[Moratorium-Mich] Update on the Campaign for a Moratorium onForeclosures in Michigan

THis is positive news, organizing along any lines to resist foreclosures. But I think mass movement would also mean more taking a direct action approach rather than focusing first on getting the culprits to pass legislation. Legislation is important but it would arise out of a mass direct action campaign anyway much as the legislation following the factory occupations of the thirties or that following the civil rights movement did. It is the direct action, occupations, that simply forced them to recognize on paper what had been won on the streets.

During Thatchers vicious poll tax in Britain, the Anti-Poll Tax Federations defended residents and hundreds showed up to stop baliffs from evicting them from their homes. This campaign is a good beginning but watch out for the politicians, they'll sell it out, they will protect the bankers and speculators. Here are some suggestions , tactics that have served us well in struggles with slumlords; they were directed at tenants of foreclosed landlords but the tactics are the same.

I have become used to saying that no one has lost their home; they haven't gone away. They have been driven from them by moneylenders; it's economic terrorism.

1. Stay in your home: once you leave, you‘ve lost. If you’re a renter - a verbal
eviction is not legal. Find out if you have eviction protection laws in your city.

2. Organize – Safety in Numbers: Gather friends, neighbors and other tenants or
subprime victims to resist your eviction.

3. Direct Action: Make your eviction public. Picket your landlord’s or bankers or politicians
home or your mortgage company. If you’re in foreclosure demand the bank renegotiate the loan.

4. Get Political: Fight for legislation to regulate the banks and make them pay for
this crisis. Fight for eviction protections and rent control. All the big banks should
become publicly-owned and democratically run.
5. Contact Campaign for Renters Rights at 510.595.5545 for support, suggestions
and help organizing.

Subject: [Moratorium-Mich] Update on the Campaign for a Moratorium onForeclosures in Michigan

Update from the
Moratorium NOW! Coalition to Stop Foreclosures and Evictions
phone: 313-319-0870
website: www.moratorium-mi.org
email: moratorium@moratorium-mi.org

We can stop foreclosures in Michigan! But only a mass movement can do it – by winning passage of Senate Bill 1306 (a 2-year moratorium on foreclosures) introduced by Senator Hansen Clarke last week. You can be sure the bill will go nowhere unless every progressive group and individual gets out organizing – leading up to a huge occupation of people outside the Capitol. With hundreds of thousands of foreclosures in Michigan this is possible. The bankers have already denounced the bill. Will you take on these bankers with us?

Come to the Coalition Meeting
Saturday, May 10, 2 PM
at the Central United Methodist Church, 23 E. Adams (at Woodward), Detroit

Statewide Office for the Moratorium NOW! is now open
The Moratorium NOW! Coalition now has a state-wide office. The Grand Opening was on Monday, May 12. It will serve as the nerve center for building the grassroots, mass movement that is needed to win the 2-year moratorium. We thank Rev. Rowe of the Central United Methodist Church and the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization for making this happen.

Location: 4th floor of the Central United Methodist Church, 23 E. Adams, Detroit

Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 AM - 3 PM

Hours will certainly expand as the movement picks up steam.
We need organizing centers around the state
Every city, every town and every village in this state needs to be organized! Become an organizing center. It's not hard, and we will help you in any way that we can. Call 313-319-0870 today!

Already, the Moratorium NOW! coalition has an organizing center in Benton Harbor. If you live in or near Benton Harbor, please contact Pastor L. Andre Golliday, of the World Embassy Church, at 269-325-7816, to get involved in this very important campaign.

Email your elected state representatives
We have made it easy to do. Go to www.moratorium-mi.org and click on the
JOIN the Email Campaign for a Moratorium NOW link.

Then call your own state senator and representative repeatedly, and insist that they support Sen. Clarke's bill calling for a 2-year moratorium on foreclosures. The phone numbers are available at the website.

"The Foreclosure Crisis: What Can We Do About It?"
Senator Hansen Clarke will be giving a speech "The Foreclosure Crisis: What Can We Do About It?", the Saturday, May 17, at 10 AM at the Royal Oak Community Center, 3500 Marais, Royal Oak.

Leaflets and Background info
Get leaflets and background material on the foreclosure crisis at the Moratorium NOW! website. We will post them as soon as they becomes available.

A Home is a Right!,
Mike Shane
Moratorium NOW! Coalition