Occupy Atlanta is getting personally involved with members of the 99%. From ThinkProgress:
Last week, Tawanna Rorey’s husband, a police officer based in Gwinnett County, e-mailed Occupy Atlanta to explain that his home was going to be foreclosed on and his family was in danger of being evicted on Monday. So within a few hours Occupy Atlanta developed an action plan to move to Snellville, Georgia on Monday to stop the foreclosure. At least two dozen protesters encamped on the family’s lawn, to the applause of neighbors and bystanders
The Roreys haven't been evicted yet. They tried to work with the mortgage company, but, like millions of other Americans, they were unsuccessful.
From the local CBS affiliate:
From the Atlanta Journal -Constitution
Experts were doubtful that the protest could do much to help the family. Misty A. Oaks, an Atlanta lawyer who specializes in foreclosure, said sitting in at an foreclosed home won't be effective legally.
"But it certainly will make for an interesting story and bring attention to the issues surrounding foreclosures and the enormous ramifications foreclosures are having," she said.
It seems that idea has been on the minds of the Occupy Atlanta's organizers:
Tim Franzen, one of Occupy Atlanta's organizers, said the group had been seeking a good story to highlight the problems with the mortgage industry. He said Rorey's husband, a law enforcement officer with DeKalb County, sent Occupy Atlanta an e-mail detailing their plight last week and within a few hours they formulated a plan to bring attention to the foreclosure.
"What I envision is a model of protest coming out of this," Franzen said. "We plan to develop an occupy community in this neighborhood and maybe create something that can be duplicated nationally."
I love this! This is community organizing at the grassroots level - this is taking direct action on behalf of a family that is part of the 99%. It would be great if this kind of direct action catches on, since there is certainly no shortage of foreclosures. This kind of outreach action makes an excellent addition to the OWS encampments.
cross-posted at MainSt/workingamerica.org
1 comment:
Clearly, this movement is doing far more actual "work" than the Teabaglicans or any other right wing group. Peaceful discourse in order to invoke change from the higher levels is how all democratized societies are supposed to operate. I can see how this angers many on the right, who prefer to sling mud and hide behind the robes of Jesus feigning religiosity. Appears the left is actually doing God's work since they are helping friends and neighbors in dire need. Jesus would approve.
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