Assaulted By US Marshalls Delivering Petition with Struggling Homeowners

Today I joined struggling homeowners and those who have been displaced in from their homes to peacefully deliver a petition to the US Attorney’s office asking them to push for the 4 billion dollars that are supposed to go to struggling Americans from the recent Chase Bank settlement. We were greeted by Federal Marshalls who harassed our group and attempted to bar anyone with our group from entering the public building.

At one point Marshalls began a second line in the building for “regular” citizens as we were told we couldn’t enter, this is of course a gross violation of our rights.

When we attempted to enter the building I stated that if officers believed I was breaking the law by entering I would certainly not resist arrest and they were under no threat of violence from me or anyone else in the group. An officer immediately grabbed me, threw me to the ground and kicked me in the side while I was down. I stood back up and the officer shoved me back onto the ground, this was repeated two more times until the officer restrained me. At no time did I resist, wiggle, yell, or do anything that could be perceived as aggression toward him or others present.

Eventually the officer let go of me. Minutes later a representative allowed us to enter and do what we intended. We were there to peacefully deliver a letter and petitions on behalf of thousands of homeowners, demanding to know what happened to billions of dollars in relief promised as part of the settlement with JP Morgan Chase. By contrast, Chase Bank CEO Jamie Dimon is able to walk right in to the Department of Justice and meet with Attorney General Eric Holder face to face with no issues. There is something very wrong with our system of justice in this country.

Sadly this isn't the first time struggling homeowners and displaced Americans have been met with violence at the department of justice. We know we're in a crisis of moral and economic priority when the folks that have stolen wealth and homes from people are given private meetings with the highest officials while those that have been victimized by the thief's are beaten, bared from entering the building, and even arrested.

This evening I will be submitting a letter to US Attorney Sally Yates asking her to meet with me and a few other homeowners to talk about what happened.

Sign the petition & tell the DOJ not to let Wall Street off the hook again. 

From Atlanta to Minneapolis

Today we delivered almost 10,000 petition signatures to a local Chase Bank Branch demanding Chase stop Minneapolis resident Sergio Ceballos' eviction and negotiate with him.

Last week a judge granted Chase Bank's request to evict Sergio Ceballos, even as they were considering him for a loan modification. That's called "dual tracking" and it's illegal under the national mortgage settlement--but that's not stopping Chase.

Sergio could be evicted as soon as next week--and cases like his are distressingly common, especially in communities of color. Chase, which played a key role in causing the crisis in the first place, is now flagrantly violating the terms of the new settlement--and STILL no bankers have gone to jail for their role in this mess.

It's clear the laws aren't enough to hold the banks accountable. If we want them to change their ways, we'll have to take action ourselves. So today solidarity actions were quickly organized all over the country.  We were happy to have Sergio’s back here in Atlanta and will take bolder action should Chase decide to move forward with eviction by force.

Sign the Ceballos petition nhere.

From Atlanta To Minnieapolis

Today AFSC joined Occupy Our Homes Atlanta to help deliver a message to Jamie Dimon in solidarity with Occupy Homes MN and two families in Minneapolis fighting against Chase Bank. 


We showed up at the Chase bank branch in the Westend, walked into the branch and delivered hardship letters for Jaymie Kelly and Sergio Aguilar along with pictures of them both. We made it clear that we would not accept their eviction and that we wanted the message sent to Chase that we need real solutions, not evictions.

After delivering the letter we spent about an hour outside the bank asking Chase costumers to deliver hardship letters to Chase employees while they do their banking. Dozens of Chase costumers agreed to ask Chase staff to work with Jaymie and Sergio.

Occupy Homes MN has joined with residents in Minneapolis' Central and Powderhorn neighborhoods to declare an "Eviction Free Zone". 




Three of the residents in the Eviction Free Zone are fighting against Chase Bank to stay in their homes. 

Jaymie Kelly has lived in her home for 30 years. After falling victim to a predatory loan, Chase expects Jaymie to pay $255,000 for a house currently valued at $81,000. 
After two attempts to meet with Chase and negotiate, the bank still refuses to discuss a responsible solution that will allow Jaymie and her daughter to stay in her home. They are proceeding with the foreclosure process and Jaymie is facing eviction in just a few weeks. 
Jaymie refuses to leave her home, declaring her right to stay in the neighborhood where she has lived her entire life.

As the fight continues between retired US Postal worker, Jaymie Kelly and Chase Bank CEO, Jamie Dimon, other homeowners in the Eviction Free Zone join in the struggle for fair negotiations with Chase.

After neighbors and supporters called Chase to demand the bank work with these homeowners, Sergio Aguilar received a call from the bank saying they would look into his case. 

But as his redemption period expired on 4/9, Chase informed him they would not work with his family and plan to move forward with an eviction despite the fact Sergio can afford payments based on the current value of the home.