Original Article: http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=693366&catid=2&provider=email
By Jana Shortal, KARE 11 News
Updated: 5/11/2009 7:44:16 AM

If a home is the family castle, in many cases, the castle is crumbling.

On Sunday, three mothers stood with the group 'Minnesota Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign' to state their cases about being foreclosed upon and beg for mercy from the lending institutions.

"There have been three generations of Parks' to live in my mom's house," Leslie Parks said breakind down. "My mother, me, and my 88-year-old grandmother and to throw us out on the street makes no sense.

Leslie says her mother's home will be taken from them in a matter of weeks. Victims of a predatory lender, Leslie says, who sold them a mortgage her mother couldn't refuse and now a mortgage she couldn't possibly pay.

"We've been in that house 21 years, it just shouldn't happen."

Ann Patterson has a job, a husband and children.

She claims her bank will "not" work with her on a new mortgage and the result will be homelessness.

"The myth is not true; people that lose their houses deserve a break, a second chance, my children do not deserve to lose their house," Patterson said.

On Sunday the group came to call elected officials, the city and the county to action. They ask for help they say. They will pay their way but they want some help to find a mortgage rate that is livable.

Sheila Nelson came to the rally today to advocate for renters rights. Nelson has 4 children and says she was evicted after her landlord, unbeknownst to her, stopped paying his mortgage.

"I've got four kids, living on the streets. The shelters are full and we have been on the streets 3 months now," Nelson told the group.

Labels: Ann Patterson, Cheri Honkala, Foreclosure, MN PPEHRC, Rosemary Williams

For Immediate Release
April 26, 2009
Rosemary Williams eviction trial pushed back to May 26.

Momentum builds in fight against foreclosures

Press conference and picket

April 28, 9 am

Front of Hennepin County Government Center (5th St side)

Rosemary Williams, her attorneys and leaders of the Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign and the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout will be available to speak on important developments in her case.

The eviction trial of Rosemary Williams will be pushed back to May 26. Rosemary Williams, a 55-year resident of the Central Neighborhood in south Minneapolis was scheduled for trial April 28. But now she will remain in her home while the legal proceedings continue.

“I intend to stay and fight,” said Williams. “We are building a movement to get a measure of justice for everyone who is facing foreclosures and evictions. We need a mortitorum on foreclosures.”

Rosemary’s decision to fight the foreclosure and related eviction has drawn broad community support. In addition to the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout and the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign, the effort to defend Rosemary’s home and stop foreclosures has the backing of ACORN, the MN Tenants Union and the Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization.

Cheri Honkala, of the Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign, states, “With the trial delayed, we will use the added time to build the fight to keep Rosemary in her home.”

In a unique legal strategy, hundreds of neighbors, friends and community members have signed legal requests to intervene in her case. They argue that her eviction, which will lead to another vacant home, would create a public nuisance for the entire neighborhood. Low-income neighborhoods with high concentrations of people of color have been the hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis.

Linden Gawboy, of the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout, said, “We are sick of politicians - both republican and democrats - doing nothing about this crisis. In the weeks ahead we are going to turn up the pressure on the bankers and legislators so we can save homes, protect renters and save our neighborhoods.”

For more information contact:

Linden Gawboy / Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout @ 612-296-5649

Cheri Honkala / Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign @ 267-439-8419

Labels: Cheri Honkala, Foreclosure, Linden Gawboy, MN Coalition for a Peoples Bailout states, MN PPEHRC, Rosemary Williams

For Immediate Release
April 20, 2009

Neighbors, friends and community organizations
Rally & Intervene in Court on Rosemary Williams Eviction Case.

Wednesday, April 22, 9:30 am.
Outside Hennepin County Government Center

Rosemary Williams, a 55-year resident of the Central Neighborhood, in south Minneapolis will be going to court the morning of April 22, where she will face evictions proceedings from her foreclosed home. Rosemary's decision to fight the eviction and stand up to foreclosures has drawn broad community support.

Prior to the court hearing, Rosemary Williams will be speaking at a 9:30 press conference and protest organized by the Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign and the MN Coalition for a Peoples Bailout. Other organizations backing the effort include;
ACORN, MN Tenants Union, ECAG and CANDO.

Rosemary Williams states, "Housing is a human right and we need a moratorium on home foreclosures. I am taking a stand for all people facing homelessness from foreclosures and evictions from foreclosed properties. We can not be sacrificed to the greed of bankers and mortgage companies."

Cheri Honkala, of the Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign, states "Rosemary Williams is on the front lines of the fight against foreclosures. We are organizing in our neighborhood and our neighbors are behind her. We will do everything in our power to prevent her eviction."

In the April 22 Court appearance, attorneys for Rosemary Williams will ask the judge to allow her to stay in her home, while the legal issues relating to her case are sorted out.

Specifically, the attorneys will argue that her eviction, which will lead to another vacant home, would create a public nuisance for the entire neighborhood. Low income neighborhoods with high concentrations of people of color have been the hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis. Hundreds of residents of the Central Neighborhood and other concerned people have signed legal requests to intervene in her legal case on these grounds.

Linden Gawboy, of the MN Coalition for a Peoples Bailout states, "Rosemary Williams is helping to build the movement against home foreclosures and we will fight with her every step of the way."

For more information contact:

Linden Gawboy / Minnesota Coalition for a People's Bailout @ 612-296-5649

Cheri Honkala / Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign @ 267-439-8419

Labels: Cheri Honkala, Foreclosure, Linden Gawboy, MN Coalition for a Peoples Bailout states, MN PPEHRC, Rosemary Williams