassing charge. The 14 were arrested May 30 in a peaceful protest at the Cruz family home.

Speaking in City Hall, Rachel Lang of the National Lawyers Guild announced the start of a campaign to press city officials to drop the charges. Other speakers included hip-hop artist Brother Ali, Michael Friedman of the Legal Rights Center and Dave Bicking, formerly of the Minneapolis Civilian Police Review Authority.

The decision of city officials to escalate the charges against anti-foreclosure protesters is an attempt to attempt to intimidate activists. The protests organized by Occupy Homes have garnered international media coverage and has been successful in saving the homes of those hit by foreclosures.

Other demands put forward at the protest were that, “All police, including Chief Dolan, who used violence against peaceful protesters be formally disciplined,” and that “no more public resources be used to help banks evict our neighbors.”

#MinneapolisMN #InJusticeSystem #HousingStruggles #Foreclosure #Eviction #politicalRepression #OccupyHomesMN

St. Paul, MN – In a packed hearing room, more than a dozen legislators heard testimony March 14 on proposed legislation to put a moratorium on home foreclosures and the eviction of tenants from foreclosed properties. Representative Karen Clark and Senator Scott Dibble, authors of the ‘Foreclosure Moratorium, Neighborhood Stabilization & Tenant Protection Bill’ (SF1521 and HF1886) chaired the hearing. The moratorium bill is an initiative of the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout (MCPBO).

Those testifying at the hearing included Cherrene Horazuk, Chief Steward of AFSCME Local 3800, Peter Brown of the Minnesota Tenants Union, Angel Buechner of the Welfare Rights Committee, Anthony Newby of Occupy Homes, Mel Reeves of Occupy the Hood and homeowners who have or are currently facing foreclosure, including Rosemary Williams, Bobby Hull, Ruby Brown, Peter Eisert and John Vinge.

Deb Konechne, a spokesperson for the MCPBO, testified, “This bill, which has been introduced in the House and the Senate, would place a 2-year moratorium on home foreclosures and a 2-year moratorium on the foreclosure related eviction of renters from foreclosed property.”

She added, “This bill is a plan to keep Minnesotans in our homes. It also protects renters who too many times end up paying rent and a damage deposit without knowing the property is in foreclosure, only to be evicted through no fault of their own, only a few months later.”

Rosemary Williams recounted her dramatic fight to keep her home. She said that when sheriffs evicted her and her family from her home in 2009, the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout helped move her back in. William’s called for politicians to pass the moratorium law.

To date, Republican committee chairs have refused to hear the Moratorium Bill. “Today’s people’s hearing served notice on them. We will carry forward the fight for a moratorium on foreclosures. We will continue to challenge politicians that serve the banks and big business,” stated Mick Kelly of the MCPBO.

Stacey Kemp, a Minneapolis homeowner gave her take on the hearing, stating “Stopping foreclosures means keeping our neighborhoods healthy and strong. The unemployment and underemployment rate has been bordering on 20% for a very long time. Working families that have been the core of our neighborhoods and communities are losing their homes because of an economic crisis caused by the 1%. I support this public hearing to demand that the legislators protect our interests – not those of the privileged few.”

Video from the press conference preceding the people's hearing on the foreclosure & eviction moratoriumDeb KonechneRosemary Williams

#SaintPaulMN #MinnesotaCoalitionForAPeoplesBailout #RosemaryWilliams #HousingStruggles #DebKonechne #Foreclosure #Eviction #Moratorium #KarenClark #ScottDibble

Minneapolis, MN – El 6 de diciembre, fue un día de acción nacional a favor de aquellas familias en peligro de perder sus casas debido a la ejecución hipotecaria. Para ello más de 100 personas se congregaron frente a la casa de Bobby Hull en la 3712 Columbus Ave. Sur, Minneapolis, y anunciaron el inicio de una ocupación de su casa para garantizar que el banco US Bank no le saque de su casa.

El señor Hull quien es un veterano de guerra, humilde y trabajador, ha vivido en esta casa en el sur de Minneapolis desde el año 1968 con su familia pero está en peligro de perder su casa, la cual pasaría a manos del banco. Aunque ha vivido allí por décadas y ha hecho sus pagos mensuales al banco, por razones de salud no ha podido seguir con los pagos exigidos por el banco. Hull ha intentado negociar con el banco para reducir el pago mensual, pero el banco no le hace caso y sigue intentando retomar a la casa. En el vecindario en el sur de Minneapolis donde viven muchas familias latinas y afroamericanas de la clase trabajadora hay muchas familias que han perdido sus casas debido a la ejecución hipotecaria durante la actual crisis económica, aumentando la pobreza y la crisis de familias sin hogar.

Ahora hay un movimiento de inquilinos y dueños de casas que dicen “basta” a los bancos y rehúsan salir de sus casas cuando el banco intenta adueñarse de sus casas. El movimiento de indignados en Minneapolis, conocido como Ocupar Minneapolis, está apoyando a Bobby Hull para que el banco US Bank no le saque de su casa. Ocupar Minneapolis es parte del movimiento Ocupar Wall Street que ocupa espacios públicos y ahora también casas para protestar a favor del 99% de la población trabajadora y en contra del 1% de los más ricos, los bancos y las grandes corporaciones que verdaderamente controlan la economía y la política del país por sus propios intereses y no los intereses de la gran mayoría.

Ocupar Minneapolis sigue con su ocupación de la plaza en el centro de Minneapolis, aunque los políticos del condado de Hennepin están intentando restringir la habilidad de los manifestantes para mantener su protesta allí. Hasta la fecha la ocupación de la plaza en el centro de la ciudad sigue viva. También el movimiento Ocupar Minneapolis sigue con la ocupación de la casa de Monique White en el norte de Minneapolis. Como la casa de Bobby Hull en el sur de Minneapolis, la casa de la señora White está también en peligro de la ejecución hipotecaria. Los manifestantes dicen que van a mantener las ocupaciones hasta que haya justicia.

#MinneapolisMN #HousingStruggles #Foreclosure #Eviction #OccupyWallStreet #OccupyMN #OccupyMinneapolis #BobbyHull

Minneapolis, MN – On Dec. 6, a national day of action for occupying foreclosed homes, more than 100 people rallied here in front of Bobby Hull’s house at 3712 Columbus Avenue. They announced the start of an occupation of his home to prevent US Bank from kicking Hull and his family out of their home.

Bobby Hull, a working class Vietnam War veteran, has lived with his family in the South Minneapolis home since 1968. But now he’s in danger of losing the home, which would be taken by the bank. Although he’s lived there and made his mortgage payments for decades, due to health reasons he wasn’t able to keep up with the high payments more recently. Hull tried to negotiate a lower monthly payment with the bank, but they wouldn’t negotiate and moved forward with the attempt to take away his house. In South Minneapolis, where many working class Latino and African American families live, there are many families who have lost their homes due to foreclosure during the current economic crisis, which just further increases poverty and homelessness.

There’s a growing movement of tenants and homeowners who are saying “Enough is enough!” to the banks and refusing to leave their homes when the bank tries to foreclose on them. The Occupy Minneapolis movement is supporting Bobby Hull to try to prevent US Bank from kicking him out of his house. Occupy Minneapolis is part of the Occupy Wall Street movement that is occupying public spaces and some homes too. These occupations are a protest in favor of the 99% of the population and against the 1% of the richest people, the banks and the large corporations that control the economy and politics of the country for their own interests instead of in the interest of the vast majority.

Occupy Minneapolis’s central occupation continues downtown at The People’s Plaza outside of Hennepin County Government Center and City Hall, although Hennepin County officials continue trying to restrict the protesters’ ability to stay there. As of this writing the occupation of the downtown plaza continues. Occupy Minneapolis members are also continuing to occupy Monique White’s house in North Minneapolis. Like Bobby Hull’s house in South Minneapolis, Monique White is also in danger losing her home to foreclosure. The protesters say they’ll maintain the occupations until they win some justice.

#MinneapolisMN #HousingStruggles #Foreclosure #Eviction #OccupyWallStreet #OccupyMN #OccupyMinneapolis #BobbyHull

Starting now: Call & e-mail Hennepin County Commissioners to demand that they stop restricting Occupy Minneapolis’s right to protest & right to shelter!

Don’t dismantle Occupy Minneapolis tents on Wednesday – shelter is a human right! Stop threatening Occupy Minneapolis right to protest! Stop the intimidation and harassment of Occupy Minneapolis!

On Wednesday, occupiers and supporters will take action, setting up “99 Tents for the 99 Percent” on the plaza. County officials have been trying to coerce the protesters to cancel this event through the use of intimidation, harassment and threats. This is unacceptable. We need to stand up for the right to protest and the right to shelter. We need to pressure the County authorities to NOT dismantle or confiscate the tents on Wednesday, to not threaten the protesters with repression if they stand up for their basic rights.

Since Occupy Minneapolis started their protest at The People’s Plaza on October 7 as part of the global Occupy Wall Street movement, Hennepin County Sheriff Stanek and Hennepin County Administrators have refused to allow the protesters to have shelter from the weather. Since there was no actual policy forbidding shelter on the plaza, County Commissioners made up a new set of rules directly singling out Occupy Minneapolis’s protest, restricting protesters from sleeping or having shelter on the plaza. The public responded with an outpouring of support for the occupiers, as hundreds rallied, community and labor leaders spoke out, and 100 people slept out on the Plaza the first night the sleeping restriction was to take effect. Occupiers have continued to sleep on the Plaza every night since, and the Plaza has continued to serve as a central rallying point for the struggle to put people before profits.

As winter sets in and temperatures drop, the need for shelter must be defended. It is a question of basic rights and safety. Please call the County Commissioners to pressure them to keep hands off our tents and hands off the Occupy movement’s right to protest and right to shelter!

Call as many of the commissioners as you can, but if you can only call two, call Gail Dorfman and Peter McLaughlin.

Gail Dorfman: 612-348-7883 | gail.dorfman@co.hennepin.mn.us Peter McLaughlin: 612-348-7884 | commissioner.mclaughlin@co.hennepin.mn.us Mike Opat, chair: 612-348-7881 | mike.opat@co.hennepin.mn.us Mark Stenglein: 612-348-7882 | mark.stenglein@co.hennepin.mn.us Randy Johnson: 612-348-7885 | randy.johnson@co.hennepin.mn.us Jan Callison: 612-348-7886 | jan.callison@co.hennepin.mn.us Jeff Johnson: 612-348-7887 | jeff.r.johnson@co.hennepin.mn.us

#Minneapolis #MinneapolisMN #InJusticeSystem #PoliceBrutality #Eviction #OccupyWallStreet #OWS #OccupyMinneapolis #CallIn

Detroit, MI – Fight Back! interviewed Rosemary Williams, an important leader in the struggle against home foreclosures, at the U.S. Social Forum on June 24.

#DetroitMI #RosemaryWilliams #Interviews #HousingStruggles #Foreclosure #Eviction #USSF #USSocialForum

Minneapolis, MN – Friends, neighbors and other supporters joined the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout at the home of Michel Kidd, April 9. Kidd has been fighting to keep his home for over a year. He has had enough of the mortgage servicer, Aurora Loan Services, stalling, changing terms, ‘forgetting’ about past agreements and items faxed and mailed several times and apparently refusing to negotiate in good faith.

Michael Kidd is an independent trucker. In 2004 he put down $45,000 cash and got a regular, fixed-rate mortgage. Because of the recession, his trucking business slowed. Last year, he tried to renegotiate the terms of his mortgage so his payments would be more affordable – with the expectation, based on the terms of the federal Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), that the home’s current value to be taken into account.

In 2004, when Kidd bought the house, it was valued at $190,000. Now it is valued between $65,000 and $90,000. Aurora, in direct contradiction the federal HAMP program, is not offering to refinance the home at its ‘net present value.’

Mick Kelly, of the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout, puts it bluntly: “Michael Kidd is being robbed. Aurora is pressuring him into taking a bogus deal that only makes Aurora richer. They are basically turning his house into an ATM for the banks.”

Michael Kidd and many others who have lost homes on the north and south sides of Minneapolis are examples of the racial disparities in home foreclosures and remodifications. As an African American born and raised in North Minneapolis, Kidd says he could have moved away, but chose to stay and build his community. “I am not just speaking for me, but for thousands in my situation,” said Mr. Kidd. “There are empty homes all around this neighborhood. We don’t need any more.”

The Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout joins Michael Kidd in demanding that Aurora come to the table, follow the rules of the HAMP program and renegotiate the mortgage at the home’s current value.

“Give Mr. Kidd a deal he can afford,” says Linden Gawboy, of the Minnesota Coalition for a Peoples Bailout.

#MinneapolisMN #MinnesotaCoalitionForAPeoplesBailout #HousingStruggles #Foreclosure #Eviction #MichaelKidd

St. Paul, MN – About 100 people gathered here Feb. 4 on the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol for a protest that coincided with the opening of the Minnesota State Legislature. The Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout organized the protest. Standing at the top of a giant banner reading, “Tax the rich, no cuts to poor and working people,” Angel Buechner of the Welfare Rights Committee led the chant, “Hey politicians, here’s the fix – tax the rich! Tax the rich!”

Linden Gawboy, of the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout, gave the first speech, stating, “The MN Coalition for a People’s Bailout has legislation for a People’s Agenda. We demand jobs or income now. If this state does not do the right thing and give us jobs – we need income. We want unemployment benefits extended. We want a moratorium on the five-year limit on welfare. We want the creation of a public works program to put people to work now. We call for no layoffs, no furloughs and no attacks on wages, for state and University of Minnesota workers and for all workers. Now is the time to be protecting jobs, instead of putting more people in the unemployment lines.”

Gawboy continued, “We are sick of seeing destruction that foreclosures and evictions cause in our communities. We call for a moratorium on home foreclosures and on evictions from foreclosed properties.” Many participants at the rally held signs calling for a moratorium on foreclosures and evictions.

Mick Kelly, of the Minnesota Coalition for a Peoples Bailout said, “The economic crisis continues to hit poor and working people hard. Every month more jobs are lost and more homes hover on the brink of foreclosure. We are bringing the message to the politicians at the capitol that this is an emergency and something has to be done.”

He continued, “The rally is in support of House File 2604, which will place a moratorium on foreclosures and evictions of renters from foreclosed properties while the economic crisis is still hitting so many families.” Both HF2604 and its senate companion, SF2242 were introduced Feb. 4.

Charlene Wilford of the Welfare Rights Committee told the crowd, “To those politicians who just don’t get it, we say, ‘Get out here.’ Talk to the moms who have been surviving on $437.00 per month. Talk the homeowners who have given their blood, sweat and tears over the years, only to find themselves facing foreclosures by greedy banks. Talk to families whose unemployment insurance and welfare have hit their time limits.” The Welfare Rights Committee and the Coalition are promoting legislation that will place a moratorium on the five-year time limit on public assistance.

Trade unionists played a big role in the rally. Phyllis Walker, the president of AFSCME 3800 said, “We need to extend unemployment insurance in Minnesota. The homes of many of our union members are in jeopardy because their spouse is out of work and they cannot keep up the mortgage without unemployment payments.” Nearby, members of her local held the union’s banner.

Other labor leaders speaking at the rally included Bernie Hess, of the United Food and Commercial Workers and representatives of the SEIU Local 26, whose janitors recently authorized a strike.

Other speakers included representatives from the coalition’s youth, student, tenant, anti-war and immigrant rights member groups.

Deb Konechne of the Minnesota Coalition for a Peoples Bailout says that the coalition will undertake all out mobilizations to fight for justice at the capitol this legislative session.

#SaintPaulMN #PoorPeoplesMovements #MinnesotaCoalitionForAPeoplesBailout #HousingStruggles #Foreclosure #Eviction

St. Paul, MN – The battle is under way to put a moratorium on home forecloses in Minnesota. The first legislative hearing on an bill to put a moratorium on foreclosures and evictions began with a joint hearing by State Senate Economic Development and Housing Budget Division and Health and Housing and Family Security Committee, Jan. 27 at the Minnesota state capitol.

Before the hearing, there was a news conference featuring legislators who are sponsoring the legislation – state Senator Scott Dibble and state Representative Jeff Hayden – along with Deb Konechne of the Minnesota Coalition for a People's Bailout and Leslie Parks, a Minneapolis woman who is resisting foreclosure took place before the hearing.

At the press conference, Konechne stated, “The legislation being sponsored by Senator Dibble and Representative Hayden and being heard this week is an initiative to protect working and low-income people from the worst effects of the foreclosure crisis as well as protect tenants in rental properties that go into foreclosure.”

Konechne continued, “Low-income and working people did not create this crisis and we should not be losing our homes due to the economic crisis of the rich and powerful. The federal government is providing hundreds of billions of dollars to banks and corporations. Minnesota must take action.”

The Minnesota Coalition for a People's Bailout, a group of community, labor and other organizations, has been working with a broad range of community organizations to win support for the legislation.

The act would put in place protections for tenants in rental properties that are foreclosed.

“Tenants should not be evicted from their homes just because the landlord loses the property. Because the Legislature prescribes the foreclosure and eviction processes in this state, it can revise those processes to protect tenants in their homes,” said Peter Brown of Minnesota Tenants Union, who testified at the Jan. 27 senate hearing.

Phyllis Walker, president of AFSCME Local 3800 at the University of Minnesota, also testified. “When working people are laid off and cannot pay their mortgage, they try to renegotiate their loan. But it doesn't work because banks and lending institutions do not negotiate in good faith. They simply go through the motions and then foreclose on the property. Why is that? Is it because the home owner who has been paying a note every month for the past ten years can’t be trusted to live up to the terms of a new agreement? Is it because the bank or financial institution will take such a huge loss they will have to close their doors. The answer to both is no.”

The National Alliance to End Homelessness, in a January 2009 report, estimated that 1.5 million additional people in the U.S. would become homeless over the next two years. This is over and above the number who would experience homelessness without the effects of the economic crisis.

“With the unemployment rate staying high for some period of time, with the overall effects of the economic crisis, working and low income people and our communities need continued protection from losing our homes and stability,” said the Bailout Coalition's Alan Dale.

The Minnesota Coalition for People's Bailout is planning a demonstration for Feb. 4, the opening day of the legislature. The bill for a moratorium on foreclosures will be formally introduced that day.

#StPaulMN #CapitalismAndEconomy #MinnesotaCoalitionForAPeoplesBailout #HousingStruggles #DebKonechne #Foreclosure #Eviction #LeslieParks

Minneapolis, MN – Leslie Parks and her backers went to housing court Dec. 9 and filed papers against IndyMac/One West for doing an unlawful lockout. Leslie Parks had arrived home the night before only to find that all the locks had been changed on her home.

In a preliminary order, the judge ruled that IndyMac must let Leslie back into her home.

Meanwhile, the CEO of IndyMac, Terry Laughlin, called Parks, leaving a message that included an apology. Later, in a phone call with Park’s lawyer, IndyMac CEO Laughlin explained that they were taking full responsibility for the lockout and again he wished to offer great apologies to the Parks family. “I want to become personally involved in this,” he added. He also said that locksmiths were standing by outside Leslie Parks' home to repair the locks.

It took the locksmiths over two hours to fix all the locks at Leslie's house. In all, eight locks had to be replaced – including padlocked closet doors in the basement and interior of the house. There was a lot of senseless damage done to wrench open locked doors.

“We will continue this fight until the Parks family gets justice,” stated Linden Gawboy of the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout.

#MinneapolisMN #CapitalismAndEconomy #MinnesotaCoalitionForAPeoplesBailout #HousingStruggles #Foreclosure #Eviction #LeslieParks

Minneapolis, MN – On the night of Dec. 8, in a freezing blizzard, Leslie Parks returned from her job to find that IndyMac/One West had changed the locks to her home.

Locking Leslie Parks out of her home is illegal. In fact it is beyond illegal, given the struggle that Leslie Parks is waging to keep her home. It is a cynical breach of what all assumed were good faith negotiations on the part of IndyMac/One West.

After the start of national call-in week to IndyMac officials, organized by the Network to Fight for Economic Justice, IndyMac informed Leslie Parks, in writing, on Nov. 25 that they were rescinding both the foreclosure and the sheriffs sale. According to Ms. Parks, “I got an email from IndyMac stating, and I quote, 'In an effort to work with you and your mother and come to a resolution, we have started the process of rescinding the Trusteed Sale which took place on May 29, 2009.' They go on to say, and again I quote, 'You expressed concern that at the end of the redemption period (on Monday November 30, 2009) you and your mother will be evicted from the property. Rest assured, that will not take place due to the rescission of the foreclosure sale.'”

On Monday, Nov. 30, the Parks family and advocates had a phone conference with IndyMac to renew negotiations for the home. But 8 days later, IndyMac locked Leslie Parks out.

The Minnesota Coalition for a People's Bailout and the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign are putting out an action alert to call IndyMac about this situation.

Bailout lawyers also point out that even if IndyMac had not come to the table, the next step would be a notice to come to court for eviction proceedings. In no case should the locks be changed. “They did the same thing in May of this year – changed the locks illegally. We had to take them to court and fine them, and we will do it again,” said Deb Konechne, of the Minnesota Coalition for a People's Bailout.

#MinneapolisMN #CapitalismAndEconomy #MinnesotaCoalitionForAPeoplesBailout #HousingStruggles #Foreclosure #Eviction #LeslieParks

Minneapolis, MN – Friends, neighbors and supporters of Leslie Parks, a longtime resident of south Minneapolis who is facing foreclosure, gathered in front of her home Nov. 19, to demand that her mortgage holder – IndyMac – come to the table and reach an agreement that allows Parks to remain in her home.

Linden Gawboy, of the Minnesota Coalition for a People's Bailout announced a national call in campaign to pressure IndyMac. The campaign has the backing of the Network to Fight for Economic Justice.

The following call is being circulated by the Network to Fight for Economic Justice:

Save Leslie Parks' home!

CALL

IndyMac/One West – the company trying to steal another home from our community.

1. Steven Mnuchin – One West Bank chairman of the board of directors: 212-301-8400.

2. IndyMac/One West: 800-669-2300, then hit 3 (directory), then zero for operator, who refers you to “Corporate Customer Experience.” Leave a message, which “will be returned in 24 hours.” Direct this message to CEO Terry Laughlin.

Explain you are calling about the Parks property at 3749 Park Ave in Minneapolis. Tell them to quit stalling and come to the table – before the redemption period ends on Nov. 30 – so the Parks family can keep their home. Ms. Parks has secured enough financing for a viable “short sale,” and her offer should be accepted.

Also, make the point that they are reaping a corrupt “benefit” from the fraudulent practice of a mortgage broker that sold Tecora Parks on an ARM on behalf of IndyMac. They are making money off of a swindle. We are sick of banks wrecking our communities.

IndyMac thinks it can make big bucks trying to steal this home, but it won't, because Leslie Parks has no intention of giving up!

Background info:

Leslie Parks lives in south Minneapolis. Her family has owned the building for nearly 20 years. Because of needing to pay for city-ordered storm windows, Leslie’s mother was swindled into getting an ARM (adjustable rate mortgage). The man from Allied Mortgage who sold her the ARM lied and insisted it was a conventional loan. It is important to note that Ms. Parks had perfect credit and qualified for a conventional loan hands down. But she was lied to, got swindled into an ARM, and after months of trying to keep up, both Leslie and her mother lost their good credit and went into foreclosure.

Time is short. The 'redemption period' ends Nov. 30. If nothing changes, at that point IndyMac can start eviction proceedings.

OneWest/IndyMac Federal Bank FSB is the bank that owns the mortgage. Some IndyMac reps are claiming that they won't do a “short payoff” during the redemption period. Leslie is working on securing financing and actually has enough for a viable short payoff, if only IndyMac would agree. “I feel like IndyMac is giving us the runaround again, like have done since the beginning,” states Leslie Parks. Advocates have noted that it is common for banks to agree so some kind of short sale during the redemption period.

The FDIC stepped in to bail out the IndyMac investors and gifted the bank to OneWest. In this time of economic crisis, we need to make it clear that it’s time that the people get some help.

Contact us and let us know you called IndyMac/OneWest...

Network to Fight for Economic Justice

info@WeSayFightBack.com

#MinneapolisMN #CapitalismAndEconomy #MinnesotaCoalitionForAPeoplesBailout #HousingStruggles #Foreclosure #Eviction #LeslieParks

Minneapolis, MN – More than 40 family, friends, neighbors and other community supporters gathered at the home of Rosemary Williams Aug. 24 to show support for the continued fight against foreclosure and eviction.

Rosemary Williams thanked all who came and stated that she was prepared to continue the fight for as long as it took. Mick Kelly, of the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout said that efforts would be made to turn up the heat on politicians and bankers in the upcoming weeks.

A statement issued by organizers says in part, “Monday will represent 18 days of the sit in at the home of Rosemary Williams to stand-up against the attempt to foreclose and evict her from her home of 22 years. Over the last 18 days, since Aug. 7 when Hennepin County Sheriff deputies came to evict the Williams family, hundreds of people have come out to support Rosemary Williams and the fight to save her home. When the sheriff deputies left 18 days ago the Williams home was quickly reopened and has been at the center of the effort to stop foreclosures and evictions.”

The statement continues, “For the past year Rosemary Williams has been fighting not only to save her own home, but to fight against foreclosure and evictions effecting thousands of Minnesotans and millions of people around the country.”

Earlier in the day, Rosemary Williams, along with members of the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout and the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign showed up at a city-sponsored housing ceremony where they demanded a moratorium on home foreclosures.

#MinneapolisMN #Foreclosures #RosemaryWilliams #HousingStruggles #Eviction

Minneapolis, MN – Fight Back! News is reporting from the home of Rosemary Williams on the 3100 block of Clinton Ave S. in Minneapolis, MN.  Early this afternoon, Hennepin County Sheriff Deputies came to Rosemary’s home and evicted Rosemary, her daughter in law and two of her grandchildren.  The deputies carried out the wishes of GMAC mortgage with calculated precision.  They allowed the Williams family to collect a few personal items, then changed the locks on the home and padlocked the garage.  A family locked away from their life so the GMAC can be the proud owners of another vacant home on a block with 7 other vacant homes.

This eviction is not like the others though.  Rosemary Williams has been fighting this eviction from the very beginning and that struggle is continuing.  Within one hour of the eviction supporters from the Minnesota Campaign for a People's Bailout, Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign, neighbors and many others from the South Minneapolis Community gathered at Rosemary’s home.  The house was reopened in the name of the Williams family.  It is currently being occupied by more than 50 people.  Many have vowed to remain in the home for as long as it takes for Rosemary to get her home back from the bank.

Linden Gawboy from the Welfare Rights Committee and the MN Coalition for a Peoples Bailout said, “I am here to save Rosemary’s home. GMAC are criminals. You can see that the neighborhood and the community has come together because we are sick of seeing people who have worked all their lives for their homes lose them in the blink of an eye.”

The Williams family has been devastated by economic crisis and the greed of GMAC Mortgage.  While the banks, including GMAC got bailed out by billions in tax dollars, homeowners like Rosemary have been left at the mercy of greedy banks.

While the greedy banks and the fat cats who run them collect huge salaries, this modest home where Rosemary Williams has raised children, nurtured grandchildren has become a living example of the foreclosure crisis playing out all across the country.  It is also a living example of a fight back against this crisis.

Save Rosemary Williams Home!

Support the Occupation!

#MinneapolisMN #News #Foreclosures #RosemaryWilliams #HousingStruggles #Eviction

“The only people who have fared well under Pawlenty are the rich. What have the rich seen under Pawlenty’s rule? The rich have seen more and more and more money in their pockets, billions of dollars in permanent tax breaks, corporate tax loopholes that save them hundreds of millions a year. Under Pawlenty, the rich have seen their riches grow and grow, while the rest of us have seen our lives destroyed,” said MNWRC’s Virginia Weldon.

Despite the rain, protesters chanted, “Minnesota’s poor can’t take four more!” as they forced dozens of soggy signs on the beleaguered guards behind the fence. Some of the signs included enlarged copies of actual eviction summons the women had received, complete with sheriff’s seals.

Sandee Heywood, a woman on oxygen, stepped away from her walker and delivered a five-foot eviction notice (created from a papered-over 2002 Pawlenty campaign sign) over the top of the gate to the mansion’s guards.

#StPaulMN #SaintPaulMN #PoorPeoplesMovements #News #Pawlenty #Eviction

Word was, building owners were preparing to carry out a mass eviction April 2. Everyone was in an uproar. Management did not give notice. The residents had 5 days to stop the eviction. About 40 families were living there.

Chili George, Rodeway resident and member of the Welfare Rights Committee (WRC), organized tenants to force the Rodeway management, directors of the Art Institute, and city and county officials to deal with the demands of the mistreated homeless families.

The WRC turned up the heat on management and government officials, with a series of protests and press conferences – including one demonstration where more than 40 angry people marched into the Minneapolis Institute of Arts on 'Family Day,' chanting “No Justice, No, Peace!”

#MinneapolisMN #CapitalismAndEconomy #News #WelfareRightsCommittee #HousingStruggles #Protest #Eviction