Occupy Bernal and ACCE Foreclosure and Eviction Fighters and supporters joined forces at a meeting on May 31, 2012, to plan strategies and tactics for stopping predatory foreclosures and related auctions and evictions.
Update: A fabulous time was had by all, except perhaps the Bank of America security guards who locked up the front door of the bank branch once the protestors arrived.
WHAT: Occupella joins the Wild Old Women at their weekly Bank of America protest
WHEN: May 31, noon.
WHERE: Bank of America Branch, 3250 Mission Street @29th Street, San Francisco
WHY: Occupy Bernal is again in the press, under headlines such as “Occupy Bernal Blocks Auction of Foreclosed Home in San Francisco” and “Occupy Bernal Succeeds in Stalling Foreclosures.” On Thursday, the hilltop neighborhood’s famously fierce senior women invite some musical friends to celebrate, protest, and make noise, as part of their notorious weekly visits to the bank. Some say the future of Occupy is in local, neighborhood-based work — on Thursday May 31, the Wild Old Women and Occupella show how it’s done.
WHO:
Occupella describes itself: “Informal public singing at Bay Area occupation sites, marches and at BART stations. We sing to promote peace, justice, and an end to corporate domination, especially in support of the Occupy movement.”
Contact: Tita Caldwell, titacal@aol.com; 415-505-9391
Press:
“In addition to some original material, Occupella rewrites well-known songs with Occupy-relevant lyrics.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/09/occupella-san-francisco_n_1413626.html
“The group … hopes commuters will walk away with a song in their head, or better yet, join in and sing.”
http://missionlocal.org/2012/04/occupella-sings-in-the-mission/
The Wild Old Women describe themselves: “Our action was started in December 2011 by a group of nine women who live in affordable senior housing in Bernal Heights. Since then we have “occupied” the sidewalk in front of the Bank of America every Thursday from 12 – 1 p.m. We have been joined by friends and political allies, as well as strangers who have stopped and talked to us. Our object is to protest the bank’s practice of foreclosing on people’s homes, and of raising the fees of low income people. We are also acting in solidarity with the Occupy movement, and are happy to be part of Occupy Bernal.”
Press:
“It was a slow-moving Occupy Wall Street protest, but it was an effective one.”
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2012/01/05/wild-old-women-close-san-francisco-bank-of-america-branch/
“There’s no chanting, tents, or tear gas, and certainly no cops in riot gear. Rather, the Wild Old Women hold signs and hand out pamphlets, trying to talk to people and convince them to move their money out of the big banks.”
http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2012/01/wild_old_women_tita_caldwell.php
Photos:
http://occupybernal.org/wordpress/?attachment_id=212
http://occupybernal.org/wordpress/?p=238
http://occupybernal.org/wordpress/?p=190
Occupy Bernal is a neighborhood-based Occupy currently focusing on preventing the banks from throwing our neighbors out of their homes. Web: http://www.occupybernal.org
To sign up for the Occupy Bernal press list and/or obtain photos and video of the event, see http://www.occupybernal.org/press
Notetaker: Kirsten came in during introductions so no list of people attending. Molly is chairing the meeting. Bolded are action items committed to.
Introductions
Discussion of Education Materials
We need fact sheets for every case, compelling and specific stories are the best way for us to get our message out.
Diane volunteered to write up the stories of some of the foreclosures and our successes.
Recommendation to forward ACCE stories to Legislators to Supervisors, Ed Mayor – once they get it becomes public record. Everyone can do this
Post videos to Facebook (We should have a bunch of video stories) Suggest going to the universities to get volunteers to make movie.
Get Noe Valley Voice and El Tecolote and Bay View Times – fabulous ideas for the media committee. Molly, Christy, Diane volunteered to be on the media committee. Good models are on-line for Thomas’ case
Video is being done by Peter Menchini and Beth Stephen’s student, Julia. There are great speeches on-line already. Molly has the 10 minute version and says a 5 minute version will be better.
Fiesta Report:
Over 280 people over the period of the day. Lots of good people coming. Annie and Beth spoke, Ernesto and Ross spoke. There were about 30 new sign ups. We sold all 60 buttons. People are interested.! This was a great event- first thing where we all went out to get new people. One thing we need to do is the phone tree.- to call al new sign ups engaged. We could set up different categories — people who only want to hear about emergency actions, people who want to be on various committees, or people who want to come to the meetings. If we call people we can figure out how people want to be involved.
The Fiesta was a big commitment – maybe there is something less ambitious we can do. House party might be easier?
Next Education meeting is June 4th what about using it to recruit for house parties – foreclosure fighter potlucks in different homes.… do a leaflet. Foreclosure fighters invite their friends to meet someone who is in foreclosure. It would be nice to have some of the tapes so we can tell the story in more places.
Auctions
Other than Ernesto, we have haven’t helped any get a refinance. All we’ve been able to do is to get a postponement. Erik has one on May 31, Alberto has one on June 1.
Jeff Buckley in the Mayor’s office – suggests writing up the situations and demand that the postponement be indefinite. The mayor’s letter now has 10 other mayors asking for a pause in foreclosures. While we are in negotiations put off the auctions. If they don’t do it then we go into action.
Commander came by and complained that we are blowing whistles in people’s ears so it can be considered assault if there is a complaint filed. One of the lieutenants last Tuesday kept and eye on them and we weren’t able to disrupt. They are finding ways to get around us now. We may need to change strategies.
Physically stopping the auctions and/or political solution to stop the auctions = two choices not necessarily exclusive. We need numbers to stop the auctions – connect to our actual stories. We have only a week for Erik’s auction. Need to get moving now.
We’ve succeeded in stopping 50- 60 by the e-mails. None of our people have actually gone to auction. We have power before the auction to prevent. We have to keep doing the two things.
ACCE wants to talk about actions every day for two weeks. We should bring proposals from this group. We need to get the case histories of unfair evictions back in the media. Even if we don’t stop the auction we can educate the seller and the passer-bys. When should we do this? The issue isn’t just when can we get the people. If we are fighting with people we actually have a chance.
We can’t wait on Eric and Alberto’s auction dates. Proposal is that we do an e-mail blast for both of them. Propose that we go down on June 1 for Albertos. Auction is at 2:00 – get there at 1:45. Proposal that this is part of a week- long recruitment — enlarge the e-mail list. There are many more people who care. Get histories done and recruit and then show up en masse. Educate people about dual tracking, — Diane and the media committee (Christy, Grace, Molly, Jose) will do histories and we’ll use this as an education and outreach. Use auctions as a way to do education and outreach… Table on Saturday 4 -6 and Monday 11- 1 (one hour shifts), starting at noon at Good Life. Media committee meeting on Monday evening at 7 pm. Next Thursday with WOW and Occupella.
Judy K and Stardust met with DA, Chief of Staff . They only want to hear about possibilities of fraud and/or discrimination – robo signing etc. There can be no follow-up to the assessors report. The City Attorneys are really committed to working with us – get more information from Ting report. – public records records. There are limitations on what they can do. Apparently Kamala Harris’ legislation isn’t going anywhere. Dual tracking is pre-empted. There is a new consumer finance protection bureau – they can do regulations that eliminate dual tracking. They are very interested in the auction stuff. There is also a committee now – Occupy the lawyers group – try to get them to take some of this one. The City Attorney is really committed… they have three people working on it.
Nothing we can do right now because of global settlement with the 5 big banks. … Ting report can’t really be used unless there is an issue of fraud or discrimination. Cases outside of the big banks, there might be able to do something. Foreclosure mills can be attacked because they are not part of the global settlement. There is a lot of cooperation.
Announcements
Chronicle will publish an Op-Ed from Occupy Bernal and ACCE – Maria, Stardust, Grace, Kat with a couple of changes. Signed by Dexter and Maria..
Egyptian youth founder, Tuesday at 7 pm.. An e-mail will go out about it.
Door knockers going forward—need some more people.
Julian and Juli will make a proposal for house parties.
We should have a table at the Fiesta on the Hill and the Hill -wide garage sale. Get a bunch of people, sit and talk to people. Great idea…
Communication between WOW and Bernal – want a closer relationship between B of A actions and Bernal! They would be more involved… Would like to do outreach to the WOW women. Propose that we highlight cases at of B of A. Come on Thursdays from 12 to 1:00. Bring leaflets. Action Alert and make a call about Mary Jo’s case.
Brainstorm – What can we do to block the auctions; what can we do to Wells Fargo. More permanent postponement of auctions and go after the Wells Board members. If the shouting isn’t stopping the auctions what could? Strategy meeting with ACCE and figure out how to gain traction on these issues. Dexter re-occupied and he was re-evicted.
Brainstorm and strategy session with ACCE. 10 am 1717 17th Street is the meeting time.
Next meeting is in two weeks- June 5th
Please protest the auction of the home of Bernal resident Allen Stowers for today, May 23, 2012. Allen is out of town on business, but has asked us to protest the sale of his home.
Please come at 1:45pm to the sidewalk in front of City Hall at 400 Van Ness Ave. Bring a whistle and earplugs (we have some to share).
Thanks so much to Beth and Annie for facilitating an amazing Bernal Block Party Foreclosure Fighter Fiesta today. The event brought together the neighborhood and the community supporting the Foreclosure and Eviction Fighters (FEFs) to enjoy each other’s company and join the campaign to save our homes from bank foreclosures and evictions, along with some great food and music. Beth and Annie presented Good Neighbor Awards to the FEFs. The list of people to thank is so long… everyone who helped out deserves a tremendous thank you!
Link: Video (thanks to Selene Naxou!)
Saturday, May 19, 2012, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Download the Good Neighbor Block Party Invite Poster!
Entertainment, live music, barbecue, beverages, tabling, kids activities, movies, education, fun, networking, and best of all–GREAT NEIGHBORS! Everyone is invited.
Plus an award ceremony to honor local foreclosure fighters + activists. Celebrate the successful actions that have helped keep neighbors in their homes. We’ll acknowledge the miraculous work being done to stop foreclosures. Mingle with people who care about people.
Presented by your neighbors
Andover St. (Cortland & Ellert)
Between the Bernal Heights Library & the Good Life Grocery
Hosted by Occupy Bernal
We’re also seeking volunteers to help on the day of the event. Join us for a production meeting Friday night, May 18, 6-8 at Progressive Grounds. Or just come!
Call Annie B. 415-821-7617
Or email annie.borgenicht@gmail.com
Please join our facebook event page
Check out this video of the amazing Brass Liberation Orchestra protesting bank sales of our neighbors’ homes at the Occupy the Auctions action today.
For more news, photos, and videos of the action:
http://occupytheauctions.org/wordpress/?p=1730
Tell Wells Fargo: Stop the Auction of Ernesto Viscarra’s Home!
Please take action with three steps to save Ernesto’s home:
1) Send the following email right now to Wells Fargo’s CEO, Board Members, and other staff–
To: john.g.stumpf@wellsfargo.com, alfredo.pedroza@wellsfargo.com
Subject: Postpone Auction of Ernesto Viscarra’s Home at 249 Anderson St., San Francisco (Loan # 46110532)
Dear Wells Fargo staff,
Please take IMMEDIATE action to postpone the auction of Ernesto Viscarra’s home at 249 Anderson St., San Francisco (Loan # 46110532).
Mr. Viscarra has lived in his home for 33 years. After four years of being ignored, he finally was able to negotiate with your institution, and was granted a trial loan modification. He has been making his payments on time, but he still has an auction date of Monday, May 21 on his home.
I am aware of situations in which Wells Fargo staff have engaged in dual tracking, where homeowners are simultaneously on track for a loan modification and for foreclosure, and have lost their home as a result.
Please make assurances that you will make good on the terms of Mr. Viscarra’s loan modification and take immediate action to cancel the auction of his home.
Sincerely,
your name here
2) Starting at 8:00am on May 16, call the following Wells Fargo representatives with the message below.
Contact:
Tell them (or leave a message):
“Please take IMMEDIATE action to postpone the auction of Ernesto Viscarra’s home at 249 Anderson St., San Francisco (lLoan # 46110532). Mr. Viscarra has lived in his home for 33 years. After four years of being ignored, he finally was able to negotiate with your institution, and was granted a trial loan modification. He has been making his payments on time, but he still has a May 21 auction date on his home. I am aware of situations in which Wells Fargo staff have engaged in dual tracking, where homeowners are simultaneously on track for a loan modification and for foreclosure, and have lost their home as a result. Please make assurances that you will make good on the terms of Mr. Viscarra’s loan modification and take immediate action to cancel the auction of his home.”
3.) If the sale of the home is not cancelled, join us on the steps of City Hall (Van Ness side) on Monday, May 21, at 9:45 a.m. to stop the auction.
Occupy Bernal Media Advisory
For Immediate Release
Contact: Annie B., 415-483-9138, press@occupybernal.org
What: A family-friendly street party and the Good Neighbor Awards.
Where: Andover Street between Cortland and Ellert
When: May 19, 2012 from 1-4 p.m.
Occupy Bernal is proud to have helped prevent the evictions of some of our neighbors! To show appreciation for the hard work and perseverance of Bernal locals, we’re throwing a “foreclosure fighter” fiesta.
In addition to hobnobbing with our neighbors; still in their homes no thanks to the banks:
– the infamous Wild Old Women who regularly shut down the local Bank of America branch to national acclaim are expected
– hear organizer Stardust play oboe in the Occupy Bernal Band
– see Occupy Bernal instigator Beth Stephens and artist/activist Annie Sprinkle hand out the awards to neighbors whose homes are in foreclosure and who are fighting to stop predatory bank practices.
– eat barbecue cooked by foreclosure fighter Tom German
– enjoy a potluck, live music, kids activities, education, silkscreening with Families Occupy San Francisco [ https://www.facebook.com/
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/
To sign up for the Occupy Bernal press list and/or obtain photos and video of the event, see http://www.occupybernal.org/
Andover St. between Cortland & Ellert (Next to library)
Saturday, May 19th, 1:00-4:00 pm
YOU are invited to co-create this event with us.
WE’RE HAVING A BLOCK PARTY POTLUCK to honor our wonderful foreclosure fighter neighbors + activists. We’ll celebrate the successful actions that have helped keep neighbors in their homes and acknowledge the amazing work we’ve done to help stop foreclosures.
Meet folks who care about people.
SEEKING entertainers, acoustic musicians, a deejay, production manager,
production assistants, planners, food/beverage help, set up/clean up angels, sponsors, people to poster, social network help, a press liaison, seeking involvement of related organizations (i.e.: MEDA, ACCE, SF Housing), tabling assistance, graphic designer, decoration, kid’s activities (sidewalk chalk, bubbles, crafts, face painter), gate monitors, journalists to spread the good news, documentarians, food/drinks for pot luck, and more.
Let us know what YOU want to do.
Join us for production meetings on Sundays at Progressive Grounds on Cortland & Bennington, 10-11:30 a.m. May 6 & 13. Friday night, May 18, 6-8 p.m.
Want to collaborate? We need YOU!
Call Annie S. & Beth today: 415-847-1323 or Annie B. 415-821-7617
Or email anniesprinkle@me.com
More info: occupybernal.org