As the weather turns colder across much of the country, and high-profile evictions of OWS Tent cities in NYC and LA filling social media like Twitter and Youtube, many involved with Occupations are beginning to transition into what is being referred to as phase two of Occupy Wall Street.
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/...
"....for now they are promoting dozens of smaller actions, such as picketing the president in New York and staging sit-ins at homes marked for foreclosure.
"We intend to use this for what it is, basically six months to get our feet underneath us, to get strong," said Phil Striegel, a community activist in San Francisco.
Protesters elsewhere also refuse to concede defeat."
So what does this mean for individual Occupy groups across America?
(More below the fold)
While the battle is not over, OWS has scored a major victory in the court of public opinion by shifting discussion in the media to some of the sloppy and downright illegal practices of some of the nations largest banks and the foreclosure law firms they work hand in hand with.
The conversation OWS started is making it's way from social media, to mainstream media, and as of December 1st , all the way to the chambers of Mass. Attorney General Martha Coakley, who filed suit against five massive banks on Thursday.
http://www.boston.com/...
Our suit alleges that the banks have charted a destructive path by cutting corners and rushing to foreclose on homeowners without following the rule of law,'said Coakley, citing what she called their illegal behavior.It is the first major legal action taken against the nation's biggest banks since they started foreclosure-settlement negotiations with the 50 state attorneys general in the spring. The talks began after the attorneys general launched an investigation into reports of fraudulent and sloppy foreclosure-related practices by the banks.
So what exactly does phase 2 look like?
For Occupy Cleveland it's a focus on foreclosures that began the 14th of November.
In a state where 1 in every 586 housing units received a foreclosure notice in October 2011, Occupy Cleveland saved a Single mother and her children from a homeless holiday. They were able to get a stay on the eviction after pitching tents in the woman's yard and refusing to leave until an agreement could be brokered so the family could stay in their home over the Holidays.
Think Progress-Occupy Cleveland Saves...
Cleveland.com/Business-Occupy Cleveland
So what's next for Occupy Cleveland?
Occupy Cleveland is moving into phase 2, by taking a stand against the massive foreclosure firms responsible for illegal foreclosures and evictions across Ohio.
We need your help occupying their in-boxes to show our "Appreciation" and wish them Happy Holidays, while letting them know we are on to them.
We know they have been an active link in the chains that form the illegal foreclosure process, and we are putting them on notice.
They can expect us....
Please help us spread awareness of illegal foreclosures in Ohio, and across the nation, by taking a few seconds to send cheerful Holiday greetings to one of these "Foreclosure Farmers"
Today's law firm is
Reimer, Arnovitz, Chernek & Jeffrey.
PH: (330) 425-4201
info@reimerlaw.com
2450 Edison Blvd.
Twinsburg, OH 44087
http://www.reimerlaw.com/
Feel free to copy and paste this message I just sent to info@reimerlaw.com or get creative and add your own imaginative greetings.
;)
The most important thing is to Occupy their time and energy with our messages!
Dear Mr. Reimer,
Happy Holidays!
Apparently, your firm is one of the top foreclosure law firms representing banks in the city of Cleveland. Just one question. Are you or your clients always in possession of the mortgage note when foreclosing on a family's home? If not, how often are you fraudulently practicing law?
We're on to you.
Expect us....
Sincerely,
(Your name)
Occupy Cleveland
99%
The second thing you can do to help raise awareness of illegal foreclosures is simple.
Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, and your family to empower themselves by knowing their rights when it comes to foreclosures.
Foreclosure mill Huntington Bank sponsors a "holiday" lighting ceremony on Cleveland's Public Square every year. This year, it occurred on Occupy Cleveland's 52d day of occupation on the Tom Johnson Free Speech quadrant. So a bat signal was projected onto the blank wall of the International Brotherhood of Train Engineers building, towering over the square, and the thousands below, as Occupy says Merry Christmas to Cleveland.
Occupy Cleveland has a message for you if you're threatened with foreclosure this Christmas
Stay in your homes!
If you are threatened with foreclosure, DEMAND the note!
You have the right to demand it be produced before the court. Be strong, know your rights and protections under the law.
Do not give up hope. You are not alone, You are the 99%, We are the 99%.
We will not forget.
They can expect us.
If you support the cause, but can't get in on the action in person, you can always support Occupy Cleveland with a visit to our We Pay donation page. :D
https:/www.wepay.com...
I warned you it was shameless! ;)