Take Back the Land
Anti-Eviction Campaign & Survivors Village on KPFK Radio
Listen to the entire broadcast here:
http://archive.kpfk.org/parchive/mp3/kpfk_100720_190030beautifulstruggle.MP3
Endorse the May 2010 Month of Action
 |
ENDORSE THE MAY 2010 MONTH OF ACTION HERE
In this time of unprecedented crisis, when millions of families are losing their homes and banks are being bailed out, we must protect people by elevating housing to the level of a human right.
We invite all organizations and people of good conscience to join the US Human Rights Network in building a Take Back the Land Movement.
ENDORSE THE MAY 2010 MONTH OF ACTION HERE
What is the Take Back the Land Movement • Join the Movement NOW!
ONE DC Liberates Land
Metro DC police plan to evict community from tent city on Monday July 12
 |
| From ONE DC Liberates Parcel 42 |
 |
| From ONE DC Liberates Parcel 42 |
 |
| From ONE DC Liberates Parcel 42 |
 |
| From ONE DC Liberates Parcel 42 |
ONE DC "liberated" a vacant lot in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, DC on the afternoon of Saturday, July 10, 2010. The contentious Parcel 42, upon which Mayor Adrian Fenty promised to build affordable housing only to break the promise and sell to developers, was reclaimed by ONE DC, local residents and supporters. ONE DC and supporters are building a tent city on the land to house people. Police said they will "allow" protesters to remain "until Monday."
After starting the day with their annual block party, ONE DC upped the ante in the Shaw neighborhood, near Howard University, by marching approximately 200 people over to the corner of 7th and S Streets NW, entering Parcel 42 and building a tent city.
After denouncing Mayor Fenty for going against his promise, organizer Rosemary Ndubuizu led the crowd from the block party to the lot as member Franklin Brooks led the chants.
Following a few speeches and some celebration, DC police arrived with the special ops unit. Executive Director and police liaison Dominic Moulden asserted the right to engage in civil disobedience and won a stay from police action. The officer in charge stated that if people wanted to remain on the lot "that is fine- until Monday."
ONE DC is demanding Parcel 42 is used to build "truly affordable" housing- intended for families making under $50,000 and under $25,000 per year- in a community where such housing is badly needed. If Mayor Fenty and other officials are unwilling to build it, they argue, then the community must create such housing itself.
In the short term, ONE DC is demanding a meeting with Fenty to secure his commitment to build affordable housing on the lot.
ONE DC is urging supporters to go to Parcel 42- on the corner of 7th St. and NW S St.- Monday morning, even if you can only stay a short time, to show support and demand that police refrain from arresting the people who are trying to provide housing for those in need.
ONE DC is an autonomous organization which is affiliated with the Take Back the Land- Movement, a network of organizations fighting for the human right to housing.
Ashaundra Young Arrest Video
Video of arrest seems to contradict sworn police statement
 |
| Ashaunra Young being arrested. Photo courtesy of Michael Marko |
Ashaundra Young was arrested during a Take Back the Land- Miami eviction defense of her apartment complex on June 15, 2010. JP Morgan-Chase subsidiary ECP Properties moved to evict every renter in the 820 & 830 NW 70th St. apartments and the residents fought back by defending their homes against the evictions. Take Back the Land- Miami member Max Rameau was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor refusal to obey a lawful order, while resident Ashaundra was charged with incitement to riot and spent the night in jail.
SEE COVERAGE OF THE ACTION, INCLUDING VIDEO AND PICTURES HERE
The charge is a FELONY and if convicted, Ashaundra will lose her right to vote. This was Ashaundra's first arrest and now, on all future job applications, she must report that she was arrested and charged with a FELONY.
READ THE FULL ARREST REPORT HERE
Here is the video of the felony incitement to riot:
Need to see that again? I'll just wait here...
Ashaundra is clearly seen moving a young man AWAY from the apartment in which an eviction is taking place, which, by most definitions, is the exact OPPOSITE of inciting a riot. She was inciting someone to not get arrested for interfering with an eviction.
The video tape seems to contradict the police version of events, at least as represented in the sworn statement known as the arrest form.
If convicted of this felony, Ashaundra will lose her right to vote in the state of Florida.
This is clearly an attempt to intimidate residents and impacted people from participating in protests and actions designed to challenge the "right" of banks to evict families and board up homes for no good reason. Shame on JP Morgan-Chase. Shame on the city of Miami Police.
Take Back the Land considers Ashaundra Young is the victim of a political arrest and is, therefore, a political defendant. The Take Back the Land Movement, with support from the US Human Rights Network (USHRNetwork.org) and the Center for Constitutional Rights )CCRJustice.org), is providing Ashaundra with an attorney, Bernadette Armand, esq.
GO TO TAKEBACKTHELAND.ORG FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT CAMPAIGN
We demand the State Attorney drop all charges against Ashaundra Young. We urge you to email and call Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle and demand she drop the charges against Ashaundra Young immediately.
email: katherinefernandezrundle@miamisao.com
phone:305-547-0100
Take Back the Land- Miami Members Arrested in Eviction Defense
Max Rameau and Ashaunte Young arrested defending home from eviction
| ||
| ||
| ||
 | ||
| View a Photo slide show of the action |
Florida Independent News Story
View Photo Slideshow of action (courtesy of Michael Marko)
Two members of Take Back the Land- Miami were arrested on Tuesday, June 15th, during an action to defend a family from eviction. Max Rameau and Ashaundra Young were arrested and charged with disobeying a lawful order and starting a riot, respectively, when they refused to move so that the Miami-Dade County Sheriff could execute the eviction of a low income family and her children.
The action is part of a larger defense of two apartment complexes foreclosed upon by JP Morgan-Chase, through its wholly owned subsidiary, ECP Properties of Texas, Inc. ECP Properties is the toxic asset subsidiary of JP Morgan-Chase and formerly of Washington Mutual Bank.
Take Back the Land- Miami, the residents of 820 and 830 NW 70th St., Miami, FL and their neighbors, committed to defending the home from eviction. The city of Miami arrived with 6 police cars, at least one of which remained on site from 8:00am until almost 2:00pm. The Miami-Dade County Sheriff came with the eviction officer, who called for even more backup after seeing the protesters at the complex. The eviction Sheriff remained on site from approximately 10:30am until almost 2:00pm.
In spite of the arrests, residents and neighbors considered the action a success and vowed to defend the other units from eviction.
The residents identified three (3) demands: 1). Stop the Evictions; 2). Allow residents to remain; and 3) elevate housing to the level of a human right through public policy changes.
After foreclosing on the property in September 2009, JP Morgan-Chase immediately began harassing tenants into leaving the apartment complex. After the eviction, more than half of the 20 apartments are vacant and boarded up and each remaining unit is awaiting eviction.
Worse still, the tenants did not take out mortgages they could not afford- they were paying their rent on time. ECP Properties then stopped making repairs in the building and stopped crediting tenants with rent payments. Conditions worsened quickly and some tenants left on their own, while others stopped paying rent in protest.
According to the New York Times, JP Morgan-Chase has a policy of evicting tenants from foreclosed rental units instead of renting to them. Consequently, low income renters feel the brunt of the foreclosure crisis.
In the end, the laws which favor corporate profits over human needs are immoral and must be directly challenged.
Take Back the Land- Miami is part of the Take Back the Land Movement, a national network of local organizations engaged in the struggle to elevate housing to the level of a human right and gain community control over land. The Take Back the Land Movement is coordinated by the US Human Rights Network (USHRNetwork.org). Get more information at Takebacktheland.org
Sharon Jasper Arrested on Trumped up Charges
Sharon participated in protest against forced removal of New Orleans residents
 |
| From May 28 |
UPDATE: Sharon Jasper was released at approximately 2:45pm CST. She was charged with misdemeanor battery. Supporters and lawyers are on the scene and off site working on this case.
Sharon Jasper, member of Survivors Village and MayDay New Orleans, was arrested by the New Orleans police, who brought the SWAT team to apprehend this elder Black woman from her home.
Ms. Sharon is being charged with assaulting a rental agent during an action organized by Survivors Village and MayDay New Orleans as part of the Take Back the Land Movement May 2010 Month of Action. On Friday, May 28th, a group entered the Columbia Parc rental office and held a sit-in demanding the right of former St. Bernard Housing Project residents to return to their homes.
The Columbia Parc development replaced the St. Bernard Housing Project after the City of New Orleans voted to demolish the 1,500 units of public housing and replace them with market housing. The action was part of the Right to Return Weekend in New Orleans.
Police say Ms. Sharon assaulted a Columbia Parc rental agent during her entrance into the building. The rental agent did not complain about an assault and continued to work in the office the entire time of the occupation, including when police arrived. While there, police made no mention of an assault when explaining to the group why they should end their protest.
The truth is that the City of New Orleans did not arrest Sharon Jackson for assault, they arrested her because she dared to tell that truth and demand that public housing residents of New Orleans have the right to return to their homes. The arrest represents a clear effort by the City of New Orleans to represent the interests of the developers of the Columbia Parc while actively working against the former residents of New Orleans.
Survivors Village organizer Endesha Juakali and others are at the jail seeking Ms. Sharon's release. The Take Back the Land Movement has arranged for legal assistance for Sharon Jackson through the Center for Constitutional Rights in New York city and local New Orleans Attorneys.
The Take Back the Land Movement condemns this political motivated use of the public police in order to protect private developers from protests.
Survivors Village is protesting in front of Columbia Parc on Monday, June 7, at 12:00noon. Columbia Parc is on the 3600 block of St. Bernard Ave. in New Orleans.
Survivors Village is asking supporters to call Columbia Parc and demand 1). drop all charges against Sharon Jasper and 2). allow for the unconditional return of former St. Bernard Housing residents. Columbia Parc: (504) 284-4769, columbiaparc.com.
Video of Sharon Jasper's arrest, as well as updates on her legal situation, can be found by visiting Takebacktheland.org. Videos of the arrest are expected to be up on June 4.
Right to Return Day 3: Housing Liberation
Survivors Village liberates a home
 |
 |
 |
05/30/2010, NEW ORLEANS, LA- As part of the Right to Return Weekend, Endesha Juakali led the Survivors Village organization to liberate a Road Home property in the St. Bernard community. The housing liberation capped a three day weekend of activities designed to highlight the right of former New Orleans residents to return to their homes after Hurricane Katrina.
While there are over 20,000 people in New Orleans who remain homeless, there are over 60,000 vacant abandoned homes in the area.
The Road Home is a federal post-Katrina program which provided federal support for homeowners, but not for renters. Prior to Katrina, New Orleans was comprised of 70% renters.
The new resident met neighbors and promised to upkeep the home and be a good neighbor.
The Right of Return Weekend was organized in conjunction with the May month of actions called by Take Back the Land Movement (TBLM). TBLM is a network of autonomous organizations affiliated with the US Human Rights Network (USHRN) dedicated to realizing the human right to adequate housing and community control over land.
For more information about Survivors Village, visit communitiesrising.wordpress.com. For more information about the Take Back the Land Movement visit www.takebacktheland.org. For more information on the US Human Rights Network visit www.ushrnetwork.org.
Right to Return Day 2: Tent City
Survivors Village erects a tent city in New Orleans
05/30/2010, NEW ORLEANS, LA- Today former St. Bernard residents, supporters and Survivors Village are erecting a tent city on public land outside of where the St. Bernard Housing Development used to be. The Freedom Encampment reaffirms the right of community control over their the land and asserts people’s fundamental human rights to unconditional right of return.
VIEW THE TENT CITY PHOTO GALLERY
With over 1 out 4 New Orleanians still displaced from hurricane Katrina, all but one public housing development demolished, and over 20,000 people homeless, local housing advocacy groups are hosting a Right of Return Weekend, to raise awareness that Housing IS a Human Right.
The Right to Return Weekend challenges the forced removal of all public housing residents following Hurricane Katrina and the discriminatory policies of the government to permanently displace low-income Black communities from the “new” New Orleans. Columbia Parc and HANO claim that 130 of the new units will be affordable housing units. However, HANO officials are now on record stating that anyone who claimed that former housing residents would be able to return “was lying.”
“It is inexcusable to have this much vacant land and property in the hands of banks and the city government during this ongoing housing crisis. People have the right to live in and develop land and buildings that they can live in ” says Stephanie Mingo of Survivors Village
The Right to Return Weekend will continue Sunday, May 30th with an action to end the escalating homeless crisis in New Orleans. The action will commence at 10:00am on the 3800 block of St. Bernard Ave.
Survivors Village is affiliated with the Take Back the Land Movement, and the Right of Return Weekend is part of the May month of actions called by Take Back the Land Movement (TBLM). TBLM is a network of autonomous organizations affiliated with the US Human Rights Network (USHRN) dedicated to realizing the human right to adequate housing and community control over land.
For more information about Survivors Village, visit communitiesrising.wordpress.com. For more information about the Take Back the Land Movement visit www.takebacktheland.org. For more information on the US Human Rights Network visit www.ushrnetwork.org.
Return to takebacktheland.org for updates on this developing story.
SURVIVORS VILLAGE TAKE-OVER!
Action part of Right to Return Weekend demanding unconditional return for those diplaced after Katrina
 |
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY, INCLUDING PICTURES AND VIDEO
At approximately 1:30pm, Survivors Village stormed and sat in at the offices of the Columbia Village apartments today, May 28, 2010. About 50 members of the organization temporarily took over the administrative offices of the apartment complex which was built to replace St. Bernard's public housing. The public housing complex was demolished by the city of New Orleans, with the blessings of the federal government, after Hurricane Katrina.
Each of the 1,500 units were destroyed and it's residents forcibly removed and do not have an opportunity to return. The Columbia Village sells for market rate, far above what public housing residents can afford.
Survivor's Village is asserting the unconditional right of all former residents to return to their homes. This action is part of the Right to Return Weekend.
Right to Return Weekend continues on Saturday, May 29th with a protest against land grabs and on Sunday, May 30th to demand an end to homelessness. Both action begin at 9:00am on the 3800 block of St. Bernard Ave. in St. Bernard Parish.
Survivor's Village is an autonomous organization affiliated with the Take Back the Land Movement (TBLM). TBLM is a network of local organizations dedicated to demanding people's fundamental human right to housing housing and community control over land.
For more information about Survivors Village, visit communitiesrising.wordpress.com. For more information about the Take Back the Land Movement visit takebacktheland.org.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY, INCLUDING PICTURES AND VIDEO
Take Back the Land- Madison Liberates Another Home
Southside liberation is second for May 2010 Month of Action
LATEST TAKE BACK THE LAND- MADISON MEDIA UPDATES
Take Back the Land- Madison in Wisconsin liberated its second home in May, this one on Madison's Southside.
TBL-Madison is making so many waves that local media are drumming up stories about how "great" the local affordable housing efforts are going. Best of all, some neighbors are recognizing the value of TBL-Madison's work in protecting their own neighborhood. Watch below:
STONY RIDGE 7 ARE FREE
Keith Sadler & Co
 |
| Photos from embedded photographer at the Sentinel Tribune |
 |
| Photos from embedded photographer at the Sentinel Tribune |
 |
| Photos from embedded photographer at the Sentinel Tribune |
DONATE TO THE STONY RIDGE 7 LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
More News on the Toledo Foreclosure Defense League and the Stony Ridge 7
The Stony Ridge 7 are out of jail and free.
After spending 5 days sealed in a foreclosed home in order to resist eviction, Keith Sadler and other members of the Toledo Foreclosure Defense League (TFDL) were raided by the Wood County SWAT team. The team was unable to get through the front door and resorted to entering through a bedroom window.
Those arrested include Sadler, Connie Smithengale, 20; Bryer Baumgartner, 19; Nicholas Botek, 23; Jessica Angelov, 20; Daniel Orange, 25; and Johnathan Kutsch, 22. All were charged with criminal trespass and impeding police business, both misdemeanors, and released.
Sadler is resting at an undisclosed location and will make public statements on Monday or so. Sadler spoke to members of Take Back the Land on Friday afternoon and was in good spirits.
The TFLD made national news with the defense of the Sadler home and inspired families from across the country to contemplate similar acts of defense and resistance. Letters of support poured in from families, individuals and organizations, such as the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign (economichumanrights.org)a key part of the growing movement to elevate housing to the level of a human right.
The Stony Ridge 7 are represented by local attorney Terry Lodge and legal support for the TFDL and other Take Back the Land affiliated organizations is being provided by the Center for Constitutional Rights (ccrjustice.org).
The TFDL is an autonomous organization which is also a part of the Take Back the Land Movement. The action is part of the May 2010 National Month of Action to demand the human right to housing, called for by the Take Back the Land Movement (takebacktheland.org) in conjunction with the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC- economichumanrights.org). The Take Back the Land Movement is supported by the US Human Rights Network (USHRNetwork.org). The Actions are expected in at least twelve (12) US cities and include housing takeovers and the defense of families facing eviction.
FUREE Crashes Sheraton Opening & Makes New York Times
Demands Housing Not Hotels
 |
| FUREE Members Protest (courtesy Brownstowner.com) |
READ THE NY TIME STORY
READ THE BROWNSTONER.COM STORY
“What we’re saying is, in the middle of an affordable housing crisis, stop bailing out hotels and major development and start focusing on low-income and working-class families in this country.” - FUREE executive director Valery Jean in the New York Times.
Chanting “Housing, not Hotels,” members of Families United for Racial and Economic Equality (FUREE) crashed the fancy grand opening of the Sheraton Hotel Brooklyn on Thursday, May 20. The 321 room hotel was feted with a food, elected officials and media, but not many local residents.
“If the city of New York has money to subsidize wealthy corporation like Sheraton to build luxury hotel rooms during a recession, they should have money to build housing that is affordable to residents of Brooklyn,” argued Diana Smith, Board Secretary of FUREE. Members and other residents continued the protest even after the Sheraton called in the police. The action is part of FUREE’s “Take Back our CommUNITY” campaign for community control over land and housing.
The Sheraton Hotel is located in the historic Downtown Brooklyn neighborhood, just off the Fulton Mall, a community devastated by the closing of nearly hundreds of mom and pop businesses and skyrocketing rental prices. The subsidized private venture is opening during a recession when thousands of additional new hotel rooms are coming online in Brooklyn, threatening to glut the market and squander the public investment.
The brand new hotel stands directly across the street from a home used in the 1800s as a stop on the Underground Railroad, where blacks escaping slavery hid and rested on their way to freedom. Community organizations, including FUREE, have been attempting for years to secure historic designation at the location. While the city refused the designation, it did approve three brand new hotels on the same block. No affordable housing is scheduled to be built on the same block.
FUREE contends that this, and similar large-scale projects, threaten the social and economic fabric, history and identity of the low-income communities of color in which they are built. Mayor Bloomberg’s 2004 Downtown Brooklyn Plan gives millions of dollars of public subsidies to developments which will permanently transform- and possibly eliminate- low-income communities.
Dignitaries at the ribbon cutting included Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Downtown Brooklyn Partnership president Joe Chan, among others. FUREE members, however, were not as happy as the Sheraton Hotel corporation to see the dignitaries.
“Joe Chan and other politicians are taking buildings that people live in, destroying them and making big condos and hotels that no one can afford,” complained 19 year old FUREE youth leader and Brooklyn resident Elvin Paulino. “We are mad, so we are recruiting new members and are going to take down these politicians and developers with whatever we can.”
Founded in 2001, FUREE is a Brooklyn-based, membership led multi-racial organization of more than 500 families that organizes low-income and working families to promote equality, improve economic conditions, and build collective power to win systemic changes at the local, state and national level. Primarily led by women of color with an emphasis on community and family, FUREE uses direct action, leadership development, community organizing, and political education to achieve our vision and goals.
FUREE will host its annual convention on Saturday, May 22 at PS 67, located at 51 Edwards St. (between Myrtle Ave. & Tillary St.) in Brooklyn beginning at 12 noon. For more information, visit to FUREE.org, call 718-852-2960 or email info@furee.org.
FUREE is an autonomous organization which is also a part of the Take Back the Land Movement. The action is part of the May 2010 National Month of Action to demand the human right to housing, called for by the Take Back the Land Movement (takebacktheland.org) in conjunction with the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC- economichumanrights.org). The Take Back the Land Movement is supported by the US Human Rights Network (USHRNetwork.org). The Actions are expected in at least twelve (12) US cities and include housing takeovers and the defense of families facing eviction.
READ THE NY TIME STORY
READ THE BROWNSTONER.COM STORY
Right 2 Survive Takes Lot & Builds Tent City
First Liberation of the Take Back the Land May 2010 Month of Action
Right 2 Survive (r2s), an organization led by un-housed community members and their allies, honored May Day (May 1) in historic fashion by seizing control over a vacant lot in front of the long vacant Washington High School, on the corner of SE 12th Ave. and Stark in SE Portland, and building a tent city to shelter the un-housed.
R2S fed the crowd of about 100, provided clothing and engaged the un-housed community in workshops and discussions. The event and camp appeared well organized, with about a dozen tents for the un-housed and supporters.
"This is a celebration because we are taking our rights back," exclaimed Julie McCurdy, a member of R2S. "What we're doing is coming up with solutions tailored for our community. We are tired of waiting for city hall to come up with revised plans and rehashed ordinances that do not meet the needs of un-housed Portlanders."
The civil disobedience is a direct challenge to Portland's no camping laws, which, effectively, criminalize the act of sleeping while homeless. R2S members are scheduled to discuss next steps and inform the public as the un-housed make their decisions.
Below is a video of the action:
R2S is a collection of homeless people, formerly homeless, and their allies, determined to assert and strengthen everyone's rights to survival, to shelter, to safety, and to self-support. The R2S blog is located at right2survive.wordpress.com
R2S is an autonomous organization which is also a part of the Take Back the Land Movement. The action is part of the May 2010 National Month of Action to demand the human right to housing, called for by the Take Back the Land Movement (takebacktheland.org) in conjunction with the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC- economichumanrights.org), and organization with a long history of housing takeovers. Actions are expected in at least twelve (12) US cities and include housing takeovers and the defense of families facing eviction.
San Fran Homes Not Jails Liberates Home
San Francisco Chronicle covers Easter day liberation in Mission District
 |
A group of homeless people and housing activists took over a privately owned Mission District duplex on Sunday in what served as the climax of a protest designed to promote use of San Francisco's vacant buildings as shelters for the needy.
But the owner of the property - who was targeted over his eviction of a tenant - said the demonstration was nothing more than breaking and entering.
"It's not actually vacant. I use it for my own personal uses," Ara Tehlirian of Daly City said in an interview, adding that he was in contact with the San Francisco Police Department. "I know nothing other than my property was apparently broken into."
The takeover epitomized the tensions between property owners and tenant activists that have flared for decades in the city, and sometimes tip into outright hostilities near the peaks and troughs of the market cycle.
This time, more than fifty people marched in the rain through the Mission District, hoisting picket signs that read "House keys not handcuffs" and chanting "Whose city? Our city." The action was organized by Homes Not Jails, a 20-year-old group affiliated with the San Francisco Tenants Union.
May 2010 Month of Action
 |
| The Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign defends a family from eviction from public housing. |
The housing bust and faulty government policies have immersed the United States in a full blown economic and housing crisis. The cruel irony of this crisis, and what makes it so profoundly immoral, is that the commodity at its root- housing- is not at all in scarcity. To the contrary, sufficient vacant housing stocks exist to accommodate virtually everyone in need, including families forced into overcrowded and substandard conditions as well as the homeless.
In the face of this severe economic crisis, people are rising up. They rail against the bailouts and bonuses, protest the lack of lending, rebel against unfair credit card rate hikes and, most dramatically, fight back against losing their homes.
The Take Back the Land Movement is calling for a May 2010 National Month of Action to assert the fundamental human right to housing and community control over land. Participating organizations, communities and families are asserting this right in two ways: by “liberating” government, foreclosed and warehoused homes, making them available for families with nowhere else to live, and by protecting families, our neighbors, from foreclosure related evictions from houses, apartments and condos as well as income related evictions from public housing.