Category Archives: action-alert

Action: Occupy Our Homes Takes on Wells Fargo Bayview Branch in San Francisco on December 6, 2012

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Update as of 3:57pm on December 6, 2012: The protest was an amazing success as more than 60 organizers occupied and shut down the Bayview branch of Wells Fargo in San Francisco as part of a nationwide Occupy Our Homes anniversary day of actions. The protestors chanted “Stop the Evictions, Stop the Foreclosures”, “Save the Wells 27” (click on the link to call and email in support of the 27 San Francisco families at risk of Wells Fargo foreclosures and evictions during the holiday season), and other slogans, as well as decorating the interior and exterior of the bank branch with crime scene tape, displaying banners and placards, and chalking body shapes and slogans on the sidewalk in front of the branch.

Wells Fargo security closed the bank branch and contacted the San Francisco Police Department and eventually the nonviolent protestors voluntarily departed from the bank branch after delivering demands to the bank manager. Then, a number of Foreclosure and Eviction Fighters and representatives from organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Color People (NAACP) spoke to the crowd assembled in front of the branch and demanded an end to predatory foreclosures, short sales, and evictions, as well as demanding that Wells Fargo provide fair deal loan modifications for all homeowners, particularly those who are elderly, disabled, have school-age children or life-threatening illnesses, during the holiday season and beyond.

Perhaps anticipating these protests, Wells Fargo announced yesterday that it will suspend foreclosure and eviction proceedings during the period from December 19 to January 2.

Media coverage: KQED    KTVU    CBS    KGO    SF Weekly    SF Examiner    Bernalwood    SF Bayview

Videos: KTVU Video

Photos:

ACCE members, Occupy Bernal, Occupy Noe, Occupy Action Council SF, Senior and Disability Action, and Allies,

The movement for housing justice and bank accountability continues. We have had many victories and saved many homes, but the Big Banks continue to operate as “Community Killers”, wreaking havoc on our families and neighborhoods. It’s time to demand Wells Fargo and other big banks fix the economy by addressing the massive underwater crisis facing California. It’s time for the resetting of mortgages to fair market value.

What: Don’t Sell Californians Short — Affordable Mortgages, NOT Short Sales! Justice for the Wells 26! No Holiday Foreclosures or Evictions! Speeches by Wells Fargo Foreclosure and Eviction Fighters Larry Faulks and Bernetta Adolph.

When: Thursday, December 6th 10:30am

Where: Meet at Bayview KFC parking lot, intersection of 3rd St. and Jerrold

December 6th is the one year anniversary of Occupy Our Homes, a movement led by Occupy activists and community group allies that has helped to create the political will for a stronger settlement between the Attorney General and the 5 largest banks, as well as passage of Californians landmark foreclosure prevention bill, the CA Homeowner Bill of Rights.

A recent report by the independent monitor of the CA AG settlement showed that the “relief” banks banks claim to be providing is based more on Short Sales than anything else. We demand mortgage relief that KEEPS CALIFORNIANS IN OUR HOMES!

Please join us on Thursday!

Contact Erin for more information – 503-816-4593

ALERT: Demand PennyMac Stop Holiday Eviction of Alice Smith and Five Children

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Update: PennyMac sold Alice Smith’s home to an investment group that is helping her to remain in her home.

Update as of December 1, 2012: PennyMac staff have agreed to postpone the eviction of Alice Smith so that the bank can negotiate with her on reducing her home sale price for her. Please continue calling and emailing until PennyMac makes a fair offer.

Alice Smith is an incredible asset to our community. As a consistent caregiver for five special needs children, she has created a supportive and welcoming home.

Citigroup and PennyMac plan to evict her during the holiday season, currently scheduled for Wednesday, November 28.

Due to care funding cuts, retirement from a job outside the home, and a Vietnam veteran husband who cut off all contact and refused support due to PTSD, Alice’s income declined for awhile and she wasn’t able to make all her mortgage payments. However, she hung in there and provided consistent care for her children even during a period of financial trials and tribulations.

Since that time, her income has recovered so that she can afford a fair deal loan modification.

Let’s help her get PennyMac to either a) rescind eviction proceedings so Alice can obtain that fair deal loan modification from CitiMortgage and make payments to remain in her home with her five children, or b) sell her home to a supportive investment group at the fair price of $450,000, rather than the $510,000 PennyMac has negotiated so far, so that Alice can participate in an affordable buyback program so she and the children can remain in her home for the holidays and beyond.

Please take action to help Alice Smith and her five children stay in their home for the holidays–

1) Call and email PennyMac with the following message:

* Stanford Kurland, Chairman and CEO, +1 818-224-7442 (then type 1 for directory, then first three letters of last name, i.e. 587, then 1 to confirm)
* David Spector, Chief Investment Officer, +1 818-224-7442 (then type 1 for directory, then first three letters of last name, i.e. 773, then 1 to confirm)
* Christopher Oltmann, Director of Investor Relations, +1 818-746-2046 (leave voicemail) or +1 818-224-7028

Sample Email:

To: stanford.kurland@pnmac.com, david.spector@pnmac.com, chris.oltmann@pnmac.com, InvestorRelations@pnmac.com, denise.bounce@pnmac.com
Cc: action@occupytheauctions.org
Subject: Stop the Holiday Eviction of Alice Smith and Five Children

Please stop the holiday eviction of Alice Smith of 15 Le Conte Circle in San Francisco scheduled for Wednesday, November 28. She is a senior and an incredible asset to our community as a caregiver for five special needs children. Although she got behind on mortgage payments to CitiMortgage (loan #1000031156) when reductions in care reimbursements and other circumstances lowered her income, her income has recovered and she can afford to make payments on a fair mortgage loan. Please do the right thing and work with her to 1) stop Alice Smith’s eviction and either 2a) offer her (or make it possible for Citibank offer her) a fair, affordable loan modification, or 2b) sell her home to a supportive investment group at the fair price of $450,000, rather than the $510,000 PennyMac has negotiated so far, so that Alice can participate in an affordable buyback program and she and the children can remain in her home for the holidays and beyond.

Sincerely,

your name


(Note: Faces of the children cannot be shown because they are wards of the state.)

Links: Alice Smith Action Flyer (four per page)

For updates and this action alert: http://occupytheauctions.org/alice

ALERT: Save a Family From Foreclosure and Preserve San Francisco’s Jazz Club Culture

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Update as of December 1, 2012: The CEO of Sterling Bank of Spokane told Pascal Thiam that he has directed his staff to halt any foreclosure auction of Pascal’s home and the Savanna Jazz Club so that the bank can negotiate with Pascal. Please continue calling and emailing until Sterling Bank provides Pascal with a fair deal loan modification.

For the past 10 years, Pascal Thiam and his fellow educators have successfully run the Savanna Jazz Club — an institution committed to preserving an African-American art form: jazz. Dedicated to this mission, Pascal — who also resides above the club — has spent time, savings, and effort to create a space where the community and families can have access to award-winning jazz performances and musicians.

However, in the last year, like so many families in our neighborhoods, Pascal Thiam found out that he, his family, and the Savanna Jazz Club are at risk of foreclosure. When we lose folks like Pascal and an institution like the Savanna Jazz Club, we lose an integral part of our community.

“The current flow of misery and degradation inflicted by the banks’ rush to auction and foreclose on our communities and their cultural institutions is beyond alarming and is unacceptable,” said Dr. Amos Brown, San Francisco Chapter President and National Board Member of the NAACP.

Last year, Sonoma National Bank agreed to modify his loan after Pascal fell two months behind on payments. But after buying Sonoma National’s assets, Sterling Bank refused to work with Pascal. Now, Sterling Bank is foreclosing on the Savanna Jazz Club and Pascal Thiam in the next two weeks. We demand that Sterling Bank work with Pascal Thiam and offer him an affordable loan modification!

Please take action to help Pascal Thiam and his family stay in their home and keep running the Savanna Jazz Club during the holidays–-

  1. Call and email Sterling Bank and key investor Warburg Pincus with the following message:
    • Joe Smith, Executive VP, +1 707-579-2265 office or +1 707-494-9530 cell
    • Lori Crechriou, VP, +1 707-568-1880
    • Greg Seibly, CEO, +1 800-650-7141
    • David Coulter, Financial Director of Warburg Pincus, +1 415-796-5200

     
    Sample email:

    To: joe.smith@bankwithsonoma.com, Lori.crechriou@bankwithsterling.com, Greg.seibly@bankwithsterling.com, david.coulter@warburgpincus.com
    Cc: action@occupytheauctions.org
    Subject: Stop Sterling’s Holiday Foreclosure Auction and Offer Pascal Thiam and the Savanna Jazz Club a Fair Deal Loan Modification

    Please get Sterling Bank to stop the holiday foreclosure auction of the home Pascal Thiam and the Savanna Jazz Club at 2937 Mission Street in San Francisco’s Mission neighborhood. Pascal and the jazz club he and his associates operate are important cultural treasures in our community. Please offer Pascal Thiam and his family a fair deal loan modification (loan# 498135035-60723 and 90186340-06) so they can rest secure in their home during this holiday season and beyond.

    Sincerely,

    your name

Links: Savanna Action Flyer (4 per page)

For updates and this action alert: http://occupytheauctions.org/savanna

ALERT: Fannie Mae Stop the Evictions of African-American Senior Betty Davis and Disabled Senior Veteran Alfred Richardson

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Fannie Mae is evicting African-American seniors like 70-year-old Betty Davis and 75-year-old disabled veteran Alfred Richardson.

Please take action to stop these immoral evictions–

Call and email Fannie Mae with the following message:

  • Timothy Mayopoulos, CEO, +1 202-752-7144
  • Kristy Williams Fercho, Senior VP Customer Management Western Region, +1 626-396-5100 (ask for Kristy’s voicemail)

Sample message:

To: timothy_mayopoulos@fanniemae.com, philip_laskawy@fanniemae.com, kristy_williams_fercho@fanniemae.com, katrina_jones@fanniemae.com, carlus_k_flowers@fanniemae.com, kelli_parsons@fanniemae.com
Cc: action@occupytheauctions.org
Subject: Stop Evicting African-American Seniors Betty Davis (loan #187240982) and Alfred Richardson (loan #19167165)

Please stop immediately the immoral evictions of African-American seniors Betty Davis (loan #187240982) and Alfred Richardson (loan #19167165) and rescind the foreclosure sales of their homes at 442 Harkness Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94134, sold on December 20, 2011, and 139 Maddux Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94124, sold on September 11, 2012, respectively, so that Bank of America can offer them fair loan modifications.

Sincerely,

(your name)


Fannie Mae CEO Timothy Mayopoulos ready to evict African-American senior Korean War veteran Alfred Richardson.

Links: Occupy Fannie Mae Action    Occupy Senior and Veteran Evictions and Foreclosures (Occupy Anniversary)    Prior Occupy Fannie Mae Action    Betty Davis Profile    Alfred Richardson Profile

For updates on this alert: http://occupytheauctions.org/wordpress/?p=5487

This alert brought to you by the Stop the Auctions and Evictions Campaign
http://www.stopevictions.org and the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) http://www.calorganize.org

ALERT: Demand DMG Assets Stop Eviction of Faulks Family

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Investment firm DMG Asset Management is threatening a San Francisco family with eviction after DMG agreed to postpone the eviction to work with the family on negotiations with Wells Fargo and even though disabled family members can’t find housing elsewhere.

Larry Faulks and his brother — both disabled — as well as their renter want to stay in the home their parents purchased in 1962.

DMG plans to evict Larry on Wednesday, November 7.

Please take action to help the Faulks family–

  1. Call DMG management, their real estate agent, and their attorney with the following message:

    • Daniel Woo, +1 415-706-6170
    • Angela Woo Lee, +1 415-420-8881
    • Gilbert Chung, +1 916-947-8625
    • Marcus Lee, +1 415-999-2022 (real estate agent)
    • Jak Marquez, +1 415-495-8500 x12 (attorney)

     
    Sample message:

    Please stop the eviction of Larry Faulks and his brother — both disabled — as well as their renter. The Faulks family has lived in the family home at 25 Cameo Way in San Francisco for 50 years. Wells Fargo promised in writing not to foreclose on the Faulks during the modification process, but instead sold the property to you. DMG agreed to postpone the eviction to work out a plan to sell the property back to Wells Fargo at the price you paid, so that Wells Fargo can offer the Faulks family a loan modification to remain in their home.

    Please don’t put disabled African-American seniors out onto the streets.

  2. Please mark your calendar for a possible eviction defense at 7:00am on Wednesday, November 7.

For updates and this action alert: http://occupytheauctions.org/wordpress/?p=5636

Links: Larry Faulks Profile    DMG Asset Management Profile    Occupy DMG Home Action    Occupy Wells Fargo Noe Branch    Bay Area Reporter Coverage    Occupy Wells Fargo HQ    Occupy Senior and Veteran Evictions and Foreclosures (Occupy Anniversary)

ALERT: Demand Deutsche Bank Stop Eviction of William Bailes and Caregiver Gigi Ellis

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Update as of October 8, 2012: Deutsche Bank has agreed to postpone the eviction of William Bailes and Gigi Ellis in order to hopefully come to a mutually agreeable solution, so we have postponed the October 9 protest and all phone calls and emails for the action alert.

Deutsche Bank has pursued a protracted battle to evict disabled renter William Bailes and his niece, caregiver, and homeowner Gigi Ellis from their Bernal home in San Francisco. Bill and Gigi want to remain in their home, where Bill’s doctor says he must remain to receive the nearly round-the-clock care he requires for life-threatening illnesses including hepatitis C, interstitial lung disease, and pulmonary fibrosis, which has him on an oxygen tank.

The eviction is scheduled for Wednesday, October 10.

Please take action to help the Bill and Gigi:

1) EMERGENCY RALLY
When: 9:00am on Tuesday, October 9
Where: Deutsche Bank office, 101 California Street at Davis Street, San Francisco (one to two blocks from Embarcadero BART station)

2) Call and email Deutsche Bank with the following message:

* Seth Waugh, CEO, +1 212-250-5646 or main line +1 212-250-2500

* Jeffrey Ruiz, Director, +1 212-250-3667

* Duncan King, Head of Press & Media Relations, +1 212-250-4864

* Randall Naiman, Eviction Attorney for Deutsche Bank, +1 858-535-4808

Sample messsage:

To: seth.waugh@db.com, jeffrey.ruiz@db.com, duncan.king@db.com, info@naimanlaw.com
Cc: action@occupytheauctions.org
Subject: Stop the Eviction of William Bailes and Caregiver Gigi Ellis at 433 Nevada Street in San Francisco

Please stop the eviction of disabled renter William Bailes and his niece, caregiver, and homeowner Gigi Ellis from their home at 433 Nevada Street in San Francisco. Bill and Gigi want to remain in their home, where Bill’s doctor says he must remain to receive the nearly round-the-clock care he requires for life-threatening illnesses including hepatitis C, interstitial lung disease, and pulmonary fibrosis, which has him on an oxygen tank. The eviction is scheduled for Wednesday, October 10.

Gigi Ellis was in negotiations for a loan modification from Washington Mutual (which took over the loan from Long Beach Mortgage and was later acquired by JP Morgan Chase) when Deutsche Bank foreclosed on the home without Gigi’s knowledge. Please stop the eviction and negotiate with Bill and Gigi so that they can obtain a loan modification or have a third party purchase the home so they can remain in their home.

Please don’t put disabled people out on the streets.

3) Please mark your calendars for possible eviction defense on Wednesday, October 10.

For updates and this action alert: http://occupytheauctions.org/wordpress/?p=4873

ALERT: Demand DMG Assets Stop Eviction of Faulks Family

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Update as of October 8, 2012: DMG Assets has agreed to postpone the eviction of the Faulks family for two weeks to try to reach a mutually acceptable settlement, so we have postponed the protest at the DMG office tomorrow, as well as the calls and emails from the action alert.

Update as of October 2, 2012: Mary Ann Serrano and her disabled daughter and DMG Assets “have reached a mutually agreeable solution”. However, the Faulks family wants to stop the eviction and remain in their home, so please come to protest actions and respond to the action alert below.

Investment firm DMG Asset Management is threatening a San Francisco family with eviction even though disabled family members can’t find housing elsewhere.

Larry Faulks and his brother — both disabled — as well as their renter want to stay in the home their parents purchased in 1962. DMG plans to evict them on Wednesday, October 10.

Please take action to help the Faulks family:

1) EMERGENCY RALLY
When: 4:00pm=6:00pm on Tuesday, October 9
Where: Home of DMG Principal Daniel Woo, 566-568 16th Avenue, between Anza and Balboa Streets, San Francisco

2) Call DMG management, their real estate agent, and their attorney with the following message:

* Daniel Woo, 415-298-7298 or 415-706-6170

* Angela Woo Lee, 415-420-8881

* Gilbert Chung, 916-947-8625

* Marcus Lee, +1 415-999-2022 (real estate agent)

* Jak Marquez, 415-495-8500 x12 (attorney)

Sample message:

Please stop the eviction of Larry Faulks and his brother — both disabled — as well as their renter. The Faulks family has lived in the family home at 25 Cameo Way in San Francisco for 50 years. Wells Fargo promised in writing not to foreclose on the Faulks during the modification process, but instead sold the property to you. Please sell the property back to Wells Fargo at the price you paid, so that Wells Fargo can offer the Faulks family a loan modification to remain in their home.

Please don’t put disabled people or seniors out onto the streets.

3) Please mark your calendar for a possible eviction defense at 7:00am on Wednesday, October 10.

For updates and this action alert: http://occupytheauctions.org/wordpress/?p=4769

Links: Profile

ALERT: Demand PennyMac Stop Eviction of Alice Smith

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Update as of October 2: PennyMac is in negotiations with Alice Smith and has postponed the eviction of her and her five foster children for two weeks until October 17, so please hold off on any further calls and emails for now.

Alice Smith is an incredible asset to our community. As a consistent caregiver for five special needs children, she has created a supportive and welcoming home.

Now she faces eviction by Citigroup and PennyMac, with an eviction scheduled for Wednesday, October 3 (postponed).

Due to foster care funding cuts, retirement from a job outside the home, and a Vietnam veteran husband who cut off all contact and refused support due to PTSD, Alice’s income declined for awhile and she wasn’t able to make all her mortgage payments. However, she hung in there and provided consistent care for her foster children even during a period of financial trials and tribulations.

Since that time, her income has recovered so that she can afford a fair deal loan modification.

Let’s help her get PennyMac to rescind eviction proceedings so Alice can obtain that fair deal loan modification from CitiMortgage and make payments to remain in her home with her five foster children.

Please take action to help Alice Smith and her five foster children stay in their home–

1) Call and email PennyMac with the following message:

* Stanford Kurland, Chairman and CEO, +1 818-224-7442 (then type 1 for directory, then first three letters of last name, i.e. 587, then 1 to confirm)
* David Spector, Chief Investment Officer, +1 818-224-7442 (then type 1 for directory, then first three letters of last name, i.e. 773, then 1 to confirm)
* Christopher Oltmann, Director of Investor Relations, +1 818-746-2046 (leave voicemail) or +1 818-224-7028

Sample Email:
To: stanford.kurland@pnmac.com, david.spector@pnmac.com, chris.oltmann@pnmac.com, InvestorRelations@pnmac.com, denise.bounce@pnmac.com
Cc: action@occupytheauctions.org
Subject: Stop the Eviction of Alice Smith and Her Five Foster Children

Please stop the eviction of Alice Smith of 15 Le Conte Circle in San Francisco scheduled for Wednesday, October 3. She is a senior and an incredible asset to our community as a foster caregiver for five special needs foster children. Although she got behind on mortgage payments to CitiMortgage (loan #1000031156) when reductions in foster care reimbursements and other circumstances lowered her income, her income has recovered and she can afford to make payments on a fair mortgage loan. Please do the right thing and work with her to 1) stop Alice Smith’s eviction and 2) offer her (or make it possible for Citibank offer her) a fair, affordable loan modification.

Sincerely,

[your name]


(Note: Faces of the children cannot be shown because they are wards of the state.)

For updates and this action alert: http://occupytheauctions.org/wordpress/?p=4717

ALERT: Demand Chase Stop Auction of Haddow Home

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Update as of October 2: We got Chase to postpone Ian Haddow’s foreclosure auction until November 2, 2012, so please hold off on calls and emails for now. Thanks to everyone who showed up at this morning’s protest at the Chase branch in the Mission neighborhood.

JP Morgan Chase is planning to sell Ian Haddow’s home at a foreclosure auction on October 2, 2012. (postponed)

Please take action to help Ian Haddow:

1) 9:00am on Tuesday, October 2, come protest at the Chase bank branch at 2500 Mission St at 21st Street, San Francisco.

2) 1:45pm on Tuesday, October 2, come protest at the foreclosure auction at City Hall, 400 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco (auction may start promptly at 2pm).

Call and email Chase with the following message:

* Jamie Dimon, CEO, +1 212-270-1111

* Peter Barker, California Chair, +1 888-342-6441

Sample email:

To: Jamie.Dimon@chase.com, executive.office@chase.com, peter.barker@chase.com
Cc: action@occupytheauctions.org
Subject: Stop Auction of Haddow Home (Loan #3014236040)

Please postpone the foreclosure auction of offer Ian Haddow of 536 Laidley Street in San Francisco (loan #3014236040) and offer him a fair deal loan modification. Ian Haddow has been trying to recover $55,000 owed to him by troublesome tenants and, since that has been difficult, has sought additional sources of income to quality for a loan modification. Please work out a fair deal with him so he can make payments and stay in his home.

Sincerely,

[your name]

For updates and this action alert: http://occupytheauctions.org/wordpress/?p=4774

Links: Media Coverage

Parkview HOA Board and Sheila McInnis Reach Agreement

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Update as of September 20, 2012: Under the agreement between Sheila McInnis and the Parkview HOA Board, Sheila is actively pursuing her loan modification with Wells Fargo and reporting to the Board on the progress of her application. Wells Fargo has indicated to Sheila that they will include the past due HOA dues and legal fees she owes in the modification, if it is approved. The HOA Board agreed to refrain from re-calendering her eviction until Wells Fargo decides on her loan modification request.

Sheila says she’s speaking weekly with her Wells Fargo contact and has made her weekly reports to the Board. She’s fixing her extra room for a tenant and this weekend will post a Craigslist ad to find a housemate. Sheila also says her daughter has agreed to help by putting her name on the modification. The Board is informing other homeowners of the progress toward a resolution of Sheila’s debt to the homeowner’s association.

Special thanks to everyone who has helped toward this resolution: Ross, Elaine, Susan, Deborah and Kat with Occupy Bernal, Occupy Noe, and ACCE; Jane with the Parkview HOA Board; and Dadi at Parkview Homes.

BACKGROUND:

Sheila lived in Parkview for more than 18 years when she was diagnosed with a rare and near-fatal heart disease that kept her from working for approximately 6 months. She fell behind on her mortgage and HOA payments and now owes roughly $20,000 in dues and legal fees. Relations between Sheila and the Board have been strained by the situation. Thanks to the willingness of all parties to listen to one another and give it another try, Sheila is still in her home and is working to increase her income and resolve her situation with Wells Fargo.

For updates and this alert: http://occupytheauctions.org/wordpress/?p=4235

Brought to you by Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), Occupy Bernal, Occupy Noe, and Occupy the Auctions and Evictions Campaign.