MORATORIUM NOW COALITION SUPPORTS WAYNE COUNTY SHERIFF WARREN EVANS’ APPLICATION FOR GOVERNOR GRANHOLM TO DECLARE MORATORIUM ON FORECLOSURES IN WAYNE

Press Release

MORATORIUM NOW! COALITION TO STOP FORECLOSURES AND EVICTIONS

23 East Adams, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 27, 2009

Contact: 313-319-0870

MORATORIUM NOW! COALITION SUPPORTS WAYNE COUNTY SHERIFF WARREN EVANS’ APPLICATION FOR GOVERNOR GRANHOLM TO DECLARE MORATORIUM ON FORECLOSURES IN WAYNE COUNTY

DENOUNCES GRANHOLM’S REJECTION OF APPLICATION AS LEGALLY INDEFENSIBLE AND AN AFFRONT TO POOR AND WORKING PEOPLE

ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR DEMONSTRATION AT STATE OF STATE ADDRESS,

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2009, 6:00 PM AT THE STATE CAPITOL

The Moratorium Now Coalition to Stop Foreclosures and Evictions fully supports Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans’ effort in applying to Gov. Jennifer Granholm for a Declaration of a State of Emergency in Wayne County and the imposition of a six-month on Moratorium on Foreclosures in Wayne County to meet the crisis.

Governor Granholm’s summary rejection of this request is an affront to the poor and working people in Wayne County suffering every day from the foreclosure epidemic that is destroying our communities. Last week the Detroit News, citing Realcomp, reported that the median sale prices of homes in Metro Detroit due to foreclosures fell to $57,000 in 2008, a 46.3% decline from 2007’s median sale price of $108,100. In the City of Detroit, the median sale price for homes dropped to an astonishing $7,500. Despite the false pronouncements of “loan modification programs” by many banks and mortgage companies, foreclosures and evictions are continuing unabated in Wayne County. Every day seniors as well as unemployed workers are being thrown out of their homes.

Jerry Goldberg, an attorney who defends individuals facing foreclosure, and a member of the Coalition, stated: “Governor Granholm’s statement that she does not have the legal authority to declare a moratorium is absolutely incorrect. In fact, under Michigan law pursuant to MCL 10.31, the governor is invested by Michigan law with the power to declare a State of Emergency in times of great public crisis either in a particular locale on application of a mayor or Sheriff, or statewide; and to promulgate reasonable rules, orders and regulations ‘necessary to protect life and property or to bring the emergency situation within the affected area under control.’ In Walsh v City of River Rouge, 385 Mich 623 (1971), the Michigan Supreme Court held that the emergency powers to invoke and act on a State of Emergency were exclusive to the governor.

“In Russell v Battle Creek Lumber Co., 265 Mich 649 (1934), the Michigan Supreme Court upheld the emergency moratorium statute, Act No. 98, Pub. Acts 1933, which with subsequent amendments placed a five (5) year Moratorium on foreclosures in Michigan during the 1930’s depression.

“The Michigan Supreme Court adopted the ruling of U.S. Supreme Court in Home Loan & Building Loan Ass’n v Blaisdell, 290 US 398 (1934). In that case, in upholding a Minnesota Moratorium on Foreclosures, the U.S. Supreme Court held that upon a declaration of a State of Emergency and pursuant to a state’s police power during an emergency economic crisis, a moratorium on foreclosures was constitutional, and that a state’s power to protect the health and welfare of the people during crises essentially superseded the contract clause of the constitution. In Makar v Peoples Wayne County Bank of Dearborn, 284 Mich 489 (1938), the Michigan Supreme Court again upheld the constitutionality of the Michigan Moratorium Act, which had been in effect for four years when this case was decided. The Court noted in upholding this Act that one of its purposes was ‘to prevent valuable property from being sold at distress prices occasioned by an economic emergency and to give mortgagors a chance to preserve their equities.’ ”

The Moratorium Now Coalition will be demonstrating in Lansing at the State Capitol on Tuesday February 3, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. when Governor Granholm gives her State of the State address. For transportation information call 313-887-4344. Coalition website is moratorium-mi.org.

Draft Emergency Bail Out the People Program

Bail Out the
People Movement
FIGHBACK CONFERENCE
Draft Working Paper
Realizing the Fightback—Some Perspective and Plans

The following was adopted at the Jan. 17 Fightback Conference in NYC. It is a work in progress.

Contents
Phase 1: Establishing a fightback program
Phase 2: May Day— a possible turning point in the fightback
Phase 3: March on Washington, D.C. for Jobs
Convening a People’s Assembly
Proposed Campaigns •Mobilizations •Draft Fightback Program
1. Campaigns
A. Organizing the unemployed on a mass basis
B. A People’s Assembly
C. Support and expand Moratorium Now!
D. Solidarity with immigrant workers
E. Recruiting an army of volunteer organizers

Link to Draft Emergency Bail Out the People Program

Housing is a Universal Right - Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Article 25.

• (1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

• (2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, part of the International Bill of Rights, was adopted by UN General Assembly Resolution 217A (III) of 10 December 1948.

The United States of America refuses to comply with the International Bill of Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - no surprise here.

From Wikipedia:
The International Bill of Human Rights is an informal name given to two international treaties and one General Assembly resolution established by the United Nations. It consists of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (adopted in 1948), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966) with its two Optional Protocols and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966).1 The two covenants entered into force in 1976, after a sufficient number of countries had ratified them.

Cook County Board votes for a 1-year moratorium on home foreclosures in Illinois.

from http://www.co.cook.il.us/

October 11, 2008

Support President Stroger's Proposal for a One-Year Statewide Moratorium on Home Foreclosures

On September 17, the Cook County Board voted to support President Stroger’s resolution calling for a moratorium on home foreclosures in Illinois. The resolution also empowers Cook County to divest its funds from financial institutions that do not support

On September 17, the Cook County Board voted to support President Stroger’s resolution calling for a moratorium on home foreclosures in Illinois. The resolution also empowers Cook County to divest its funds from financial institutions that do not support homeowner relief.

• County Board Resolution
  Read the September 17, 2008 County Board Resolution, supporting the moratorium.
• Press Release - September 17, 2008
  Link to the press release regarding the proposal and County support.
• Online Petition – show your support now online.
  Click to sign the online petition in support of the Mortgage Moratorium.
• Print Petition – Help collect signatures to support the Mortgage Moratorium.
  Download a printable copy of the moratorium petition.

Sept. 25: Bail Out the People - Not the Banks Demo - Detroit

BAIL OUT THE PEOPLE - NOT THE BANKS! Not One More Penny for Wall Street! Demand a Federal Moratorium on Foreclosures NOW! Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008 4:30 PM Gather at the Spirit of Detroit statue, Woodward and Jefferson, Detroit March through Financial District

Demand that the first item in any emergency federal legislation be protection for the victims of this crisis, the millions facing foreclosures and millions of others who are seeing their communities destroyed by the foreclosure epidemic brought on by the predatory lending and fraud of the financial industry. Demand the enactment of an immediate 2 year federal moratorium on all foreclosures. Such a moratorium is mandatory under federal law, which mandates the imposition of a moratorium on foreclosures whenever there is a declaration of a State of Emergency. During the moratorium, an oversight committee of community representatives, civil rights organizations, unions should review and adjust every mortgage in the country, so people’s house payments reflect the real values of their homes and their ability to pay. Such oversight cannot be left to the bankers or even to federal judges who are often disconnected from the reality facing working people today. Demand that rather than spending $1 trillion of taxpayer money to bail out Wall Street, that money be used to guarantee people’s needs, for decent jobs, health care, education, etc. It is the decline in wages, massive restructuring that has eliminated millions of decent paying jobs, and spiraling health costs that in large part has brought on this crisis, forcing people to take out unaffordable predatory loans just to survive. The Moratorium Now! Coalition has been pressing for a statewide moratorium on foreclosures in Michigan and recently held a demonstration in Lansing, MI to support SB 1306, which would put such a moratorium into effect. The Coalition is also demanding that new Detroit Mayor Kenneth Cockrel declare a State of Emergency in Detroit, the hardest hit city in the country by the foreclosure epidemic with an 18% home vacancy rate, and formerly apply to Governor Granholm to place a moratorium on foreclosures in Detroit pursuant to MCL 10.31 For more information contact 313-319-0870.

SIGN THE ONLINE PETITION demanding the Feds implement an IMMEDIATE MORATORIUM ON FORECLOSURES AND EVICTIONS, NOW!

SEPTEMBER 27 International Day of Action

SEPTEMBER 27
International Day of Action

NO Money for Wall Street & War -
Bail Out the Workers and the Poor!

Anti-war activists need to address the latest phase of the war - the war against working people here!

Foreclose the War - Not People's Homes!
Bail Out People - Not Banks!
Money for Human Needs - Not War and Corporate Greed!

IN NYC:
March and Rally
Saturday SEPT 27
12 noon
Times Sq. - 42nd & 7th Ave.
-and in cities across the U.S.
see http://stopwaroniran.org/ for a list of local actions

Washington wants:

• $1 Trillion to bail out mortgage bankers
• $3 Trillion on the War in Iraq
• $ Billions for War against Iran
  

We Demand Money for:

• Housing
• Health Care
• Jobs with a Living Wage
• Rebuilding the Gulf Coast
• Education

SIGN THE ONLINE PETITION
demanding the Feds implement an
IMMEDIATE MORATORIUM ON FORECLOSURES AND EVICTIONS, NOW!

The same institutions that profit from endless war are now demanding that the entire U.S. Treasury to be placed at their disposal to bailout corrupt banks and mortgage institutions, a declaration of endless war against people at home. Even mainstream media is describing this as the “financial equivalent of the Patriot Act,” which will give the banks and their politicians in Washington a license to seize billions of dollars for the benefit of Wall Street bankers.

Many have speculated that the Bush Administration might launch an “October Surprise” - and it has. This is an outright declaration of war against working people. We’re told there’s no money for health care, education, infrastructure – but in one swoop – $1 trillion has been found to prop up banks and financial institutions. This money has been stolen from working people, who will face massive cuts in every social program.

Saturday's Day of Action was originally called by the Stop War on Iran Campaign to protest the Bush Administration's drive to war against Iran, and the demand "Stop War On Iran" will remain a central theme of the demonstration. In light of recent developments - Washington's declaration of war against working people in order to fund an unprecedented trillion dollar bailout of Wall Street bankers - anti-war activists need to address the latest phase of the war - the war against working people here.

No Corporate Bailout! - We need immediate moratorium on foreclosures; health care, education and housing.
SIGN THE ONLINE PETITION demanding the Feds implement an IMMEDIATE MORATORIUM ON FORECLOSURES AND EVICTIONS, NOW!

Donate to help with costs for this national day of action at: http://iacenter.org/donate/

For more information, call 212-633-6646

Sept. 17 Lansing Demo: Moratorium NOW!

Lansing, Mich., protest: ‘Moratorium now! No evictions!’

Published Sep 17, 2008 10:45 PM

WW photos: Cheryl LaBash and Alan Pollock

Streaming onto the state capitol grounds in Lansing on the morning of Sept. 17, hundreds from across the state of Michigan and beyond demanded passage of SB 1306, a bill that would enact a two-year moratorium on foreclosures. Demanding “Moratorium Now!” and “Bail out the people not the banks,” protesters held a spirited march, rally and people’s public hearing detailing both the devastation of foreclosures and the people’s will to keep fighting for a moratorium.

—Bryan G. Pfeifer