Daily Digest – Monday, Nov. 14 – Occupy Cleveland Prevents Home Foreclosure

The Official Site of the #OccupyCleveland Movement

Today & Tomorrow: Occupy Cleveland Prevents A Home Foreclosure * Today’s Poem: Not My Home * Today’s (Monday’s) Events * Call for Help: Occupy Medina * Occupy Your State Party Central Committee* Call for Help: City Forces Occupiers Into Cold * Calls to Action – Portland and Denver * Call for Help with Winter Occupation Quarters, Volunteers and Food * Call for Help to Stop Garbage Incinerator * Call to Recycle * Fresh Facilitators Wanted * Upcoming Events of Note * Meetings / WAGs * Noon Teach-in Schedule * Current Haves and Needs * More Reading / Links * Call for Information

Weekday Schedule: Today’s Events; 12 Noon Teach-in; 3 PM March; 6-7 PM GA; 7 PM Community Chat; 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; Stuff happens continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7

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Sunday’s GA Notes
Brief recap: Concensus reached on Mon. & Tues. activity to prevent home foreclosure; info tent permit concerns.

Proposals in Forums
11-12 proposal to help prevent a group of individuals from acquiring too much power and act and make decisions outside the GA.

Today & Tomorrow: Occupy Cleveland Prevents A Home Foreclosure * CONSENSUS PROJECT

Press Release

Cleveland – November 14, 2011- On Tuesday, November 15th, Elizabeth Sommerer and her two children, ages 5 and 7, are being evicted from their home at W. 94th and Denison. Late Sunday night, members of #OccupyCleveland started setting up tents and occupying her property, with the intent of stopping the eviction. #OccupyCleveland seeks to shine a light on the tragedy and heartbreak of the foreclosure crisis.

Members of #OccupyCleveland will be reaching out to Beth’s neighbors on Monday to introduce themselves, explain why they are there and ask for their support. There will be a march at noon to other foreclosed properties in her neighborhood, to highlight the severity of the foreclosure crisis. At 7pm, #OccupyCleveland and the community will hold a vigil at Beth’s home. They will remain on her property overnight. Tuesday morning, friends and allies of #OccupyCleveland will gather at Beth’s home for a rally, in a last ditch effort to head off the eviction. Members of #OccupyCleveland will be in contact with Fannie Mae and Terra Realty to attempt to negotiate a rental agreement on Beth’s behalf. The Sheriff’s department and a moving truck will be arriving at 11:30 am, to remove Beth and her children from their home. #OccupyCleveland is asking that Fannie Mae allow Beth to rent her home and will not leave until her family has secured the right to stay there.

In 2007, Beth Sommerer, her now estranged husband, and their two kids, bought a home. Due to a number of issues, they defaulted on their mortgage in 2009. In early 2010, the bank filed foreclosure paperwork. Around the same time, the family began working with ESOP to find a way to stay in their home. The mortgage was in Mr. Sommerer’s name, so when he abandoned the process, Beth had no standing to pick up where he left off. By May 2011, Beth had gotten everything necessary to qualify for ESOP’s foreclosure program, but still needed her husband’s signature on the paperwork. He refused to sign and subsequently abandoned the family. In July, Beth filed for public assistance. She was later approved but has yet to receive any benefits. In August 2011, the home was sold in a Sheriff’s auction, to Fannie Mae. Beth contacted Terra Realty and Development to try to reach a rental agreement. Terra Realty said they had no authority to do so. When Beth received an eviction notice in early October, she contacted the lawyer named on the notice, to ask either for a rental agreement or to be allowed to stay in the home until her benefits arrived. Beth has found a new place for she and her children.

She enrolled in a relocation program with Catholic Charities that will cover her deposit and last month’s rent, as well as moving expenses. She cannot sign the lease until her benefits arrive. She was told her benefits would arrive by the end of November. Therefore, at most, she only needs a few weeks extension. The lawyer was not receptive to any agreement. The eviction has been scheduled for Tuesday, November 15, at 11:30am.

Fannie Mae is a tax-payer funded institution that has received over 200 billion dollars in bailout money and asks for more. THIS MOTHER IS ONLY ASKING THAT SHE BE GIVEN A FEW MORE WEEKS SO SHE CAN MAKE ARRANGEMENTS REGARDING AN APARTMENT FOR HER AND HER CHILDREN.

The schedule of events for the Monday and Tuesday (when the sheriff arrives) goes as follows:

MONDAY
7-9 am— Canvass of families in the community/schools
9-12 am— Door-to-door canvassing
12 pm-1 pm— March around the neighborhood to foreclosed homes
1-5 pm—– More canvassing/ potential Occupy RTA
5:30 pm—– Meet at the Tom Johnson quadrant/park of Public Square
6 pm— Head to GA in an undisclosed location
6:30 pm—— Move GA back to the home: 3174 West 94th Street, Cleveland, Ohio
7-9 pm—– Vigil
9 pm—- Silent/sleep time and potentially more canvassing (perhaps door-to-door)

TUESDAY
9-11:30 rally (with potential march)
1130- Sheriff arrives, sees that Clevelanders (the 99 percent) have taken a stand and will take no more foreclosures, which destroy communities, and backs down.

Spread the word! Bring your friends! Come canvass! We have the opportunity to set a precedent for the nation, to spark a massive movement, and to fulfill our duties as citizens to organize and assemble in the face of injustice. We can make history by being one of the first places to top a foreclosure!

Note: Although SOME may decide to engage in civil disobedience, no one is required, and it is thoroughly understandable if one decides not to do so. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=173507012743344

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Not My Home

You call it a house
A structure
An investment

It is my home
The place where I live
The place where I love

My children learn here
Eat here
Sleep here

You call it a house
A form of income
An asset to the bank

It is my home
The place the shields me from the winter’s cold
The place that keeps my family safe

I study for college here
Pray here
Cry here

You call it a house
A source of capital
A reason to charge more taxes

It is my home
The place where I dance
The place where my pets play

My mother grows organic, healthy food here
Retired here
Laughs here

You call it a house
A possession you can rip away at a moments notice
A deed with no emotional ties

It is my home
The place I will fight for
The place I will stand for

We are law abiding citizens, trying to survive here
To live the American dream here
To build a future here

You call it a house
But it IS my home
And you will NOT take it from me…

Not My Home

–Scarlet © 2011

“Great compassion is the root of altruistic action. It really is a source of wonder. There is no greater source of help and happiness. The capacity to devote yourself to the welfare of others yields otherwise unobtainable power and potential for good. Generate great compassion and you become a friend of the world and a companion of the warm-hearted. “ — His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Nov. 7, 2011

Please send submissions to occupyclevelandpoetry (_at symbol_) gmail.com.

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Today’s (Monday’s) Events

In addition to our regularly scheduled weekday events, here are some special events that are happening today! Lots to do! Unless otherwise noted, events are in NW Quadrant (Tom Johnson/Free Speech Quadrant) of Public Square or nearby in the white tent area. More upcoming events after today are here…

Monday, Nov. 14 7 AM – 9 PM
Occupy Cleveland Prevents a Home Foreclosure
Please see headlining article above for more info or visit the event page here.

Monday, Nov. 14 @ 6 PM – SPECIAL GA
This GA will be held in a special location. Meet at Tom Johnson at 5:30 to move together to the location. Latecomers, folks at the info tent will be able to redirect you, and you can also call them at 216-202-4999. Here’s the thread on the topic: http://unju.st/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=895

Communication WAG * 1-3 PM Daily Check-ins
Facilitates communication with reps from each group–check in with John between 1-3 PM in Public Square.

Direct Action WAG * Every Day @ at 7 PM after GA * NOTE CHANGED TIME
Coordination of Direct Action communication and initiatives. Wed., Nov. 2 Mtg Notes.

Foreclosure and Bank Action WAG – Video/Phone Conf * 8 PM Mondays
Concerns ways to brainstorm to change the situation with banks such that banks are held accountable for foreclosure impact on community. Unfortunately I do not have any more info than this. Can a member of this group please send info to occupyclevelandstories (_at symbol_) gmail.com? Thank you!

Mon., Nov. 14 @ 10 PM – 2 AM and Tues., Nov. 15 @ 2 AM – 6 AM Evening Shifts
Please sign up at the white tent for an evening shift so that we can maintain effective occupancy overnight and relieve people who are overburdened. Dress extremely warmly with lots of layers and bring appropriate gear to keep yourself warm. As of now we are unclear on the tent situation but this is a possibility soon.

Call for Help: Occupy Medina

“I’m trying to organize an Occupation for Medina to help spread the message to the suburbs! Interest is slim thus far, so I need some help getting the word out so we can start organizing. Medina is a very red county, so we need to make sure that Republicans know that this is for them just as much as it is for Democrats. Tell your friends and family from around the Medina/Brunswick/Wadsworth areas.”

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=259309420784160

Occupy Your State Party Central Committee

If you’re a registered Republican or Democratic Party member, YOU have an opportunity to register as a candidate for your Ohio Senate District representative to your party. More info: http://empathysurplus.com/occupy-your-state-party-central-committee/

Call for Help: City Forces Occupiers Into Cold

Friday morning, the City of Cleveland instructed the police department to remove canopy walls of #OccupyCleveland’s temporary structure located on the sidewalk of W. Roadway between Superior and Frankfurt. #OccupyCleveland has abided by all restrictions including no bedding, sleeping, or additional structures. Per the permit, “Three of the four sides [of the single permitted temporary structure] must be open to the public.” With the cold weather, #OccupyCleveland needs the tarped sides of the structure to shield both people and belongings from the below-freezing wind chill and Cleveland’s first snow of the season.

Lack of sleep and increasingly inclement weather has been harmful to the Occupation’s peaceful demonstrators. According to Katie Steinmuller of #OccupyCleveland, “A few of the protestors have gotten really sick and have needed to go home. The health situation has gotten much worse in the past few weeks.”

Demonstrators are willing to compromise, but need the city’s permission to stay warm and safe. #OccupyCleveland has repeatedly requested revision of the permit with the Mayor’s Chief of Staff, Ken Silliman. Citizens of the occupation have not been given the opportunity to speak to the Mayor. The response from the City of Cleveland’s Legal Team and Mayor Jackson’s representatives has been that the current terms of the encroachment permit are the final compromise.

#OccupyCleveland reminds the Mayor’s office of a message on the city’s website in which Mayor Jackson states, “Cleveland is a strong town with strong people- people who have supported its great past and are working towards an even greater future. Join me in building the Cleveland of tomorrow.” Occupier Erin McCardle responds, “The members of #OccupyCleveland are some of those strong people. Like the mayor, we are committed to the growth of Cleveland and want to join together in democratically addressing the needs of our community’s future. We need Mayor Jackson’s support to have our first-amendment-protected dialogue on public space without freezing to death.”

#OccupyCleveland requests that community supporters contact Mayor Jackson’s office with the following points:

1) As a citizen, I control public space
2) I support the first-amendment right of the occupiers to assemble on public space
3) I request your support in allowing the occupiers shelter through winter

Please call the following numbers:
Debbie M. Ivy, Mayor’s Executive Assistant: 216-664-6198
Valarie J. McCall, Chief of Government Affairs: 216-664-3544
City of Cleveland Switchboard: 216-664-3990

Calls to Action – Portland and Denver

PORTLAND police attempted to shut down the occupation but could not due to 5000 participants shutting down the streets. The Mayor said he will evict the camp when there are fewer people. Please call the Portland Mayor at 503-823-4120 and the Portland police info desk : 503-874-8479 and ask them to tolerate the occupation.

Occupy Denver was evicted viciously with rubber bullets. Please call Gov Hickenlooper at 303-866-2471, the mayor at 720-865-9000 and Denver Police at 720-913-2000 to calmly ask for them to respect the our first ammendment rights to assemble peacefully and air grievences against a VERY inhumane and corrupt system.

Call for Help with Winter Occupation Quarters, Volunteers and Food

Currently looking for space between E 30 and W 30 (marching distance to banks and fed are key here) that is accessible 24/7. (Also, should have heat that won’t cost us a fortune). For the most part this means storefronts or office space (maybe in one of than bank buildings so we can occupy the bank?) but if you’ve got another idea that doesn’t look like that don’t let that limit you.

If you know of a space, know someone who might help us out, or just drove by something with a sign outside and feel like calling and checking, we need your help and any information you find.

First Aid needs more volunteers, and Housekeeping and Sanitation need people to help with the tent. We are running out of food and we call for donations.

Call for Help to Stop Garbage Incinerator

We have an environmental justice issue going on here in Cleveland. We have to put the kabash on this insane deal! Some want to burn toxic garbage right near community gardens and tons of schools. Please help stop this whatever way you can!

http://heresanotherreason.tumblr.com/

Call to Recycle

Please make sure to be conscientious about recycling in the Occupy area. There’s a recycling bin under one of the tables in the tent.

Fresh Facilitators Wanted

The facilitation group has asked for fresh people to do the facilitation process. Here’s a training video put out by Occupy Wall Street: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfTf2db6YfI. Interested parties can get in touch with the Facilitation workgroup as well.

Upcoming Events

Events are in the NW Quadrant (Tom Johnson Quadrant) of Public Square unless otherwise noted.

Tuesday, Nov. 15 @ 9 AM – 3 PM
Occupy Cleveland Prevents a Home Foreclosure
A Cleveland mother and her two children, ages 5 and 7, have been told that the sheriff will arrive at her house at 11:30 A.M. on Tuesday, November 15th, for eviction. The address is 3174 West 94th Street, Cleveland, Ohio. Here’s what Occupy Cleveland is doing and needs you to do. We plan to have a significant amount of people surrounding the house in tents so that when the Sheriff does arrive, he will have no choice but to give this mother a few more weeks.   http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=173507012743344

Tuesday, Nov. 15 @ 12 NOON – 2 PM
City Club of Cleveland Forum with Sherine Hafez-”Taking Back the Streets: Women’s Activism and the Egyptian Uprising”
Westfield Insurance Studio Theater at Ideastream, Playhouse Square

http://newperspectivesatideastream-zvents.eventbrite.com/

Wednesday, Nov. 16 @ 8 PM – 10 PM and recurring every Wednesday
Community Drum Circle
Bring your drum to the NW Quadrant (“Tom Johnson Quadrant”) of Public Square Wednesdays at 8.

Fri., November 18 @ 6 PM
Occupy the Hood “Foreclosure Focus!” Workshop
11239 Superior Ave.

Fri., November 25
Benefit concert for #OccupyCleveland at Phantasy Nightclub in Lakewood
November Date-time Continuum Slot/Event Name TBD
Theater production(s) RE pertinent topics

Sat., Dec. 10 @ 12 NOON
International Human Rights Day No Cuts! Rally and March
A coalition of community members and organizations (including #OccupyCleveland) are banding together to organize this event to stop the proposed cuts by the Super Committee. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=130719423702177

Regular Meetings / WAGs*

WAGS are located in the northwest quadrant of Public Square by the Tom Johnson statue or in the white tent adjacent to the quadrant unless otherwise noted, and all are welcome to come and participate! Please send your meeting/WAG info to occupyclevelandstories (_at symbol_) gmail.com so that it can be listed here.

Community Outreach WAG
Mtg. Sat. Nov. 19 @ 1 PM * Alternating Saturdays and Sundays * PLEASE NOTE CHANGED MEETING VENUE
Coordination with groups to help grow the movement. We are meeting in the NW Quadrant (Tom Johnson Quadrant) of Public Square (moved from Cafe Ah-Roma). 11/5 meeting notes. Outreach email: occupyclevelandoutreach (_at symbol_) gmail.com.

Occupation WAG * Tuesdays and Thursdays after 6 PM GA
Coordination and research of physical occupation

Tech WAG * Wednesdays 8 PM

Direct Action WAG * Every Day @ at 7 PM after GA * NOTE CHANGED TIME
Coordination of Direct Action communication and initiatives. Wed., Nov. 2 Mtg Notes.

Communication WAG * 1-3 PM Daily Check-ins
Facilitates communication with reps from each group–check in with John between 1-3 PM in Public Square–phone coming.

Foreclosure and Bank Action WAG – Video/Phone Conf * 8 PM Mondays
Concerns ways to brainstorm to change the situation with banks such that banks are held accountable for foreclosure impact on community

Education WAG * Next Mtg. TBA
Coordination of Education / Teach-ins / Scheduling. occupyclevelanded (_at symbol) gmail.com. Meeting Notes from 10/30 on Ed Forum (unju.st/forum)

Theater Subgroup of Arts and Culture WAG * Next Mtg. TBA
Collaborative Theater Meeting
This particular meeting pertains to theater event(s) and other creative actions. We are planning a major creative event in November and we invite poets, artists, singers, musicians, dancers, theater people and anyone interested in participating to come to this planning event Wednesday, which will also be a group collaborative event that will be fun. More details below. occupyclevelandtheater (_at symbol) gmail.com

First Aid/Housekeeping/Sanitation WAG * Next Mtg. TBA

* WAG: Working/Affinity Group

Check the forums for more info on working groups. There are probably working group meetings that are happening that are not on the above list. Here are some known working groups: Outreach * Phone & Q&A * Arts & Culture * Spirituality * Food * Mission/Vision * Legal * Peacekeeping * Entertainment * First Aid * Sanitation * Nightwatch * Direct Action * Facilitators * Finance * Tech * Logistics * Transportation * Permanent Occupation Base

Noon Teach-in Schedule

- No Teach-ins Currently Scheduled –

Teach-ins take place on weekdays, noon to 1 PM at the white tent west of the Northwest Quadrant of Public Square or by the statue in the square, depending on space and the number of people participating. Suggestion: bring yoga mat or other comfortable material for sitting and learning, and dress appropriately for the weather. If you have scheduled a teach-in and it conflicts with one of the teach-ins below, please contact occupyclevelanded (_at symbol_) gmail.com so we can fix the situation.

Suggestion: if no moderator present, please get comfortable, sit down, form a circle and each speak for a couple minutes around the circle, offering information that will help society, with as many rounds around the circle as wanted. Please be considerate and let each speak for a couple minutes.

Interested in scheduling your teach-in? Please contact occupyclevelanded (_at symbol_) gmail.com.

Current haves and needs

Kindness, self-critique, community, patience, persistence, dialogue, peace, rationality, health, equality, empathy, civic support, solidarity, idealism, courage, listening, dialogue, mentoring, participation, calmness, respect, compassion for one another, outreach, ethical banks, small business loans from banks, energy, focus, kindness, wholeness, tolerance, listening, global tribal ethic, fostering leadership in young adults, restoring reverence to older adults, community, focus, patience, lots of love, pride, humility, moving forward, reaching out.

Practically speaking: overnight occupiers to work in shifts in our overnight area–sign up at the tent, particularly the 2 AM – 6 AM shift, water (particularly hot water), very large thermos for hot water, more computer equipment and luxurious hot food made as ethically as you can conveniently or inconveniently muster–especially in the morning when people are cold–and donations.

Other Reading Items/Links of Note

What Does “Freedom of Assembly” Mean for Occupy Wall Street?

Letter of Support from Dennis Kucinich (10/28)

OCCUPY CLEVELAND T-shirts

Recurring Info

Weekday Schedule: 12 Noon Teach-in; 3 PM March; 6-7 PM GA; 7 PM Community Chat; 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Today’s Events; Upcoming Events; Stuff happens continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7

Weekend Schedule: 3PM GA (General Assembly); 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Today’s Events; Upcoming Events; Stuff happens continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7.

Info Tent #: (216) 202-4999 | Phone Rules

Call for Information

Dear Readers/Occupiers:

People who are planning events and work groups–please email these events to occupyclevelandstories (_at symbol_) gmail.com so I can post them rather than having dig and dig every morning through the forums and multiple facebook pages to find these items. It is taking between one to three hours to do this Digest every morning, so emailing info to me will help me get this out more quickly.

Please continue to post GA notes daily in the forum “General Assembly” here: http://unju.st/forum/. It is vital to post these notes for the larger Occupy community so that we know what items are being consented to and what events are consensus events. Thank you to those who have been posting notes!

Peace,

The Temporary Editor

What Would You Like to See?

Please mail letters to the editor, story ideas, meeting times, articles, etc. to occupyclevelandstories (_at symbol_) gmail.com. Also, the Daily Digest is having a working group meeting Sunday, 10/30 at noon in the Tom Johnson (NW) quadrant of Public Square. If not right in the quadrant, please check the white tent west of the square.

Call for Poetry/Creative Writing/Art Submissions – we’re looking for poetry seeds from the larger poetry community, again, a great outreach action. We’re putting together an Occupy Cleveland poetry zine and I’d like to feature some creative items in the Daily Digest as well. Please send submissions to occupyclevelandpoetry (_at symbol_) gmail.com.

Thank you to all people who are making information available!

Read more at Occupy Cleveland