Today, on a cold blustery day, residents and supporters gathered at 32-34 Parallel Street in Springfield, Massachusetts to hold a peaceful vigil in solidarity with tenants Marisa Brown 
and Scheana McMillan and their families. Singing “We Shall Not Be Moved” and wielding signs like “Great Tenants Live Here” and “Don’t Buy To Evict!” supporters gathered to send a clear and urgent message to any potential buyer: Don’t Buy this home if your business plan is to evict these tenants!”
Ms Brown and ms. McMillan who have lived in their home for 7 and 16 years respectively, are responsible, rent-paying tenants who want to be able to keep their home. They are active members of the Springfield Bank Tenant Association. The auction, which had been scheduled for 2pm, was postponed until April 6th, 2011.
Gathering today also made clear that the growing movement to resist bank caused foreclosures and evictions is one that includes both homeowners AND tenants!
The foreclosure crisis that was created and caused by the actions of the big banks are impacting all of us! The big banks continue to put their profit and their pockets in front of people and our communities and each and every citizen is affected by their greed and irresponsibility. Banks refuse to work with homeowners and give real meaningful loan modifications, and keep tenants and residents in the dark before moving to push residents out of their homes as a result of foreclosure.
Now is the time to stand together as tenants and homeowners to demand an end to foreclosures and evictions that are destroying our communities! As Ms. Brown made clear, we need to emphasize the “unity” in “community” and stand up and fight back together.
Get involved in the campaign by volunteering to canvass properties that are in foreclosure! Each saturday volunteers head out door-to-door to educate residents in foreclosed homes about their rights and invite folks to get involved in the growing movement by attending our weekly organizing meeting every Tuesday Evening from 6-8PM.
