‘Unstoppable’ Homeowners Fight Mortgage and Foreclosure Fraud in Los Angeles

[eridani]

http://www.nationofchange.org/2014/10/11/unstoppable-homeowners-fight-mortgage-foreclosure-fraud-los-angeles/

SH: Could you tell us about the beginnings of Occupy Fights Foreclosures and where it is now?

CM:: Occupy Fights Foreclosures was founded during the beginning of the Occupy Wall Street movement in Los Angeles. Immediately upon learning of the gathering and encampment, I set up a tent and brought tables, chairs, a computer, and lots of literature. Prior to Occupy, I had been doing anti-foreclosure work but it was very hard to connect with people. The media was not covering the crisis as they should. All the blame was on homeowners.

Through the Occupy movement I was able to bring the foreclosure crisis to the front of the conversations. There were countless meetings, sleepless nights convincing other activists that this was a cause worth fighting for. We held meetings with other groups and connected with so many talented people. Occupy was in my opinion what brought foreclosures and the banks’ corruption to the level of attention it deserved.

I developed relationships of trust with other activists that took us into forming what we now recognize as OFF – Occupy Fights Foreclosures. Immediately after the encampment was closed, we created an action over [at] the county courthouse to stop a foreclosure auction. We held a press conference, and it was well attended by all the media. Our message was simple: “We are not going away.” We will strike at any given moment to expose the corruption on the foreclosure crisis.

We continue by having three weekly meetings. One is for Spanish speaking attendees. Keeping people together for a long time is hard, but we have managed to stay together and accomplish a lot. Together we have created home occupations and demonstrations at all levels, some very creative. Our next big call to action is on Friday, Oct. 31. We will present the “Ghosts of Wall Street” educational spectacle during the Hollywood Halloween Street Fair. Please visit Occupy Fights Foreclosures for more information: