FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 OCCUPY OUR HOMES DC

Washington, DC

Press Contact:

Occupy Our Homes DC,

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WHO: Dawn Butler, Occupy our Homes DC

WHAT: Stopping an eviction

WHEN: 9am- until the US Marshals back off 

WHERE:   N.E. Washington, DC

Occupy DC confronts U.S. Marshals to save Dawn Butler’s home

WASHINGTON DC- 9am Monday April 2rd, the U.S. Marshals are set to evict Dawn Butler from the home that she has lived in since 2006.

J.P. Morgan Chase denied Dawn her right to buy her house when her landlord foreclosed, as DC law mandates. The bank railroaded her case through the courts. Now she is being evicted.

However, she will not be leaving. Dawn and Occupy Our Homes have teamed up to stop her eviction.

Dawn is just one of millions of Americans who have been taken advantage of by greedy banks. Communities of color were disproportionally affected by the 2008 financial collapse. Between 2001 and 2009 median black wealth fell 83%. This is due in no small part to that community being targeted by banks for unfair foreclosure and evictions.

“Why should I move? I have not done anything wrong. I feel like when I walk back into that court I am going to have even more strength. I’m not alone, at first I was embarrassed, because the Marshals are going to be outside, this is so embarrassing, but now I say, ‘come outside Marshals, because this is what you are going to see, you are going to see us fighting back.’”

Around the country the movement has been gathering steam to fight back against the banks that are denying people their right to housing. Housing activists have successfully blocked eviction and even moved homeless families into vacant homes.

Just last month Bertina Jones, a homeowner in Bowie, Maryland, joined Occupy Our Homes-DC to successfully block her own eviction. Ms. Jones’ story serves as a model for people facing eviction around the country.

They will try to isolate you and make you feel so embarrassed. And you don’t know what to do, and you don’t have a lawyer, and they have a whole legal team. And you feel like you’re fighting this big giant alone. But you’re not alone, and if we stand together they can’t win. And that’s why I’m out supporting them.”

Housing is a human right. The 99% will no longer allow profits to subvert people’s needs. The spring offensive is underway.