March on Madigan

Janean L. Watkins, Managing Editor

On March 28, 2011

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For over a year, the group "Anti-Eviction Campaign" has been working along with residents and community leaders to seek justice in unfair housing practices, evictions, and foreclosure disparities. Now the group calls on university students to join them in their fight for justice.

Unlike other protests, and rallies the group has organized, this rally targets State's Attorney Lisa Madigan's office to appeal for assistance with Chicago housing reform. Though the topic has not been one to be seen on a regular basis through Chicago media outlets, it is a hot topic among activist in Chicago.

Mayor Elect, Rahm Emanuel, has done his homework in regards to Chicago's housing situation and has tapped top notched people for the Housing Transition team. The teams will be co-chaired by able-bodied people, who have a vested interest in housing, education, and health-care reform – namely Rebecca Gonzalez – Vice President of Programs and Operations for Casa Central, and Reverend Dr. Byron Brazier, former Director of Management Information Systems for Chicago Housing Authority.

For Immediate Release:

On Thursday, March 24th, 11am, we will arrive outside Madigan's office, at 100 W Randolph Street. Many of us will meet at 10:15am at Bank of America (135 S LaSalle) and march from there to the HUD office and finally to Madigan›s office, where families will share their stories of being defrauded by banks and what they want. Together, we›ll demand:

Moratorium on ALL economically-motivated evictions (as HUD budgets are in jeopardy, 11% of homes are vacant, 5 million people are at least 2 months behind on mortgages, banks are already sitting on 1 million unsold properties, and unemployment hovers at 9-10%).

Criminal investigation of the banks responsible for fraud

A task force that includes Madigan as well as other political leaders and community leaders who are themselves in the battle against foreclosure and eviction--to come up with sustainable solutions for dealing with the problem, e.g. new loans for families facing foreclosure.

What can we all do right now? Stay in our homes! Organize, and demand those accountable to us to work for us and with us. Will you join us?

For more information, join their Facebook group at: http://www.facebook.com/group. php?gid=238610161031