Moratorium Now! Campaign Opens Office; Demonstration and Town Hall Planned in Detroit

Griffin and Abayomi Azikiwe at May Day rally in Clark Park in southwest Detroit on May 1, 2008. (Photo: Alan Pollock).
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos

For Immediate Release

Media Advisory
Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Events: Moratorium Now! Campaign Opens Office, Demonstration and Town Hall Meeting Planned
Office: Central United Methodist Church, 4th Floor
23 East Adams, Downtown Detroit, MI 48226
Contact: Atty. Jerome Goldberg, Caleb Maupin, Intern
Phone: 313.319.0870
E-mail: moratorium@moratorium-mi.org
URL: http://www.moratorium-mi.org

Moratorium Now! Coalition to Stop Foreclosures and Evictions Supports Passage of Michigan Bill to Place Moratorium on Foreclosures; Demonstration, Organizer's Conference and Town Hall Planned for June 6 and June 14 in Detroit

Michigan is suffering the worst housing crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Every resident of this state, whether they own homes or not, are seriously affected by the economic downturn.

Over 70,000 households are facing eviction where entire communities are being devasted with abandoned and vandalized homes, apartments and commercial structures. SB 1306, the two-year moratorium legislation introduceed by State Senator Hansen Clarke, would allow homeowners to delay the Sheriff's sales. The court will set a reasonable repayment plan for two years based in part on the borrowers income and ability to pay.

The Moratorium Now! Coalition has opened an office in Detroit to work towards the passage of SB 1306. A series of events are scheduled to build support for this ongoing campaign:

Friday, June 6, 4:00-6:00 p.m.--"March Against the Banks": Demand a Moratorium." Gather at the Spirit of Detroit Statue at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Woodward at Jefferson, beginning at 4:00 p.m. March through the financial district to demonstrate the impact of the banking industry on the foreclosure crisis in Detroit.

Saturday, June 14, Statewide Organizers Meeting--Official Town Hall Meeting: Why We Need a Moratorium on Foreclosures

June 14 Location and Schedule:

Location of Event: UAW Local 7 Hall 2600 Connor Avenue, Detroit

Schedule:
10:00 a.m.-Noon--Statewide Organizers Meeting to discuss strategy to mobilize a mass movement across Michigan to WIN passage of Senate Bill 1306 which calls for a 2-year moratorium on foreclosures.

1:00 p.m.--2:00 p.m. Lunch

2:00-4:00 p.m.--Official Town Meeting presenting testimony from the community on foreclosures, evictions, blight and its impact on the communities in Michigan. Chaired by State Senator Hansen Clarke, sponsor of SB 1306.

The Legal clinic will be open to give free legal advice to those facing foreclosure and eviction.