Michigan foeclosures
Moratorium struggle builds, activists plan to stop eviction
By
Kris Hamel
Detroit
Published Jul 24, 2008 11:55 PM
Organizers with the Moratorium NOW! Coalition to Stop Foreclosures and
Evictions have been on the go in Michigan. Activists have been fanning out and
spreading the message that a ray of hope exists in the midst of the economic
depression and home foreclosure epidemic devastating families in cities, rural
areas and communities throughout the state. They have been publicizing SB 1306,
a law recently introduced in the Michigan legislature that would put a two-year
moratorium or halt on foreclosures and evictions.
July 18. Can solidarity stop Detroit eviction?
WW photo: Alan Pollock
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Organizers have been garnering support for the moratorium and getting people on
board for the Sept. 17 march on Lansing, where homeowners, community activists
and others will descend on the state Capitol to demand passage of SB 1306. The
law has also been gaining many endorsers, including Wayne County Clerk Cathy
Garrett.
Activists have been taking direct action to stop foreclosures and evictions by
the bankers. The Coalition issued a call for a demonstration to stop the
eviction of Rubie Curl-Pinkins from her home on Holden Street on
Detroit’s near west side. This disabled senior has lived in her home for
45 years, had it paid off, but was lured into a predatory loan when her medical
bills piled up. Her adult daughter, who suffers from congestive heart failure
and is on oxygen to help her breathe, lives in the home as well.
Countrywide Bank and its law firm Trott & Trott initiated foreclosure
hearing against Pinkins. She has been able to obtain a reverse mortgage and get
the funds to pay off the subprime mortgage in full, but Countrywide refuses to
accept her payment and is going full steam ahead with the foreclosure. The
Pinkins family is scheduled to be evicted on July 25.
On July 18, some 100 people gathered at the Pinkins home to express outrage and
show solidarity. The militant demonstration involved family and community
members, Coalition activists, and Black, white and Latin@ people of all ages
from many organizations. The protesters chanted “Justice for Rubie
Curl-Pinkins!” and “Power to the people!” Activists took the
microphone to denounce the lenders and speak out for people’s rights.
They demanded a moratorium on foreclosures and evictions and vowed that the
Pinkins family would not face their plight alone. Another demonstration is
scheduled for Bank of America, owner of Countrywide, in downtown Detroit on
July 22, to demand they accept the redemption payment from Pinkins.
The protest was the top story on the 11 p.m. newscast of WXYZ-TV 7, an ABC
affiliate. Fox News TV 2 and WWJ news radio also ran stories. The Michigan
Citizen newspaper ran the Coalition’s entire press release on its
editorial page.
The Coalition leaflet stated: “Countrywide and Trott & Trott’s
actions epitomize the ruthlessness and illogic of the finance industry, which
would rather assert its power to throw people in the streets than accept
payment for the homes. The banks and finance companies are destroying our
communities, creating thousands of abandoned and vandalized homes, and reducing
property values for everyone. Just this week, the federal government bailed out
the banks and finance industry by guaranteeing $300 billion in taxpayer money
to back up their bad loans. What about bailing out the people, the real victims
of the foreclosure crisis?”
Earlier in the week, foreclosure moratorium activists responded to an eviction
occurring in Oakland County, just north of Detroit. After a woman’s
belongings were taken to the curb by the bailiff, a team worked steadily to
move her possessions back into the home.
Coalition organizers have met with students and activists in Ypsilanti who are
taking on the moratorium campaign. They were also invited to speak at the
Wyandotte Democratic Club’s monthly meeting. This downriver working-class
suburb is also the site of rampant foreclosures. A lively discussion generated
strong support for SB 1306. The club endorsed the Sept. 17 march on Lansing and
passed a hat for donations to help Coalition efforts.
Organizers blanketed the crowd at a recent fireworks display in Monroe, south
of Detroit, urging people in that city to pressure their state senator, Randy
Richardville, chair of the banking and financial services committee, to drop
his pro-banker stance against the moratorium bill. On July 19 Coalition members
traveled to Cheboygan in northern Michigan to help activists there build for
the Sept. 17 march. On July 21, organizers headed to Battle Creek in western
Michigan.
Volunteers and donations are desperately needed. Please visit the Moratorium
NOW! Coalition Web site at moratorium-mi.org for information on how to assist
this struggle.
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