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 – Under the call of “Foreclose the war, not people's homes,” more than 100 people joined a protest here to mark the Martin Luther King holiday weekend. Demonstrators gathered at the home of Leslie Parks, an African American woman who is fighting back against the attempt to foreclose on her home. Later, participants gathered at Saint Joan of Arc Church. The events were organized by the Iraq Peace Action Coalition and the Minnesota Coalition for a People's Bailout.

Speakers at the events included Mel Reeves, a prominent community activist; Jennie Eisert, a leader of the Minnesota Coalition for a People's Bailout, Leslie Parks and other activists.

Speaking in front of her home, Leslie Parks stated “This war has been going on for far too long. It's time to bring our troops home to their families. All of the money that has been used on this war could have been used to pay off every home owner's mortgage in America. It is now time to foreclose on the war, not on families homes.”

Jennie Eisert told the crowd assembled at the church, “We are sick and tired of the government helping the banks and Wall Street when they are the reason we got into this mess.” She also spoke about a bill that will be introduced when the state legislature opens to put a two-year moratorium on home foreclosures and evictions from foreclosed prosperities.

A statement by Iraq Peace Action Coalition says in part, “The U.S. government spends billions for the wars and occupations in Afghanistan and Iraq, even as working and low income people are facing the worst economic crisis in decades. Millions of people are facing foreclosure, unemployment and budget cuts. On Martin Luther King Jr. weekend we call for and end to the U.S. wars and occupations and for the war budget to instead be used for education, housing, health care and other human needs.”

The Iraq Peace Action Coalition statement also calls on people to join anti-war protests on Saturday, March 20. “March 20 will mark seven years of the U.S. war and occupation in Iraq. On March 20 there will be protests and demonstrations in Washington D.C., San Francisco and Los Angeles. In Minneapolis a protest will also be held that day as part of building a movement to end the wars and occupations.”

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #MinnesotaCoalitionForAPeoplesBailout #HousingStruggles #IraqPeaceActionCoalition #LeslieParks

Minneapolis, MN – Neighbors and supporters rallied at the home of Leslie Parks, Dec. 18, demanding an end to foreclosures and evictions. Parks has made it clear that she will not be foreclosed out of her home. This was the first public action since Dec. 8, when IndyMac/One West Bank temporarily locked Leslie out of her home.

Linden Gawboy, of the MN Coalition for a People's Bailout, spoke to the crowd about the struggle Parks has gone through, and urged support for a bill that will be introduced at the state legislature that puts a two-year moratorium on home foreclosures.

Leslie Parks is one of those at the forefront of the battle against unjust foreclosures and evictions. Ms. Parks has inspired thousands across the country with her fight to keep her home in the family.

Since mid-November, there has been a successful national call-in campaign, spearheaded by the Network to Fight for Economic Justice, to IndyMac/One West bank with callers demanding that the bank come to the table and accept a deal that Leslie Parks can afford. Around Thanksgiving, IndyMac/One West began the process of actually rescinding the foreclosure and sheriff's sale. “This amazing development was an inspiration to many,” said Gawboy.

Leslie Parks' house has been a stand-out on the block for months – it is emblazoned with banners, posters and signs to inspire everyone to resist the foreclosures and evictions that are devastating our communities. At previous rallies at the Parks’ house, there have been countless honks of support from passing cars.

“Leslie Parks is fighter all the way. So many people are being jerked around by these big banks. Leslie shows that if we get out there, stand up and speak out we have a hope for change,” said Deb Konechne, of the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout.

#MinneapolisMN #MinnesotaCoalitionForAPeoplesBailout #Foreclosures #HousingStruggles #Evictions #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 – Supporters of Leslie Parks gathered at her home holding signs and banners, visible to rush hour traffic on the morning of Nov. 30. They demanded that IndyMac/One West Bank come to just settlement with the Parks family that allows Leslie Parks to keep her home.

Linden Gawboy, of the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout, stated, “We are here to let the public know that this is the place and now is the time to stop foreclosures and evictions. We will not let our communities be destroyed by banks and mortgage brokers.”

The Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout is pushing for a statewide, two-year moratorium on home foreclosures and a moratorium on the eviction of tenants from foreclosed properties.

Leslie Parks is at the center of the movement to resist home foreclosures. She has made it clear that she has no intention of walking away from her home. Hundreds of friends and neighbors have rallied to her cause and she is getting support from across the country.

The day before Thanksgiving, there was an important advance for Leslie Parks: IndyMac/One West Bank has decided to come to the table to talk to the Parks family about the situation. The ‘redemption period’ was supposed to end Nov. 30. But instead, IndyMac is rescinding the sheriff’s sale, giving added time for Ms. Parks to fight to keep the house in the family.

Mick Kelly, of the Network to Fight for Economic Justice stated, “We have been urging people around the country to call IndyMac to demand a fair shake for Leslie Parks. We are ready to take more actions to support her.”

#MinneapolisMN #Foreclosures #MinnesotaCoalitionForAPeoplesBailout #HousingStruggles #Evictions #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 – Over 50 people gathered at the home of Leslie Parks, Nov. 13, to declare solidarity for Leslie Parks and her mother as they fight foreclosure and eviction.

Ms. Parks has made it clear that she will not be put on the streets when the 'redemption period' ends on Nov. 30. “IndyMac Federal Bank needs to come to the table and give my family justice. I have no intention of walking away from the place I call home,” she said before the event.

The campaign to save the Parks home was organized by the Minnesota Coalition for a People's Bailout and the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign.

Parks explained to the crowd that her mother, Tecora Parks, owns the duplex where Leslie lives. After city-ordered upgrades, Tecora Parks was swindled into getting an ARM [adjustable rate mortgage] by an employee of Allied Mortgage. The man who sold her the ARM lied and insisted it was a conventional loan. It is important to note that Tecora Parks had perfect credit and qualified for a conventional loan hands down. But she was lied to, got swindled into an ARM, lost her good credit and went into foreclosure. Leslie Parks points out, “He got more of a commission by selling an ARM.”

Mick Kelly, of the Minnesota Coalition for a People's Bailout, spoke to the crowd: “The economic crisis that has gripped the U.S. has cast millions into poverty and foreclosed many out of their homes. It has also created heroes – like Leslie Parks, who has said 'Enough is enough!' Now is the time. Foreclosures will end here!”

Leslie Parks and the groups organizing the fight back encouraged attendees to be ready for more and more escalating actions, both up to Nov. 30 and beyond.

#MinneapolisMN #CapitalismAndEconomy #MinnesotaCoalitionForAPeoplesBailout #Foreclosures #HousingStruggles #Evictions #LeslieParks

Minneapolis, MN – More than 50 people gathered here, for an Oct. 28 mass community meeting to demand a moratorium on foreclosures and for protections for renters in foreclosed properties. Organized by the Minnesota Coalition for a People's Bailout, the meeting brought together people facing foreclosures, trade unionists, welfare rights activists and concerned members of the community.

Deb Konechne, of the Coalition for a People's Bailout and the Welfare Rights Committee opened the meeting by stating that the Coalition was preparing to wage a determined fight in the upcoming legislative session to force government to address some of the worst effects of the ongoing economic crisis. Linden Gawboy, also of the Coalition, then outlined plans to fight for a moratorium on foreclosures.

Rosemary Williams, who waged a militant fight to defend her home, urged people to stay strong in the battles ahead. Leslie Parks, of south Minneapolis, is in foreclosure and stated she would not leave her home.

Other speakers included Peter Brown of the Minnesota Tenants Union and Coalition for a People’s Bailout and Minnesota State Senator Linda Berglin.

The Coalition's Mick Kelly stated, “We are up against some serious enemies – the banks and the politicians that are controlled by them.” He urged people to stand with those facing foreclosures and to join the effort for a moratorium.

#MinneapolisMN #CapitalismAndEconomy #WelfareRightsCommittee #MinnesotaCoalitionForAPeoplesBailout #RosemaryWilliams #HousingStruggles #LeslieParks