FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Friday January 11th, 2013 @ 4:30 PM
Contact: Malcolm Chu – 413-342-1804
FNMA calls off eviction of Clark family following public announcement of eviction blockade; Phone calls from residents and elected officials.Â
We are pleased to announce that Fannie Mae informed the Clark family today that they would be putting off the eviction for 30 days to work on a potential buyback deal through Boston Community Capital! This is a huge victory due to the dedication of the whole movement fighting back against evictions and foreclosures!.
Since receiving the 48-Hour Move Out Notice on Tuesday, countless Springfield Bank Tenant Association (SBTA) members and allies have been phone-banking Fannie Mae’s offices; we’ve put out a public announcement of our eviction blockade efforts to sit-down, risk arrest and defend the Clark family home; and we called on our elected officials to stand with the Clark Family and the SBTA by calling Fannie Mae and asking them to stop the eviction and NEGOTIATE. Senator John Kerry, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Richards Neal’s offices all got on the phones over the past couple of days. As did Ward 2 City Councilor Mike Fenton. We thank all of them for their support.
Attorney’s from Community Legal Aid also supported the family, moving quickly to file an emergency motion to vacate the judgement and stay the eviction. After bringing the motion forward FNMA informed the family that they had planned to postpone the eviction proceedings for 30 days.
Just 3 months after our successful eviction blockade with the Mendez family, Fannie Mae backed down just at the prospect of our resistance - but we will never back down! We’re committed to fighting back against all no-fault and unnecessary evictions! For now our eviction blockade is off, but if needed we’ll be right in front of 114 Corona St to block this eviction.
The Clark family will continue to attempt to negotiate with FNMA, but hundreds of families continue to be evicted by Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac after foreclosure nationwide. Check out www.SpringfieldNoOneLeaves.org for frequent updates on the Bank Tenant Movement and to find out how you can get involved in the ongoing movement to fight for housing for people before profit and fight back against the banks!
