Candlelight Vigil with the Dunwell family to demand that Fannie Mae Accept Their Rent and Let Them Stay! Protest Outside Housing Ct. Thursday

Posted on April 25, 2011 by SNOL

4/23/11: Below is a 7.5 minute video of the Dunwell Family Vigil. To see the longer (23 min) version click here.

This past Saturday evening, April 23rd, the Springfield No One Leaves Coalition and Springfield Bank Tenant Association called for a community vigil with the Dunwell family. What an incredible evening it was!

Led by the strength and power of the Dunwell family, about 75-80 friends, neighbors, allies, community and union members, gathered together for an powerful evening of unity, strength, reflection and determination to fight back against the no-fault eviction of David, Yanick and their three daughters by Fannie Mae.

(Video of the vigil is above — thanks to volunteer Joe Oliverio for putting it together)

The vigil began with David and Yanick’s two youngest daughters leading the community through This Little Light of Mine. David and his oldest daughter, Kalimah, addressed the crowd next and Kalimah made clear that it is ridiculous and selfish for the bank to “kick us out on the street even though my family is willing to pay!” Friends and Bank Tenant Association Leaders also addressed the crowd.

Amidst some of our favorite chants like “Wall Street Banks, You can’t hide, we can see your greedy side” and “Fannie Mae, What do you say? Take their money and let them stay!”, and united by the strength of our community and light of our candles, we made clear that we hope Fannie Mae will work with the Dunwell family, but that if they continue with this eviction, we will be prepared to block this eviction!

The vigil closed with the Dunwell’s daughters leading the song “Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me around” and the community breaking bread together with a post-vigil potluck.

Up next we plan to take our community power and determination to the court! Join us this coming Thursday for:

March and Protest at Housing Court
Thursday April 28th — gather at Court Sq. in downtown Springfield at 8 AM

The Dunwell’s are scheduled for an eviction hearing on Thursday. They have filed a motion for discovery asking Fannie Mae to prove that they have the proper chain of title. Fannie Mae has yet to turn over that discovery. We plan to gather at court square and then march to the front of the courthouse to demand that Fannie Mae stop this no-fault eviction and keep the Dunwell Family in their home! Those who can will then head into the courthouse in solidarity with the Dunwell family!

Thank you to all of you who came out. We will continue to update on the Dunwell family struggle and other Bank Tenant members fights against post-foreclosure no-fault evictions, as well as other events of the Springfield No One Leaves Coalition and Bank Tenant Association.

Peace and Respect

About SNOL

Springfield No One Leaves is a member-led community organization dedicated to organizing families most affected by the economic & foreclosure crisis. We organize against displacement and eviction and to defend our homes and our communities. Springfield Nadie Se Mude es una organización comunitaria dirigida por nuestros miembros y dedicada a organizar residentes más afectados por la crisis económica y de ejecuciones hipotecarias. Organizamos contra desplazamiento y desalojo y para defender nuestros hogares y nuestras comunidades.
This entry was posted in Video. Bookmark the permalink.

2 Responses to Candlelight Vigil with the Dunwell family to demand that Fannie Mae Accept Their Rent and Let Them Stay! Protest Outside Housing Ct. Thursday

  1. Scotty Simpson says:
    July 7, 2011 at 5:31 pm

    Did Fannie Mae ever show the chain of title?

    • Malcolm says:
      August 4, 2011 at 11:05 am

      Mr. Simpson,

      FNMA has still yet to show the note. We are continuing to track the legal eviction case in court and build support with Dunwell family and other family’s as well as prepare for further community action.

      Thank you for your continued interest and commitment.

      Peace and Much respect
      Springfield No One Leaves

Comments are closed.