Rosemary Williams

Latest (8/20): Anti-foreclosure activists crowd mayor's office; Rybak hides, doesn't support foreclosure moratorium.  "Call 311," says an aide.

Talks broke down between Rosemary Williams and the companies preventing her from owning her home, organizers revealed Tuesday at 3138 Clinton Ave.  But plans were also announced about how the eviction resistance will continue.

The offer from GMAC and Aurora Loan Services - two of the plethora of companies in the picture (a hard-to-follow flowchart was handed out on Tuesday) - was for Williams to rent the home, reportedly at $850 a month, for a mere 12-month period with no option to buy and no guarantees against a future rent increase. Without the deed to the property that she says she's paid for "a million times over," Williams considers the deal unacceptable.  Cheri Honkala called it "really not an offer."  As such, although fears of a raid don't seem to be on people's minds, a 24-hour presence at the home is still being maintained.

In response to the stalled talks - which were, admittedly, an improvement over GMAC's previous position offering $5,000 to end the campaign - PPEHRC and the People's Bailout Coalition are now planning a "major protest" at a different politically advantageous site each week in an attempt to force the issue and keep supporters active.  First up: Mayor RT Rybak's office at 11am on Wednesday (meeting first at the Government Plaza LRT Station on 5th Street).  Beyond that, Honkala hinted at plans to take the fight to Pittsburgh for the upcoming G20 summit resistance (schedule/organizing bodies, latest organizing update), at which an economic justice march has been scheduled for Saturday, September 20 preceding other marches and actions the entire next week, and shortly thereafter to an action in Washington, DC.

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UPDATE 4:20pm Friday from MN PPEHRC: "At this very moment Rosemary is on the phone [Correction: a conference call is being set up] with GMAC and her lawyer to work out details of a possible real deal that Rosemary could accept. Again we cannot allow ourselves to let our hopes skyrocket high until papers are signed!"

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With a deal allegedly on the table, the tactics have changed on the 7th day of the occupation, with the goal of allowing Rosemary to live in a semi-normal state in her home.  Organizers are still on the watch for police action, however, as they wait to hear further word from GMAC lawyers.  | Photo of email from Elizabeth Glidden about offer from GMAC CEO

"I slept like I didn't think the cops were going to come, and they didn't!" - PPEHRC organizer

Waiting around: "So you guys are all on the same schedule, right?  GMAC's schedule?  They determine our lives and what we do?" - PPEHRC organizer

"The police were trying to push this one out the door and he wouldn't go.  He grabbed the policeman's leg and wouldn't let go of it!" - Rosemary, describing her grandson after the Sheriffs came on Friday

Related: Misplaced Blame at the Heart of Stories Like Rosemary's by Gail Rosenblum/Star Tribune

Most photos below were taken Thursday, August 13.

As Indymedia and others have been reporting, the direct action occupation of Rosemary Williams' foreclosed house is ongoing and has now entered its sixth day. So far, the cops haven't raided, but the general expectation is that they will soon.

We urgently need to stop that from happening and keep the protest going until GMAC agrees to negotiate in good faith!

One strategy to make this is happen is to call on the elected officials who claim to stand with people like Rosemary, not the banks and corporations, and demand that they take action to intervene.

Wednesday night-- A proposal from GMAC to keep Rosemary Williams in her home appears to be on the table.  According to an email and phone call from Minneapolis City Councilwoman Elizabeth Glidden early this afternoon, a proposal has been pitched between Tom Moreno, CEO of GMAC ResCap, and Carolyn Olson, President of GMHC.  Glidden and others have informed the Minneapolis Police that an offer has been made.

After a somewhat tense night last night, tonight's mood is cautiously optimistic as the occupation at 3138 Clinton continues.  Thursday morning, all supporters are asked to come to an 11am press conference at which more details about the negotiations will be announced.  The words of GMAC and Elizabeth Glidden have been hollow before, but what impact has the continued holding of space on Clinton Avenue had?  We may find out Thursday.

MPR: Williams Turns Down $5,000 Offer "[It would be] kind of like selling my soul to the devil" | Linda Norenberg Vows to Occupy Robbinsdale Home

UPDATE 6:30pm Wednesday - GMAC may  be negotiating.  Press conference tomorrow at 11am--all are encouraged to attend for an update! Tonight, stop by to spend time at the house until 10pm.

UPDATE 5am Wednesday - Mostly calm night - few cop drive-bys.  "You're the coolest party in the neighborhood," said one.  Many folks still at house, spirits good but vigilant!

Previous coverage below

GMAC called Rosemary Williams This morning.  They offered her $5,000.00 to go away.  She refused their paltry offer to leave the community that has been home for 55 years.  The GMAC representative stated that arrests will take place today.  Support needed at 3138 Clinton ASAP

Noon Tuesday: Police in unmarked cars doing drive-bys and parking down the block from Rosemary's.

URGENT UPDATE: Help needed at Rosemary's at 3138 Clinton in Minneapolis.  GMAC offered Rosemary $5000 to leave her long-time home.  When she declined, GMAC said that they would file a trespassing complaint and send the police to evict her.   Police could arrive  at any time.  All kinds of support needed--media, solidarity, civil disobedience.

Cancelled: TAKE ACTION:  Tuesday morning at 9:30am meet at Rosemary's house--3138 Clinton-- then go together to the mayor's office at 10am to demand a just resolution to Rosemary's situation.

Related: MPR Update says police waiting for opinion of city attorney | Fighting foreclosures in North MPLS from TCDP 

Monday evening:  Ninety to a hundred people attended a candlelight vigil at Rosemary Williams's house. Religious folks and other community activists spoke.  "God opened the door," said one speaker, describing the occupation. 

Monday: 4th day of occupation; approx. 15 people stayed at the house last night; many more there this morning. | Article & Video from Fight Back News

Sunday Update: Press conference at Rosemary's house, 8am Monday.

The occupation at Rosemary Williams' home at 3138 Clinton in Minneapolis enters its second night tonight. On Friday night, about 20 people, including Rosemary Williams herself, spent the night at the home after a no trespassing order was given earlier in the day. At a 4pm press conference this rainy and humid Saturday, the usual crowd of activists from MN PPEHRC and the Coalition for a People's Bailout (twitter feed), bolstered by growing support and donations of food and supplies from neighbors, rallied to the defense of Williams' home. Some pushed for GMAC to finally negotiate; others concluded that the only option left is to defend the house with their bodies.

The question now is what the Minneapolis Police will do next. A police spokesman has said they'll respond if a trespassing complaint is received - but what that means is anyone's guess. For now, says Rosemary, "We can't give up, that's the bottom line. We have to band together to make this happen." People will continue to occupy the house around the clock.

Previously: Sheriffs Arrive, Leave

Minnesota Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign

URGENT!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



SHERIFF EVICTING ROSEMARY WILLIAMS AT THIS MOMENT:

COMMUNITY MOBILIZED TO SAVE HER HOME, ARRESTS LOOMING



After months of fighting for her home of many decades, Rosemary Williams is being
evicted at this moment, 2:15pm, Friday Aug. 7, by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s
Department.