Monday, August 31, 2009
Sisters of the Road - 2009 Accomplishments!
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Sisters has been notified that our organization is on Oregon Business Magazine's 2009list of the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon. The rankings were based on the confidential input of employees who answered 60 questions about workplace satisfaction such as benefits, management, trust, work environment and development.
Sisters received the Spirit of Portland Award as one of two top non-profits.
Sisters Of The Road was named a 2009 Oregon Food Bank Agency Excellence Award winner. The award came with a $500 prize to support the many warm, nutritious meals served in our Cafe each day.
Voices from the Street was named a Silver Medal Winner for the 2008 Nautilus Book Award. It was also nominated for the Robert F. Kennedy book award and the C. Wright Mills book award.
Our Personalist Center (PC), designed by Communitecture, won a first-place Root Award in the 'Work:Entry' category from Portland Spaces magazine.
We completed another year in the Cafe with three 100% scores on health inspections by the Multnomah County Health Department - our second consecutive year of all 100%s!
The full list of accomplishments for 2008-09 is posted here on our website!
Sisters received the Spirit of Portland Award as one of two top non-profits.
Sisters Of The Road was named a 2009 Oregon Food Bank Agency Excellence Award winner. The award came with a $500 prize to support the many warm, nutritious meals served in our Cafe each day.
Voices from the Street was named a Silver Medal Winner for the 2008 Nautilus Book Award. It was also nominated for the Robert F. Kennedy book award and the C. Wright Mills book award.
Our Personalist Center (PC), designed by Communitecture, won a first-place Root Award in the 'Work:Entry' category from Portland Spaces magazine.
We completed another year in the Cafe with three 100% scores on health inspections by the Multnomah County Health Department - our second consecutive year of all 100%s!
The full list of accomplishments for 2008-09 is posted here on our website!
Labels: Oregon, Oregon Business Magazine's 2009list of the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon, Sisters of the Road
Saturday, August 29, 2009
A Just Cause vs. an Unjust Eviction: Q&A with Karen Mims [VIDEO]
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Racewire Blog
Channing Kennedy
A Just Cause vs. an Unjust Eviction: Q&A with Karen Mims [VIDEO]
Last year, a speculator showed up to inspect Karen Mims’ home. That’s how Karen found out that her home of 12 years was getting foreclosed on.
Fast-forward through a year of legal struggles and unanswered phone calls. At 6:00 AM on Tuesday, August 11, a crowd of over 50 people gathered outside Karen’s house in East Oakland’s foreclosure-plagued District 7, as part of Just Cause Oakland’s protest of her eviction. Karen has found herself nearly out of options, and at this point must file with the court for a stay of eviction on a day-by-day basis.
Karen’s story is by no means uncommon these days. Homecoming, the company that initially took on her refinanced loan in 2007, lost a payment of hers. After Homecoming was bought out by Delaware-based Aurora Loan Services, Aurora agreed to place Karen in a repayment plan. They also could have modified Karen’s loan, changing either the number of payments or the amount of each payment while leaving the total sum owed the same. Instead, Aurora filed for a court order to evict.
Foreclosures have hit communities of color hardest of all. As the Applied Research Center’s Race and Recession report notes, redlining and other racist policies in past decades helped make communities of color into prime territory for unregulated subprime loans and predatory lenders. As a result, middle- and upper-income Black families were more likely than low-income white families to be sold a subprime loan.
What makes Karen’s story so frustrating, thought this is by no means unique to her, is Aurora’s response to her attempts to get her loan modified. Aurora’s approach has been — very simply — not to pick up the phone. Ever. For anyone. The office of District 7 Councilman Larry Reid had called Aurora 22 times as of two weeks ago, with no response. Just Cause Oakland has a campaign organized specially to call Aurora until someone answers.
Aurora's ability to act or not act without consequences is symptomatic of the federal governments mismanagement of the foreclosure crisis. In an interview with KPFA (direct audio mp3 link), Just Cause Oakland's Matt Nelson points out that financial giant Wells Fargo claims to have neither a plan for dealing with an increased volume of foreclosures and loan modifications, nor the resources to train up their staff to handle them. This is the same Wells Fargo that's received $25 billion in taxpayer money as part of the bank bailout, by the way.
While measures like Making Homes Affordable help some homeowners, the qualifications are prohibitively restrictive. And while Oakland passed Measure EE, the Just Cause Act, in 2002, the measure only protects renters whose landlords face foreclosure. Neither law helps Karen, a homeowner who's willing to negotiate, but whose loan company won't even answer the phone.
DSC04625.JPG
I spoke with Karen on Thursday, the day before her first stay of eviction expired.
-------------
RaceWire: You bought your house back in 1997. Why did you want to buy a house?
Karen Mims: I bought a house for a sense of stability. I wanted to have a place where anyone I knew could have a place to stay, if they became unexpectedly ill, or if they just fell on hard times. And I did have a couple of friends staying with me who were in need, but since the foreclosure, they've moved out.
RW: Control of your loan was passed around to several companies, as banks bought and sold bundled mortgages and as agencies got absorbed into each other. While your mortgage is now held by Aurora, it was initially through Homecoming. When you refinanced in 2007, why did you choose Homecoming?
KM: I actually didn't choose Homecoming -- that was just the group picked by the real estate agent that I worked with when I refinanced. He picked them, I assume, because he thought that going with them would be a good idea.
RW: What does your neighborhood look like? Is it predominantly people of color?
KM: My neighborhood is mostly people of color -- Hispanic and African-American. The foreclosure crisis crosses the ethnic line, however.
RW: Does your neighborhood have a lot of foreclosures? Has it always?
KM: The whole neighborhood is inundated with foreclosures, completely inundated. It kind of has the appearance of a ghost town. You'll see a family one week, and the next time you look up, they're gone. It's been that way for a couple of years or more. Before then, maybe you just didn't hear about it, due to the silence of the people involved; they wouldn't want to divulge a lot of their personal affairs.
As the crisis began to build, though, it became unmissable. I took a tour a few months back, just to meet everyone, but — so many of the houses were abandoned! I wanted to make an effort to sit down and communicate, and to be more effective then one person working alone; to be a group of people working together.
RW: And speaking of working together... Once Aurora's application for a court order for eviction was approved, the only thing that could legally stop it was another court order, which you got. The most visible part of Just Cause Oakland's work has been rallying the community, but they've also helped you work through the courts to stay in your home. Tell us about that.
KM: Just Cause has been wonderful. They've given me a lot of really firm support; I have nothing but admiration for them. With Just Cause's help, I applied for a stay with the court, and so far I've been granted one. I'm applying for another stay on Friday; it's then up to the judge to approve it. And then I wait around until it's approved by the judge.
RW: Does Just Cause have more rallies planned around your case?
KM: Yes, there might be another rally at my home in the immediate future.
RW: How do groups like Aurora make money off of foreclosures? How does it benefit them to evict rather than to modify a loan?
KM: I don't know. I honestly haven't figured that one out.
RW: What's the big-picture solution to the foreclosure crisis?
KM: We need strong, solid legislation that helps people like myself, and so far, politicians as a group have been shying away from that. They really need to hear the voices of everyone who's affected -- not just the homeowners, but their daughters who get affected, their mothers who get affected, the neighborhood, and everyone who's affected by the economy. I don't know who hasn't been touched by it! We need to stand collectively.
RW: Do you feel optimistic about the future?
KM: I do. It's by no means easy at all; it's a very stressful situation to be in, but I feel as though I'm in good hands, and we're taking it day by day and we're standing our ground. After all, it is a just cause.
------------
DSC04682.JPG
From Just Cause Oakland:
We must keep on the pressure. Karen Mims needs our support. Please call Aurora Loan Services’ legal representative, Nicole Kim, at (720) 945-3217, and the loan officer in charge of Karen’s loan, Carrie Black, at (720) 945-4566.
We are demanding they rescind the eviction for Karen Mims, Loan No. 0021802152. Just Cause Oakland is also asking for people to make donations to Karen so that she can stay in her home. The rent that Aurora is asking her to pay is $50 a day. If you can donate a day or part of a day, that would be greatly appreciated. To make a donation, contact Just Cause Oakland at JustCauseOakland.org, or at (510) 763-5877.
Video at top: Lisa Gray-Garcia of POOR Magazine interviews Ray Leon, representative for Oakland's District 7 Councilmember Larry Reid, at Just Cause Oakland's rally at the home of Karen Mims. Check out Lisa's coverage of the event at SF BayView. Photos courtesy of Just Cause Oakland.
Channing Kennedy
A Just Cause vs. an Unjust Eviction: Q&A with Karen Mims [VIDEO]
Last year, a speculator showed up to inspect Karen Mims’ home. That’s how Karen found out that her home of 12 years was getting foreclosed on.
Fast-forward through a year of legal struggles and unanswered phone calls. At 6:00 AM on Tuesday, August 11, a crowd of over 50 people gathered outside Karen’s house in East Oakland’s foreclosure-plagued District 7, as part of Just Cause Oakland’s protest of her eviction. Karen has found herself nearly out of options, and at this point must file with the court for a stay of eviction on a day-by-day basis.
Karen’s story is by no means uncommon these days. Homecoming, the company that initially took on her refinanced loan in 2007, lost a payment of hers. After Homecoming was bought out by Delaware-based Aurora Loan Services, Aurora agreed to place Karen in a repayment plan. They also could have modified Karen’s loan, changing either the number of payments or the amount of each payment while leaving the total sum owed the same. Instead, Aurora filed for a court order to evict.
Foreclosures have hit communities of color hardest of all. As the Applied Research Center’s Race and Recession report notes, redlining and other racist policies in past decades helped make communities of color into prime territory for unregulated subprime loans and predatory lenders. As a result, middle- and upper-income Black families were more likely than low-income white families to be sold a subprime loan.
What makes Karen’s story so frustrating, thought this is by no means unique to her, is Aurora’s response to her attempts to get her loan modified. Aurora’s approach has been — very simply — not to pick up the phone. Ever. For anyone. The office of District 7 Councilman Larry Reid had called Aurora 22 times as of two weeks ago, with no response. Just Cause Oakland has a campaign organized specially to call Aurora until someone answers.
Aurora's ability to act or not act without consequences is symptomatic of the federal governments mismanagement of the foreclosure crisis. In an interview with KPFA (direct audio mp3 link), Just Cause Oakland's Matt Nelson points out that financial giant Wells Fargo claims to have neither a plan for dealing with an increased volume of foreclosures and loan modifications, nor the resources to train up their staff to handle them. This is the same Wells Fargo that's received $25 billion in taxpayer money as part of the bank bailout, by the way.
While measures like Making Homes Affordable help some homeowners, the qualifications are prohibitively restrictive. And while Oakland passed Measure EE, the Just Cause Act, in 2002, the measure only protects renters whose landlords face foreclosure. Neither law helps Karen, a homeowner who's willing to negotiate, but whose loan company won't even answer the phone.
DSC04625.JPG
I spoke with Karen on Thursday, the day before her first stay of eviction expired.
-------------
RaceWire: You bought your house back in 1997. Why did you want to buy a house?
Karen Mims: I bought a house for a sense of stability. I wanted to have a place where anyone I knew could have a place to stay, if they became unexpectedly ill, or if they just fell on hard times. And I did have a couple of friends staying with me who were in need, but since the foreclosure, they've moved out.
RW: Control of your loan was passed around to several companies, as banks bought and sold bundled mortgages and as agencies got absorbed into each other. While your mortgage is now held by Aurora, it was initially through Homecoming. When you refinanced in 2007, why did you choose Homecoming?
KM: I actually didn't choose Homecoming -- that was just the group picked by the real estate agent that I worked with when I refinanced. He picked them, I assume, because he thought that going with them would be a good idea.
RW: What does your neighborhood look like? Is it predominantly people of color?
KM: My neighborhood is mostly people of color -- Hispanic and African-American. The foreclosure crisis crosses the ethnic line, however.
RW: Does your neighborhood have a lot of foreclosures? Has it always?
KM: The whole neighborhood is inundated with foreclosures, completely inundated. It kind of has the appearance of a ghost town. You'll see a family one week, and the next time you look up, they're gone. It's been that way for a couple of years or more. Before then, maybe you just didn't hear about it, due to the silence of the people involved; they wouldn't want to divulge a lot of their personal affairs.
As the crisis began to build, though, it became unmissable. I took a tour a few months back, just to meet everyone, but — so many of the houses were abandoned! I wanted to make an effort to sit down and communicate, and to be more effective then one person working alone; to be a group of people working together.
RW: And speaking of working together... Once Aurora's application for a court order for eviction was approved, the only thing that could legally stop it was another court order, which you got. The most visible part of Just Cause Oakland's work has been rallying the community, but they've also helped you work through the courts to stay in your home. Tell us about that.
KM: Just Cause has been wonderful. They've given me a lot of really firm support; I have nothing but admiration for them. With Just Cause's help, I applied for a stay with the court, and so far I've been granted one. I'm applying for another stay on Friday; it's then up to the judge to approve it. And then I wait around until it's approved by the judge.
RW: Does Just Cause have more rallies planned around your case?
KM: Yes, there might be another rally at my home in the immediate future.
RW: How do groups like Aurora make money off of foreclosures? How does it benefit them to evict rather than to modify a loan?
KM: I don't know. I honestly haven't figured that one out.
RW: What's the big-picture solution to the foreclosure crisis?
KM: We need strong, solid legislation that helps people like myself, and so far, politicians as a group have been shying away from that. They really need to hear the voices of everyone who's affected -- not just the homeowners, but their daughters who get affected, their mothers who get affected, the neighborhood, and everyone who's affected by the economy. I don't know who hasn't been touched by it! We need to stand collectively.
RW: Do you feel optimistic about the future?
KM: I do. It's by no means easy at all; it's a very stressful situation to be in, but I feel as though I'm in good hands, and we're taking it day by day and we're standing our ground. After all, it is a just cause.
------------
DSC04682.JPG
From Just Cause Oakland:
We must keep on the pressure. Karen Mims needs our support. Please call Aurora Loan Services’ legal representative, Nicole Kim, at (720) 945-3217, and the loan officer in charge of Karen’s loan, Carrie Black, at (720) 945-4566.
We are demanding they rescind the eviction for Karen Mims, Loan No. 0021802152. Just Cause Oakland is also asking for people to make donations to Karen so that she can stay in her home. The rent that Aurora is asking her to pay is $50 a day. If you can donate a day or part of a day, that would be greatly appreciated. To make a donation, contact Just Cause Oakland at JustCauseOakland.org, or at (510) 763-5877.
Video at top: Lisa Gray-Garcia of POOR Magazine interviews Ray Leon, representative for Oakland's District 7 Councilmember Larry Reid, at Just Cause Oakland's rally at the home of Karen Mims. Check out Lisa's coverage of the event at SF BayView. Photos courtesy of Just Cause Oakland.
Labels: Aurora Loan Services, Eviction, Foreclosure, Karen Mims
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Press Release: Demands placed on Mayor to save Rosemary’s Home -- Rybak’s office to provide answers tomorrow
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*************
For release: Aug. 19, 2009
Demands placed on Mayor to save Rosemary's Home --
Rybak's office to provide answers tomorrow
On Wednesday, August 19, Rosemary Williams and her supporters crowded into the office of Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. Although the Mayor knew the group was coming, he chose not to be there and instead dispatched his aides Erica Prosser and Sherman Patterson to deal with the questions from the crowd.
We had two main questions for the Mayor Rybak. First, what will the mayor do to intervene in order to make sure that Rosemary Williams can get her house back? And second, if the various financial institutions that have their claws in Ms. Williams's house ask for legal action, will the mayor's office stop any police action?
Ms. Prosser told the crowd that she would talk to the mayor and would call Rosemary's lawyer, Jordan Kushner, with answers by noon on Thursday, Aug. 20. Regardless of the answers, we will use every means we have to make sure Rosemary keeps her home.
Since August 7, hundreds of people have come out to support Rosemary Williams to save her family home. Ms. Williams has lived on the block for 55 years. She has spent a year speaking out against foreclosure and evictions on every level, always noting that she has not been fighting just for herself but others in the same situation. Ms. Williams is proving to be ray of hope to other families facing foreclosure around the country.
MN Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign - Cheri Honkala: 267-439-8419, Ann Patterson"612-940-1040
MN Coalition for a People's Bailout - Mick Kelly: 612-715-3280, Linden Gawboy: 612-296-5649
--30--
For release: Aug. 19, 2009
Demands placed on Mayor to save Rosemary's Home --
Rybak's office to provide answers tomorrow
On Wednesday, August 19, Rosemary Williams and her supporters crowded into the office of Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. Although the Mayor knew the group was coming, he chose not to be there and instead dispatched his aides Erica Prosser and Sherman Patterson to deal with the questions from the crowd.
We had two main questions for the Mayor Rybak. First, what will the mayor do to intervene in order to make sure that Rosemary Williams can get her house back? And second, if the various financial institutions that have their claws in Ms. Williams's house ask for legal action, will the mayor's office stop any police action?
Ms. Prosser told the crowd that she would talk to the mayor and would call Rosemary's lawyer, Jordan Kushner, with answers by noon on Thursday, Aug. 20. Regardless of the answers, we will use every means we have to make sure Rosemary keeps her home.
Since August 7, hundreds of people have come out to support Rosemary Williams to save her family home. Ms. Williams has lived on the block for 55 years. She has spent a year speaking out against foreclosure and evictions on every level, always noting that she has not been fighting just for herself but others in the same situation. Ms. Williams is proving to be ray of hope to other families facing foreclosure around the country.
MN Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign - Cheri Honkala: 267-439-8419, Ann Patterson"612-940-1040
MN Coalition for a People's Bailout - Mick Kelly: 612-715-3280, Linden Gawboy: 612-296-5649
--30--
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Press Release:
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For immediate release
August 18, 2009
Rosemary Williams and supporters to take demands to Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak
On Wednesday, Aug. 19, 11:00 a.m, Rosemary Williams, her supporters and neighbors will gather outside Minneapolis City Hall at 350 S 5th Street (south side, across from the light rail station). From there, we will be taking our demands to Mayor R.T. Rybak's office.
We will demand that Mayor Rybak use his powers to allow Rosemary to keep her home. Mayor Rybak has connections with the powers that be in the city, statewide and nationwide - with the non-profit and business communities, with the movers and shakers in the DFL and, of course he has discretion over the Minneapolis police department. But most important, as mayor, he should be doing everything in his power to avoid another empty foreclosed home blighting the city.
Since August 7, hundreds of people have come out to support Rosemary Williams to save her family home. Ms. Williams has lived on the block for 55 years. She has spent a year speaking out against foreclosure and evictions on every level, always noting that she has not been fighting just for herself but others in the same situation. Ms. Williams is proving to be ray of hope to other families facing foreclosure around the country.
GMAC, the main servicer of Ms. Williams's mortgage, tried to evict her bodily from her home on Aug. 7. They tried to buy her off with $5000 and an order to "leave quietly." They offered for her to be renter…in the home GMAC took from her. Ms. Williams has been declaring for year that she intends to keep the home in the family. And the community is behind her.
MN Coalition for a People's Bailout - Mick Kelly: 612-715-3280, Linden Gawboy: 612-296-5649
MN Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign - Cheri Honkala: 267-439-8419, Ann Patterson"612-940-1040
--30--
August 18, 2009
Rosemary Williams and supporters to take demands to Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak
On Wednesday, Aug. 19, 11:00 a.m, Rosemary Williams, her supporters and neighbors will gather outside Minneapolis City Hall at 350 S 5th Street (south side, across from the light rail station). From there, we will be taking our demands to Mayor R.T. Rybak's office.
We will demand that Mayor Rybak use his powers to allow Rosemary to keep her home. Mayor Rybak has connections with the powers that be in the city, statewide and nationwide - with the non-profit and business communities, with the movers and shakers in the DFL and, of course he has discretion over the Minneapolis police department. But most important, as mayor, he should be doing everything in his power to avoid another empty foreclosed home blighting the city.
Since August 7, hundreds of people have come out to support Rosemary Williams to save her family home. Ms. Williams has lived on the block for 55 years. She has spent a year speaking out against foreclosure and evictions on every level, always noting that she has not been fighting just for herself but others in the same situation. Ms. Williams is proving to be ray of hope to other families facing foreclosure around the country.
GMAC, the main servicer of Ms. Williams's mortgage, tried to evict her bodily from her home on Aug. 7. They tried to buy her off with $5000 and an order to "leave quietly." They offered for her to be renter…in the home GMAC took from her. Ms. Williams has been declaring for year that she intends to keep the home in the family. And the community is behind her.
MN Coalition for a People's Bailout - Mick Kelly: 612-715-3280, Linden Gawboy: 612-296-5649
MN Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign - Cheri Honkala: 267-439-8419, Ann Patterson"612-940-1040
--30--
Monday, August 17, 2009
Press Release: Rosemary Williams still in her home, Vows to fight to keep it
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For immediate release
August 17, 2009
Day 11: Rosemary Williams still in her home, Vows to fight to keep it
On Tuesday, Aug. 18, 12:00 noon, Rosemary Williams, her supporters and neighbors will gather at her home at 3138 Clinton Ave. S in Minneapolis. We will give an update on the latest developments in the negotiations and present plans for future actions.
As negotiations with GMAC and Ms. Williams continue, we are getting a peek into the dirty world of finance. Names mentioned so far include GMAC, MERS, the bankrupt Lehman Brothers and Aurora Loan Services. These corrupt financial institutions are all lining up to skim their dollars of a family's misery and the downfall of our communities.
Since August 7, hundreds of people have come out to support Rosemary Williams to save her family home. Ms. Williams has lived on the block for 55 years. She has spent a year speaking out against foreclosure and evictions on every level, always noting that she has not been fighting just for herself but others in the same situation. Ms. Williams is proving to be ray of hope to other families facing foreclosure around the country.
MN Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign: Cheri Honkala 267-439-8419 Ann Patterson 612-940-1040MN Coalition for a People's Bailout, Mick Kelly:612-715-3280, Linden Gawboy:612-296-5649--30-
August 17, 2009
Day 11: Rosemary Williams still in her home, Vows to fight to keep it
On Tuesday, Aug. 18, 12:00 noon, Rosemary Williams, her supporters and neighbors will gather at her home at 3138 Clinton Ave. S in Minneapolis. We will give an update on the latest developments in the negotiations and present plans for future actions.
As negotiations with GMAC and Ms. Williams continue, we are getting a peek into the dirty world of finance. Names mentioned so far include GMAC, MERS, the bankrupt Lehman Brothers and Aurora Loan Services. These corrupt financial institutions are all lining up to skim their dollars of a family's misery and the downfall of our communities.
Since August 7, hundreds of people have come out to support Rosemary Williams to save her family home. Ms. Williams has lived on the block for 55 years. She has spent a year speaking out against foreclosure and evictions on every level, always noting that she has not been fighting just for herself but others in the same situation. Ms. Williams is proving to be ray of hope to other families facing foreclosure around the country.
MN Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign: Cheri Honkala 267-439-8419 Ann Patterson 612-940-1040MN Coalition for a People's Bailout, Mick Kelly:612-715-3280, Linden Gawboy:612-296-5649--30-
Friday, August 14, 2009
PROSPECTIVE deal for Rosemary discussed at this moment on conference call
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From MN PPEHRC: At this very moment Rosemary is on the phone with GMAC and her lawyer to work out details of a possible real deal that Rosemary could accept. Again we cannot allow ourselves to let our hopes skyrocket high until papers are signed!
Inspired by Williams, second homeowner vows eviction fight
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by Elizabeth Baier, Minnesota Public Radio
August 12, 2009
Original Article: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/08/12/woman-resists-eviction/
Robbinsdale, Minn. — Rosemary Williams' public battle to stay in her foreclosed home has inspired at least one other Twin Cities woman, who now vows to resist eviction from her own home in Robbinsdale.
Linda Norenberg sat on her front steps Wednesday and said she would fight eviction like Williams, who has staged a months-long rally and gathered support from several community organizations.
"We're both 60 years old. We're both in family-owned houses," Norenberg said Wednesday. "I want to stay here. I love it here. I love the neighborhood."
The two women met over the weekend when Norenberg joined other activists outside Williams' Minneapolis home. Williams told the crowd she will remain in the house despite being ordered to leave by Hennepin County Sheriff's deputies.
On Wednesday, it was Williams who sat on Norenberg's steps, holding a sign that read "Save Mom's Home." Williams vowed to continue to encourage other foreclosed homeowners to remain in their homes.
"Why would we want to lose a person that's so rooted in the community?" Williams said. "It makes no sense. None at all."
Norenberg's house has been in her family for 65 years. She said her father built the home in 1944, and she bought in 1977 after he died.
Her problems began when she had to refinance her home twice over the years because of job loss and low wages. She said she lost her job as a school bus driver after getting a DWI in 2003.
It was my first DWI ever," she said. "I had been driving for a living for many years."
Norenberg was unable to keep up with the $1,200 monthly mortgage payments, and the house was sold at a sheriff's sale in January. Chase Home Mortgage sold the house to CitiMortgage for $91,000, Norenberg said.
Norenberg was supposed to leave July 30, but has remained in the home, despite the risk of arrest. She now who makes $9.45 an hour working as a supermarket cashier and said she wants to renegotiate with her lender.
"I'm still in the house and I'm on pins and needles," said Norenberg, adding that the sheriff has not served her with an eviction order yet. "I'm stressed. I've got stuff packed up 'cause I don't know when they're going to come out."
August 12, 2009
Original Article: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/08/12/woman-resists-eviction/
Robbinsdale, Minn. — Rosemary Williams' public battle to stay in her foreclosed home has inspired at least one other Twin Cities woman, who now vows to resist eviction from her own home in Robbinsdale.
Linda Norenberg sat on her front steps Wednesday and said she would fight eviction like Williams, who has staged a months-long rally and gathered support from several community organizations.
"We're both 60 years old. We're both in family-owned houses," Norenberg said Wednesday. "I want to stay here. I love it here. I love the neighborhood."
The two women met over the weekend when Norenberg joined other activists outside Williams' Minneapolis home. Williams told the crowd she will remain in the house despite being ordered to leave by Hennepin County Sheriff's deputies.
On Wednesday, it was Williams who sat on Norenberg's steps, holding a sign that read "Save Mom's Home." Williams vowed to continue to encourage other foreclosed homeowners to remain in their homes.
"Why would we want to lose a person that's so rooted in the community?" Williams said. "It makes no sense. None at all."
Norenberg's house has been in her family for 65 years. She said her father built the home in 1944, and she bought in 1977 after he died.
Her problems began when she had to refinance her home twice over the years because of job loss and low wages. She said she lost her job as a school bus driver after getting a DWI in 2003.
It was my first DWI ever," she said. "I had been driving for a living for many years."
Norenberg was unable to keep up with the $1,200 monthly mortgage payments, and the house was sold at a sheriff's sale in January. Chase Home Mortgage sold the house to CitiMortgage for $91,000, Norenberg said.
Norenberg was supposed to leave July 30, but has remained in the home, despite the risk of arrest. She now who makes $9.45 an hour working as a supermarket cashier and said she wants to renegotiate with her lender.
"I'm still in the house and I'm on pins and needles," said Norenberg, adding that the sheriff has not served her with an eviction order yet. "I'm stressed. I've got stuff packed up 'cause I don't know when they're going to come out."
Labels: Chase Home Mortgage, Eviction, Foreclosure, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Linda Norenberg, Rosemary Williams
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Press Conference: GMAC Returning To Table For Negotiations
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Contacts:
MN Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign
Cheri Honkala: 267-439-8419
Ann Patterson: 612-940-1040
MN Coalition for a People's Bailout
Mick Kelly:612-715-3280
Linden Gawboy:612-296-5649
For Immediate Release: August 12, 2009
Press conference at 11 am August 13th
Rosemary Williams' house
3138 Clinton Ave S
GMAC Returning To Table For Negotiations
August 12th at about 12 PM Rosemary Williams received word that GMAC intends to return to the negotiating table. While we have been disappointed by negotiations with GMAC in the pass, we remain hopeful that our struggle will result in an acceptable deal for Rosemary Williams, allowing her to stay in her home. On Friday, Aug. 7th, Rosemary Williams and her family endured a snap eviction from the house Rosemary has been fighting to save for over a year. Neighbors, supporters and community members rushed to the house at 3138 Clinton to defend the home. Dozens of supporters have slept on the floors and have held an overnight watch at the front and back doors. During the days, hundreds of people have pitched in for rallies, massive moves of Ms. Williams's belongings, and organizing meals and community gatherings. Details about their return to the table will be given at tomorrow's press conference.
The assistant police chief has been informed that a deal offered by GMAC is on the table.
Rosemary Williams is a 55-year resident of the Central Neighborhood in south Minneapolis. Rosemary has been a fighter against the foreclosure crisis for nearly a year, giving inspiration to others to fight back.
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MN Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign
Cheri Honkala: 267-439-8419
Ann Patterson: 612-940-1040
MN Coalition for a People's Bailout
Mick Kelly:612-715-3280
Linden Gawboy:612-296-5649
For Immediate Release: August 12, 2009
Press conference at 11 am August 13th
Rosemary Williams' house
3138 Clinton Ave S
GMAC Returning To Table For Negotiations
August 12th at about 12 PM Rosemary Williams received word that GMAC intends to return to the negotiating table. While we have been disappointed by negotiations with GMAC in the pass, we remain hopeful that our struggle will result in an acceptable deal for Rosemary Williams, allowing her to stay in her home. On Friday, Aug. 7th, Rosemary Williams and her family endured a snap eviction from the house Rosemary has been fighting to save for over a year. Neighbors, supporters and community members rushed to the house at 3138 Clinton to defend the home. Dozens of supporters have slept on the floors and have held an overnight watch at the front and back doors. During the days, hundreds of people have pitched in for rallies, massive moves of Ms. Williams's belongings, and organizing meals and community gatherings. Details about their return to the table will be given at tomorrow's press conference.
The assistant police chief has been informed that a deal offered by GMAC is on the table.
Rosemary Williams is a 55-year resident of the Central Neighborhood in south Minneapolis. Rosemary has been a fighter against the foreclosure crisis for nearly a year, giving inspiration to others to fight back.
###
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Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Stand-off continues at the home of Rosemary Williams
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A fifth day has passed without arrests of supporters who are occupying the home of Rosemary Williams.
A very moving candlelight vigil was held on her front lawn Monday evening with participation by people of many faiths.
The next day Tuesday, August 11, 2009, plans were scrapped to hold a demonstration at the mayor's office due to the following letter received by Rosemary Williams' lawyer, sent from the law firm of Faagre & Benson LLP that represents GMAC:
"GMAC offered $5000 to Ms. Williams to assist in her relocation costs and to allow her to move out of the home peacefully and avoid further complications.
Please discuss this with your colleague Emily Chow (766-8012) before noon. If we do not hear from you by that time, GMAC will proceed with contacting the Mpls. Police to secure the property.
As officers of the Court, we have an obligation to abide by the law and the Court's ruling in this case. We presented and argued our cases before the Court and the court has ruled. You have elected not to appeal that ruling, so the Order is final. I hope that you consider your obligation seriously as you advise your client about her options. GMAC has done everything possible to help Ms. Williams, except giving her the property for free. It has negotiated with potential buyers, extended the deadline for eviction and significantly discounted the sale price of the home. There is nothing left to do.
Even all the protesters and so-called supporters who are claiming to help her can't come up with the money to buy the property at the reduced rate. This is an opportunity for your client to vacate the property peacefully so she can move on with her life and GMAC can start the process of preparing the home for resale. I sincerely hope you and your client will choose the peaceful option."
So how did Rosemary respond to GMAC's offer? "NO WAY!" --which immediately spurred us on to step up our demand for an END TO EVICTIONS AND A MORATORIUM ON FORECLOSURES!
A very moving candlelight vigil was held on her front lawn Monday evening with participation by people of many faiths.
The next day Tuesday, August 11, 2009, plans were scrapped to hold a demonstration at the mayor's office due to the following letter received by Rosemary Williams' lawyer, sent from the law firm of Faagre & Benson LLP that represents GMAC:
"GMAC offered $5000 to Ms. Williams to assist in her relocation costs and to allow her to move out of the home peacefully and avoid further complications.
Please discuss this with your colleague Emily Chow (766-8012) before noon. If we do not hear from you by that time, GMAC will proceed with contacting the Mpls. Police to secure the property.
As officers of the Court, we have an obligation to abide by the law and the Court's ruling in this case. We presented and argued our cases before the Court and the court has ruled. You have elected not to appeal that ruling, so the Order is final. I hope that you consider your obligation seriously as you advise your client about her options. GMAC has done everything possible to help Ms. Williams, except giving her the property for free. It has negotiated with potential buyers, extended the deadline for eviction and significantly discounted the sale price of the home. There is nothing left to do.
Even all the protesters and so-called supporters who are claiming to help her can't come up with the money to buy the property at the reduced rate. This is an opportunity for your client to vacate the property peacefully so she can move on with her life and GMAC can start the process of preparing the home for resale. I sincerely hope you and your client will choose the peaceful option."
So how did Rosemary respond to GMAC's offer? "NO WAY!" --which immediately spurred us on to step up our demand for an END TO EVICTIONS AND A MORATORIUM ON FORECLOSURES!
Labels: Cheri Honkala, Economic Justice, Eviction, Foreclosure, GMAC, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, MN Coalition for a Peoples Bailout states, MN PPEHRC, PPEHRC, Rosemary Williams
Senator Franken: "We are praying for Rosemary Williams," says CHAM.
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Dear Senator Franken,
Last night, Monday, Aug. 10, at 8pm we at CHAM Deliverance Ministry In San Jose, California prayed for the family of Rosemary Williams. We prayed In solidarity with the vigil held at her home at 3138 Clinton Street In Minneapolis. We stand In solidarity with Rosemary Williams's struggle to keep her home and against foreclosures and evictions around the country.
We are united In opposition to foreclosures and evictions that have been ravaging our communities and destroying families. We call on GMAC to come to the table and use the millions of dollars provided by the government to help families renegotiate their loans. We call on all the banks to come to the table to save Rosemary's home and end foreclosures and evictions around the country.
Sincerely,
Sandy Perry
Outreach Minister
CHAM Deliverance Ministry
80 S. Fifth St.
San Jose, CA 95112
408-691-6153
Last night, Monday, Aug. 10, at 8pm we at CHAM Deliverance Ministry In San Jose, California prayed for the family of Rosemary Williams. We prayed In solidarity with the vigil held at her home at 3138 Clinton Street In Minneapolis. We stand In solidarity with Rosemary Williams's struggle to keep her home and against foreclosures and evictions around the country.
We are united In opposition to foreclosures and evictions that have been ravaging our communities and destroying families. We call on GMAC to come to the table and use the millions of dollars provided by the government to help families renegotiate their loans. We call on all the banks to come to the table to save Rosemary's home and end foreclosures and evictions around the country.
Sincerely,
Sandy Perry
Outreach Minister
CHAM Deliverance Ministry
80 S. Fifth St.
San Jose, CA 95112
408-691-6153
Labels: Cheri Honkala, Economic Justice, Eviction, Foreclosure, GMAC, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, MN Coalition for a Peoples Bailout states, MN PPEHRC, PPEHRC, Rosemary Williams
Defying Foreclosure, Owner And Protesters Wait Reporting
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Defying Foreclosure, Owner And Protesters Wait Reporting
by Bill Hudson
Original Article: http://wcco.com/neweconomy/defying.foreclosure.protesters.2.1124336.html
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ― Sixty-year-old Rosemary Williams lived in the home at 3138 Clinton Avenue South in Minneapolis for the past 23 years. It's the only neighborhood she's ever known, having lived on the same block for the past 55 years.
A simple blue sided, two-story home on the Minneapolis' south side has become emblematic of the nation's foreclosure crisis.
"People are willing to go to jail to get justice for Rosemary Williams," said Mick Kelly.
He's one of several dozen activists camped at the house in defiance of a sheriff's eviction order.
Sixty-year-old Rosemary Williams lived in the home at 3138 Clinton Avenue South in Minneapolis for the past 23 years. It's the only neighborhood she's ever known, having lived on the same block for the past 55 years.
Her troubles began last December when Williams lost her job and then received the terrifying news from her mortgage company. The interest rate on her GMAC adjustable rate mortgage shot up to 10 percent. You can imagine what that did to her monthly payment.
"It jumped from $1200 to $2200 in one year," said Williams.
Unemployed and looking for work, Williams was unable to make her payments and fell further and further behind. This summer, GMAC initiated foreclosure and in early July the company executed a formal eviction.
"You've got millions of people already been foreclosed on, millions more are coming. The economy cannot turn around and stop until we have a moratorium on foreclosures," Williams pointed out.
Ever since the eviction order was served by the Hennepin County Sheriff, a growing number of activists have been gathering in front of William's home. They've posted dozens of signs and banners, pointing to what they claim is an injustice being orchestrated by lenders.
Meantime, some of Williams' valuables are being moved out. At the same time, sympathetic protesters have moved in. They vow to resist any request to leave the property, assuring a mass arrest for trespassing.
Beyond the fight over bank foreclosures, activists are also critical of the government's attempt at a loan modification system. It's a system they say is also failing distressed homeowners despite the billions of dollars being pumped into the banking system.
Cheri Hankala has worked with troubled homeowners through the Minnesota Poor People's Economic Human Rights Coalition
She said the loan modification system didn't help Williams and is failing others in the same dire situation.
"We can't find one person out there that has benefited or been a part of any loan modification program in order to save their home," said Hankala.
Attempts to reach GMAC Home Mortgage to discuss this particular case were not successful. They did not return WCCO's phone calls.
So, with posters and prayer, the sit-in continues. A waiting game that will eventually conclude with a forced eviction and one woman's painful foreclosure on the front page.
by Bill Hudson
Original Article: http://wcco.com/neweconomy/defying.foreclosure.protesters.2.1124336.html
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ― Sixty-year-old Rosemary Williams lived in the home at 3138 Clinton Avenue South in Minneapolis for the past 23 years. It's the only neighborhood she's ever known, having lived on the same block for the past 55 years.
A simple blue sided, two-story home on the Minneapolis' south side has become emblematic of the nation's foreclosure crisis.
"People are willing to go to jail to get justice for Rosemary Williams," said Mick Kelly.
He's one of several dozen activists camped at the house in defiance of a sheriff's eviction order.
Sixty-year-old Rosemary Williams lived in the home at 3138 Clinton Avenue South in Minneapolis for the past 23 years. It's the only neighborhood she's ever known, having lived on the same block for the past 55 years.
Her troubles began last December when Williams lost her job and then received the terrifying news from her mortgage company. The interest rate on her GMAC adjustable rate mortgage shot up to 10 percent. You can imagine what that did to her monthly payment.
"It jumped from $1200 to $2200 in one year," said Williams.
Unemployed and looking for work, Williams was unable to make her payments and fell further and further behind. This summer, GMAC initiated foreclosure and in early July the company executed a formal eviction.
"You've got millions of people already been foreclosed on, millions more are coming. The economy cannot turn around and stop until we have a moratorium on foreclosures," Williams pointed out.
Ever since the eviction order was served by the Hennepin County Sheriff, a growing number of activists have been gathering in front of William's home. They've posted dozens of signs and banners, pointing to what they claim is an injustice being orchestrated by lenders.
Meantime, some of Williams' valuables are being moved out. At the same time, sympathetic protesters have moved in. They vow to resist any request to leave the property, assuring a mass arrest for trespassing.
Beyond the fight over bank foreclosures, activists are also critical of the government's attempt at a loan modification system. It's a system they say is also failing distressed homeowners despite the billions of dollars being pumped into the banking system.
Cheri Hankala has worked with troubled homeowners through the Minnesota Poor People's Economic Human Rights Coalition
She said the loan modification system didn't help Williams and is failing others in the same dire situation.
"We can't find one person out there that has benefited or been a part of any loan modification program in order to save their home," said Hankala.
Attempts to reach GMAC Home Mortgage to discuss this particular case were not successful. They did not return WCCO's phone calls.
So, with posters and prayer, the sit-in continues. A waiting game that will eventually conclude with a forced eviction and one woman's painful foreclosure on the front page.
Labels: Cheri Honkala, Economic Justice, Eviction, Foreclosure, GMAC, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, MN Coalition for a Peoples Bailout states, MN PPEHRC, PPEHRC, Rosemary Williams
Update on the Standoff: GMAC says "Arrests Today"
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For release: August 11, 2009
GMAC says "Arrests Today"
Today's Meeting with Mayor Cancelled
This morning GMAC contacted Rosemary Williams's attorney. GMAC offered her $5000 to be quiet, stop activity to save her house, and go away. Ms. Williams said no. She would not take their "30 pieces of silver" when justice was on the line.
Today, we had plans to go to Mayor Rybak's office to tell him to order the city attorney to call off the cops. We would hope that our elected officials would act to save the people. It is clear that banks and corporations take precedence over people's lives.
We will be at the Williams home all day. (3138 Clinton Ave S, Minneapolis) GMAC says it is sending out the police to arrest.
This fight will continue for families in foreclosure. Rosemary Williams stated: "I'm more committed now than ever to help families in America to save thier homes. GMAC made me more committed than ever."
Contacts:
MN Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign:Cheri Honkala 267-439-8419 Ann Patterson 612-940-1040
MN Coalition for a People's Bailout, Mick Kelly:612-715-3280, Linden Gawboy:612-296-5649
Labels: Cheri Honkala, Economic Justice, Eviction, Foreclosure, GMAC, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, MN Coalition for a Peoples Bailout states, MN PPEHRC, PPEHRC, Rosemary Williams
Indymedia Coverage of the Standoff at Rosemary Williams' House
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Rosemary Williams
Occupation at Williams' House Goes Into Second Night
Submitted by haloka on Sat, 08/08/2009 - 20:10
in
* Local
* foreclosures
* Housing
* Minneapolis
* Organizing
* people's bailout
* PPEHRC
* Rosemary Williams
* Feature
TAKE ACTION: Tuesday morning at 9:30am meet at Rosemary's house--3138 Clinton-- then go together to the mayor's office at 10am to demand a just resolution to Rosemary's situation.
Related: MPR Update says police waiting for opinion of city attorney | Fighting foreclosures in North MPLS from TCDP
Monday evening: Ninety to a hundred people attended a candlelight vigil at Rosemary Williams's house. Religious folks and other community activists spoke. "God opened the door," said one speaker, describing the occupation.
Monday: 4th day of occupation; approx. 15 people stayed at the house last night; many more there this morning. | Article & Video from Fight Back News
Sunday Update: Press conference at Rosemary's house, 8am Monday.
The occupation at Rosemary Williams' home at 3138 Clinton in Minneapolis enters its second night tonight. On Friday night, about 20 people, including Rosemary Williams herself, spent the night at the home after a no trespassing order was given earlier in the day. At a 4pm press conference this rainy and humid Saturday, the usual crowd of activists from MN PPEHRC and the Coalition for a People's Bailout (twitter feed), bolstered by growing support and donations of food and supplies from neighbors, rallied to the defense of Williams' home. Some pushed for GMAC to finally negotiate; others concluded that the only option left is to defend the house with their bodies.
The question now is what the Minneapolis Police will do next. A police spokesman has said they'll respond if a trespassing complaint is received - but what that means is anyone's guess. For now, says Rosemary, "We can't give up, that's the bottom line. We have to band together to make this happen." People will continue to occupy the house around the clock.
Occupation at Williams' House Goes Into Second Night
Submitted by haloka on Sat, 08/08/2009 - 20:10
in
* Local
* foreclosures
* Housing
* Minneapolis
* Organizing
* people's bailout
* PPEHRC
* Rosemary Williams
* Feature
TAKE ACTION: Tuesday morning at 9:30am meet at Rosemary's house--3138 Clinton-- then go together to the mayor's office at 10am to demand a just resolution to Rosemary's situation.
Related: MPR Update says police waiting for opinion of city attorney | Fighting foreclosures in North MPLS from TCDP
Monday evening: Ninety to a hundred people attended a candlelight vigil at Rosemary Williams's house. Religious folks and other community activists spoke. "God opened the door," said one speaker, describing the occupation.
Monday: 4th day of occupation; approx. 15 people stayed at the house last night; many more there this morning. | Article & Video from Fight Back News
Sunday Update: Press conference at Rosemary's house, 8am Monday.
The occupation at Rosemary Williams' home at 3138 Clinton in Minneapolis enters its second night tonight. On Friday night, about 20 people, including Rosemary Williams herself, spent the night at the home after a no trespassing order was given earlier in the day. At a 4pm press conference this rainy and humid Saturday, the usual crowd of activists from MN PPEHRC and the Coalition for a People's Bailout (twitter feed), bolstered by growing support and donations of food and supplies from neighbors, rallied to the defense of Williams' home. Some pushed for GMAC to finally negotiate; others concluded that the only option left is to defend the house with their bodies.
The question now is what the Minneapolis Police will do next. A police spokesman has said they'll respond if a trespassing complaint is received - but what that means is anyone's guess. For now, says Rosemary, "We can't give up, that's the bottom line. We have to band together to make this happen." People will continue to occupy the house around the clock.
Labels: Cheri Honkala, Economic Justice, Eviction, Foreclosure, GMAC, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, MN Coalition for a Peoples Bailout states, MN PPEHRC, PPEHRC, Rosemary Williams
FOX 9: Protesting Eviction at 32nd and Clinton 4th day of Rosemary Williams eviction protest
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Monday, 10 Aug 2009, 8:33 AM CDT
Original Article: http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/Rosemary_Williams_Eviction_Protest_Aug_10_2009
MINNEAPOLIS - The fight to keep Rosemary Williams in her foreclosed home on Clinton Avenue in south Minneapolis continued Monday morning. Even after her eviction on Friday.
Since Hennepin County sheriff's deputies evicted Williams from her house at 32nd and Clinton four days ago, friends and supporters have been rotating shifts and protesting on the property, with a very large protest planned for Monday.
Rosemary Williams has lived in her home at 3138 Clinton Ave. S. for 26 years, and has become the poster child for the foreclosure crisis in Minneapolis.
Deal to save her home recently fell through and on Friday she was evicted and the locks were changed. But soon, friends and supporters with the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign were able to get inside the house and remove all her belongings.
In three years, Rosemary Williams had lost her job and her mortgage went from $900 to $2,600 per month. But in July, a judge ruled against her defense that she was a victim fo predatory lending and ruled she needed $49,000 to appeal the case.
Protesters are still fighting for Williams. A Press conference started at 8 a.m. Monday and the group has said it plans to stay at 32nd and Clinton until they are forcibly removed by police
Original Article: http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/Rosemary_Williams_Eviction_Protest_Aug_10_2009
MINNEAPOLIS - The fight to keep Rosemary Williams in her foreclosed home on Clinton Avenue in south Minneapolis continued Monday morning. Even after her eviction on Friday.
Since Hennepin County sheriff's deputies evicted Williams from her house at 32nd and Clinton four days ago, friends and supporters have been rotating shifts and protesting on the property, with a very large protest planned for Monday.
Rosemary Williams has lived in her home at 3138 Clinton Ave. S. for 26 years, and has become the poster child for the foreclosure crisis in Minneapolis.
Deal to save her home recently fell through and on Friday she was evicted and the locks were changed. But soon, friends and supporters with the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign were able to get inside the house and remove all her belongings.
In three years, Rosemary Williams had lost her job and her mortgage went from $900 to $2,600 per month. But in July, a judge ruled against her defense that she was a victim fo predatory lending and ruled she needed $49,000 to appeal the case.
Protesters are still fighting for Williams. A Press conference started at 8 a.m. Monday and the group has said it plans to stay at 32nd and Clinton until they are forcibly removed by police
Labels: Cheri Honkala, Economic Justice, Eviction, Foreclosure, GMAC, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, MN Coalition for a Peoples Bailout states, MN PPEHRC, PPEHRC, Rosemary Williams
WCCO Coverage: Protesters Fighting Home Foreclosure
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Aug 10, 2009 12:06 pm US/Central
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ― Dozens of protesters are waging a sit-in at a foreclosed home in south Minneapolis. in south Minneapolis.
On Friday, officers evicted Rosemary Williams from her home on the 3100 block of Clinton Avenue South, after she missed some mortgage payments to GMAC. Williams is a long-time resident of the area.
Williams said she's a victim of predatory lending. Last month, a judge who heard her case ruled against her and said she would have to either come up with the money she owes, or leave.
Williams and her supporters want GMAC to restart the negotiations to modify her mortgage.
Since the foreclosure Friday, protesters have taken over the home, coming and going in shifts. On Monday, some said they're willing to stay as long as needed: weeks, months, even a year.
Labels: Cheri Honkala, Economic Justice, Eviction, Foreclosure, GMAC, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, MN Coalition for a Peoples Bailout states, MN PPEHRC, PPEHRC, Protest, Rosemary Williams
Photos from the night before the standoff at Rosemary's
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 |
| Standoff at Rosemary's House |
Labels: Ann Patterson, Cheri Honkala, Economic Justice, Eviction, Foreclosure, GMAC, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, MN Coalition for a Peoples Bailout states, MN PPEHRC, PPEHRC, Rosemary Williams
Press Release: Neighbors & Supporters of Rosemary Williams Demand Meeting with Mayor
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For release: August 10, 2009
NEIGHBORS AND SUPPORTERS OF ROSEMARY WILLIAMS DEMAND MEETING WITH MAYOR
On Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 10:00 a.m., neighbors, friends, supporters of Rosemary Williams along with the faith community will go to Mayor Rybak's office. We will demand to meet with Mayor Rybak and insist that he stop police from evicting Rosemary from her home, and that the mayor take action to keep Rosemary in her home.
On Friday, Aug. 7th, Rosemary Williams and her family endured a snap eviction from the house Rosemary has been fighting to save for over a year. Neighbors, supporters and community members rushed to the house at 3138 Clinton to defend the home. Dozens of supporters have slept on the floors and have held an overnight watch at the front and back doors. During the days, hundreds of people have pitched in for rallies, massive moves of Ms. Williams's belongings, and organizing meals and community gatherings.
Mayor Rybak needs to see that forcing Ms. Williams and her supporters from the home is the wrong thing to do. It is time for Mayor Rybak to address the foreclosure crisis in our city and to keep Rosemary Williams in her home.
Rosemary Williams, her neighbors, friends, and supporters will continue this struggle as long as it take to get justice.
MN Coalition for a People's Bailout, Mick Kelly 612-715-3280, Linden Gawboy 612-296-5649
MN Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign: Cheri Honkala 267-439-8419, Ann Patterson 612-940-1040
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NEIGHBORS AND SUPPORTERS OF ROSEMARY WILLIAMS DEMAND MEETING WITH MAYOR
On Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 10:00 a.m., neighbors, friends, supporters of Rosemary Williams along with the faith community will go to Mayor Rybak's office. We will demand to meet with Mayor Rybak and insist that he stop police from evicting Rosemary from her home, and that the mayor take action to keep Rosemary in her home.
On Friday, Aug. 7th, Rosemary Williams and her family endured a snap eviction from the house Rosemary has been fighting to save for over a year. Neighbors, supporters and community members rushed to the house at 3138 Clinton to defend the home. Dozens of supporters have slept on the floors and have held an overnight watch at the front and back doors. During the days, hundreds of people have pitched in for rallies, massive moves of Ms. Williams's belongings, and organizing meals and community gatherings.
Mayor Rybak needs to see that forcing Ms. Williams and her supporters from the home is the wrong thing to do. It is time for Mayor Rybak to address the foreclosure crisis in our city and to keep Rosemary Williams in her home.
Rosemary Williams, her neighbors, friends, and supporters will continue this struggle as long as it take to get justice.
MN Coalition for a People's Bailout, Mick Kelly 612-715-3280, Linden Gawboy 612-296-5649
MN Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign: Cheri Honkala 267-439-8419, Ann Patterson 612-940-1040
--30--
Labels: Cheri Honkala, Economic Justice, Eviction, Foreclosure, GMAC, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, MN Coalition for a Peoples Bailout states, MN PPEHRC, PPEHRC, Rosemary Williams
Monday, August 10, 2009
Press Release: "Marching to Fulfill the Dream: Campaign Will Mobilize Thousands to Claim Economic Rights"
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POOR PEOPLE'S ECONOMIC HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN
For immediate release
Contact: Cheri Honkala, 267 439-8419
Marching to Fulfill the Dream: Campaign Will Mobilize Thousands to Claim Economic Rights
"Martin Luther King dreamed not only of racial justice, but of organizing across racial lines to secure economic justice for all. In 1998 the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC) picked up the mantle of MLK and vowed to work until the dream was fulfilled. If you think we're there, you can ignore this. But if you're hurting, or your mother or your brother or your neighbor or friend is hurting, put on your walking shoes," said Cheri Honkala, National Organizer of the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC).
At its national conference in July, nearly 400 representatives of PPEHRC member organizations voted to organize the next phase of the campaign—a march from the Katrina-torn Gulf through the Mississippi Delta and on through the Rust Belt.
The march will culminate in Detroit at the 2010 US Social Forum, which expects upwards of 20,000 participants from around the country and the globe.
As was the case in the 1968 Poor People's Campaign, other marchers will follow Freedom Roads from other parts of the country to join the main branch, which will visibly unite south and north in their common cause.
In 2003, PPEHRC recreated the 1968 Poor People's March, caravanning from Marks, Mississippi to Washington, DC. Commemorating the 35th anniversary of the campaign planned by King before his assassination, organizers of that march pointed to the shameful lack of achievement of the original economic justice goals of jobs, housing, and health care. Since then things have gotten worse—much worse.
"In 1968 the white middle class liberals who had supported civil rights largely abandoned the struggle for economic rights," said a PPEHRC organizer, "but today whites and people of all colors increasingly understand out of their own experience that poverty is not the result of moral failure and laziness. They have worked hard, educated themselves and their children, served their communities and their country, and yet they are losing their homes and their health care. Robots are doing their jobs, and if they can find a job they work harder and longer for less."
Another PPEHRC leader elaborated on today's growing understanding of poverty. "People who have followed all the rules of 'middle class America' are having to choose among their basic human rights: Shelter or medicine? Food or clothing? Education or basic necessities? Water or pre-natal care? That's the nature of poverty. It's structural. Millions who thought of themselves as middle class are awakening to that fact—that securing economic human rights for all is not a safety net for the fallen, but a foundation on which the people of this country can rebuild this country. We are calling them to this march and to the US Social Forum to create a people's solution to the economic crisis."
Marian Kramer, Co-Chair of the National Welfare Rights Union, announces PPEHRC plan to continue pursuing MLK’s dream in 2010 national march for economic justice.”The plan to undertake the march was announced by Marian Kramer, Co-Chair of the National Welfare Rights Union, at the July PPEHRC event, "Building the Unsettling Force:A National Conference to End Poverty," held in Louisville, KYIt was endorsed enthusiastically by the participants, most of whom represented over 60 of the 131 member organizations of the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC). The theme of the conference was based on Martin Luther King's call to organize the "dispossessed of the nation" into an unsettling force to demand economic human rights. The conference was co-sponsored by the Social Welfare Action Alliance, and hosted by Women in Transition, both PPEHRC member organizations.
Labels: Detroit, Economic Justice, Marching to Fulfull the Dream, Martin Luther King, Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, PPEHRC, SWAA, USSF 2010, WIT
Write, email and call Rosemary Williams' elected officials TODAY to prevent her eviction!
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Here's the suggested text to send to the elected officials (below):
"I am very alarmed about the epidemic of imminent and unjust foreclosures in the Green Central neighborhood of south Minneapolis, involving several long-time residents. Rosemary Williams' loss of her home and her neighbors' resistance to it are about to get nationwide attention, as scores of their supporters block the sheriff's effort to remove her.
This is a human rights emergency for this homeowner, her neighbors, and tens of thousands of Americans who are threatened with foreclosure. Join us today by personally intervening and speaking out to keep Rosemary Williams in her home and stop this now."
This is a human rights emergency for this homeowner, her neighbors, and tens of thousands of Americans who are threatened with foreclosure. Join us today by personally intervening and speaking out to keep Rosemary Williams in her home and stop this now."
Direct your communications to the following elected officials:
Elizabeth Glidden
350 S 5th Street
City Hall, Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Phone: (612) 673-2208
Fax: (612) 673-3940
Email: Elizabeth.Glidden@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
350 S 5th Street
City Hall, Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Phone: (612) 673-2208
Fax: (612) 673-3940
Email: Elizabeth.Glidden@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Mayor R.T. Rybak
City Hall, Room 331
350 South Fifth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Phone: (612) 673-2100
Fax: (612) 673-2305
Email contact form: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/forms/mayor-opinion/
Congressman Keith Ellison (he should be in district on House recess)
Minneapolis Office
2100 Plymouth Avenue N
Minneapolis, MN 55411
Phone: (612) 522-1212 Fax: 612-522-9915
Email contact: https://forms.house.gov/ellison/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm
Senator Al Franken (in DC until Aug. 8 recess)
320 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC 20510
DC Phone: 202-224-5641
MN Phone: 651-221-1016
E-mail: info@franken.senate.gov
Labels: Cheri Honkala, Economic Justice, Eviction, Foreclosure, GMAC, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, MN Coalition for a Peoples Bailout states, MN PPEHRC, PPEHRC, Rosemary Williams
Sheriff's Attempt to Evict Rosemary - HOME RECLAIMED
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CALL FOR SUPPORT - Resistance Continues - 24 hour Presence of Supporters Needed
Yesterday around 2pm the Hennepin County Sheriff's Department officially evicted Rosemary Williams, removing all occupants and locking many of Rosemary's possessions into her home. Thankfully, last night Rosemary was able to sleep peacefully in her home. The community mobilized quickly, first re-opening the home then rallying outside and carrying out possessions to temporary storage in volunteers' vans. Throughout the afternoon and evening over 100 members of the community came to rally and show support.
Here's a link to some of the news coverage:
http://www.startribune.com/local/52713662.html?elr=KArks:DCiUnP::DE8c7PiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr
Members of MN PPEHRC, the Coalition for a People's Bailout, and community members will continue to fight and occupy the property until Rosemary's home is secure. The more people who are present at the home at any given time, the less the chances are of forced removal at the hands of the police department. We are maintaining a constant presence at the home, 24 hours a day.
Come by and show your support whenever you can. Stay for as long as you can and spread the word. We plan on keeping this home as long as possible to pressure the city and the banks to accept a deal that will allow Rosemary to keep her home.
Come anytime to 3138 Clinton Ave S. Bring friends, family, musical instruments and entertainment.
AND...HERE'S ANOTHER UPDATE RE. BARBARA BYRD'S STAND
Barbara Byrd, African American working woman fighting to stay in her duplex in Brooklyn Park, will NOT appear in court on August 10th as scheduled. Her date in district court to present her case against EMC has been rescheduled for Wednesday, September 16th at 1pm. Room number to be verified.
No Evictions, No Foreclosures! Housing is a Human Right!
Yesterday around 2pm the Hennepin County Sheriff's Department officially evicted Rosemary Williams, removing all occupants and locking many of Rosemary's possessions into her home. Thankfully, last night Rosemary was able to sleep peacefully in her home. The community mobilized quickly, first re-opening the home then rallying outside and carrying out possessions to temporary storage in volunteers' vans. Throughout the afternoon and evening over 100 members of the community came to rally and show support.
Here's a link to some of the news coverage:
http://www.startribune.com/local/52713662.html?elr=KArks:DCiUnP::DE8c7PiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr
Members of MN PPEHRC, the Coalition for a People's Bailout, and community members will continue to fight and occupy the property until Rosemary's home is secure. The more people who are present at the home at any given time, the less the chances are of forced removal at the hands of the police department. We are maintaining a constant presence at the home, 24 hours a day.
Come by and show your support whenever you can. Stay for as long as you can and spread the word. We plan on keeping this home as long as possible to pressure the city and the banks to accept a deal that will allow Rosemary to keep her home.
Come anytime to 3138 Clinton Ave S. Bring friends, family, musical instruments and entertainment.
AND...HERE'S ANOTHER UPDATE RE. BARBARA BYRD'S STAND
Barbara Byrd, African American working woman fighting to stay in her duplex in Brooklyn Park, will NOT appear in court on August 10th as scheduled. Her date in district court to present her case against EMC has been rescheduled for Wednesday, September 16th at 1pm. Room number to be verified.
No Evictions, No Foreclosures! Housing is a Human Right!
Labels: Cheri Honkala, Economic Justice, Eviction, Foreclosure, GMAC, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, MN Coalition for a Peoples Bailout states, MN PPEHRC, PPEHRC, Rosemary Williams
Media conference: Fight to save Rosemary's house continues!
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For release: August 9, 2009
Fight to save Rosemary's house continues!
As weekend ends, danger of police raid looms Monday morning.
Media conference
Monday, August 10, 8:00 a.m.
3138 Clinton Ave S, Minneapolis
On Friday, Aug. 7th, Rosemary Williams and her family endured a snap eviction from the home Rosemary has been fighting to save for over a year. Ms. Williams was given less than 90 minutes to decide which of her 60+ years of history to empty into her vehicle. That is how long it took the sheriff's people to change the locks.
Immediately, neighbors, supporters and community members rushed to the house at 3138 Clinton. Almost as immediately, plans were made to make sure Ms. Williams was able to retreive her belongings and reclaim access to her home. Part of those plans included supporters taking a stand inside and outside the house, determined to defend the home.
For two nights, up to 20 supporters have slept on the floors and have held an overnight watch at the front and back doors. During the days, upwards of 75 people at a time have pitched in for rallies, massisve moves of Ms. Williams belongings, and organizing simple family barbeques and birthday parties.
But tomorrow, we will be prepared for the situation to escalate. A nationwide call has been put out for members of the public to call GMAC, insisting that they start negotgiating in good faith with Ms. Williams so she and her family can keep her home. GMAC's stalling and outright fabrications have stymied efforts for Ms. Williams to explore all the avenues available to her. We have been exposing the rotteness of GMAC's tactics to the public, and people around the country are taking inpiration from Rosemary Williams's fight.
Monday, GMAC has to make a choice. Agree to negotiate in good faith, or continue to be exposed for its role in destroying homes, neighborhoods, and our communities...all the while grubbing at the trough of billions in federal bailout money.
Contacts: MN Coalition for a People's Bailout, Mick Kelly:612-715-3280, Linden Gawboy:612-296-5649
MN Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign:Cheri Honkala 267-439-8419 Ann Patterson 612-940-1040
Fight to save Rosemary's house continues!
As weekend ends, danger of police raid looms Monday morning.
Media conference
Monday, August 10, 8:00 a.m.
3138 Clinton Ave S, Minneapolis
On Friday, Aug. 7th, Rosemary Williams and her family endured a snap eviction from the home Rosemary has been fighting to save for over a year. Ms. Williams was given less than 90 minutes to decide which of her 60+ years of history to empty into her vehicle. That is how long it took the sheriff's people to change the locks.
Immediately, neighbors, supporters and community members rushed to the house at 3138 Clinton. Almost as immediately, plans were made to make sure Ms. Williams was able to retreive her belongings and reclaim access to her home. Part of those plans included supporters taking a stand inside and outside the house, determined to defend the home.
For two nights, up to 20 supporters have slept on the floors and have held an overnight watch at the front and back doors. During the days, upwards of 75 people at a time have pitched in for rallies, massisve moves of Ms. Williams belongings, and organizing simple family barbeques and birthday parties.
But tomorrow, we will be prepared for the situation to escalate. A nationwide call has been put out for members of the public to call GMAC, insisting that they start negotgiating in good faith with Ms. Williams so she and her family can keep her home. GMAC's stalling and outright fabrications have stymied efforts for Ms. Williams to explore all the avenues available to her. We have been exposing the rotteness of GMAC's tactics to the public, and people around the country are taking inpiration from Rosemary Williams's fight.
Monday, GMAC has to make a choice. Agree to negotiate in good faith, or continue to be exposed for its role in destroying homes, neighborhoods, and our communities...all the while grubbing at the trough of billions in federal bailout money.
Contacts: MN Coalition for a People's Bailout, Mick Kelly:612-715-3280, Linden Gawboy:612-296-5649
MN Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign:Cheri Honkala 267-439-8419 Ann Patterson 612-940-1040
Labels: Cheri Honkala, Economic Justice, Eviction, Foreclosure, GMAC, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, MN Coalition for a Peoples Bailout states, MN PPEHRC, PPEHRC, Rosemary Williams
Monday, August 3, 2009
Press Conference: Deal to save Rosemary Williams’s home falls through.
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Press Conference: Deal to save Rosemary Williams’s home falls through.
Deal to save Rosemary Williams's home falls through.
Coming together AGAIN to stop Rosemary's eviction:
News conference: Monday, August 3, 11:00 a.m.
3138 Clinton Ave S, Minneapolis
On Friday, July 31, at about 3:00 p.m., Rosemary Williams got word that the deal with Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation (GMHC) to buy her home fell through. This, after the drama of July 24, when shortly after a 24-hour eviction notice was served, she got word that GMHC was to purchase her home and arrange to lease it back to her. A week of relief and celebration and hope was capped off by Friday's devastating news.
Rosemary is not giving up on trying to save her home, and the community is not giving up either. We are mobilizing community members, organizations and all those who want to fight the housing crisis to stand guard at Rosemary's house and do whatever we can to stop the eviction.
At Monday's news conference, we will give an update on our plans to save Rosemary's home, as well as any additional information about the current situation.
Rosemary Williams is a 55-year resident of the Central Neighborhood in south Minneapolis. She has been fighting to save her home for almost a year now. After months of non-communication from the mortgage holders, an eviction was ordered this spring. Ms. Williams, along with dozens of community supporters, tried to use the courts to stop the eviction, only to find out that pursuing "justice" would cost us $49,000. Meanwhile Rosemary has also been desperately trying to get financing to save her home, a process that takes time, especially in this economic and bank climate. Through it all, Ms. Williams makes it clear that she is standing up to inspire everyone to fight against these unjust foreclosures and evictions.
MN Coalition for a People's Bailout, mn-peoples-bailout.org, 612-296-5649, Linden Gawboy
MN Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, 651-497-4644, Lynette Malles
Deal to save Rosemary Williams's home falls through.
Coming together AGAIN to stop Rosemary's eviction:
News conference: Monday, August 3, 11:00 a.m.
3138 Clinton Ave S, Minneapolis
On Friday, July 31, at about 3:00 p.m., Rosemary Williams got word that the deal with Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation (GMHC) to buy her home fell through. This, after the drama of July 24, when shortly after a 24-hour eviction notice was served, she got word that GMHC was to purchase her home and arrange to lease it back to her. A week of relief and celebration and hope was capped off by Friday's devastating news.
Rosemary is not giving up on trying to save her home, and the community is not giving up either. We are mobilizing community members, organizations and all those who want to fight the housing crisis to stand guard at Rosemary's house and do whatever we can to stop the eviction.
At Monday's news conference, we will give an update on our plans to save Rosemary's home, as well as any additional information about the current situation.
Rosemary Williams is a 55-year resident of the Central Neighborhood in south Minneapolis. She has been fighting to save her home for almost a year now. After months of non-communication from the mortgage holders, an eviction was ordered this spring. Ms. Williams, along with dozens of community supporters, tried to use the courts to stop the eviction, only to find out that pursuing "justice" would cost us $49,000. Meanwhile Rosemary has also been desperately trying to get financing to save her home, a process that takes time, especially in this economic and bank climate. Through it all, Ms. Williams makes it clear that she is standing up to inspire everyone to fight against these unjust foreclosures and evictions.
MN Coalition for a People's Bailout, mn-peoples-bailout.org, 612-296-5649, Linden Gawboy
MN Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, 651-497-4644, Lynette Malles
Labels: Cheri Honkala, Economic Justice, Eviction, Foreclosure, GMAC, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, MN Coalition for a Peoples Bailout states, MN PPEHRC, PPEHRC, Rosemary Williams
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