San Francisco Homeowners Evicted, but Refuse to Leave

God damn you, Bank of America!

​If Occupy SF has done anything useful, it's inspire the community to find new ways to stand up to big banks. Last week, we told readers about how members of the Occupy movement are establishing a credit union in San Francisco. And today, housing advocates are joining families in the "Occupy Our Homes" campaign, encouraging them to defy foreclosures proceedings.

That's right -- despite being evicted, San Francisco families are now refusing to leave their homes as part of the "Home Defense" campaign, which is part of a larger movement across the nation to liberate bank-owned homes for those who are really, really in need.

San Francisco is one of of 25 cities where families and housing advocates will occupy foreclosed homes today.

Local action will start in San Francisco at 10:30 a.m. in Bayview where two families who are being threatened by foreclosures will pledge to remain in their homes when sheriff deputies come to evict them.

That includes Denise Collins, a school bus driver who has been fighting to get a modification loan, and is considered a "dual-tracking victim." While waiting for her modification, Collins received an eviction notice, and she is scheduled to be kicked out of her home on Jan. 2, 2012. However, Collins is refusing to leave.

"Banks are rich because of our money, and they received billions in bailouts, but they are not paying their fair share in taxes and then kicking [residents] out of their homes," said Grace Martinez, spokeswoman with the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, an organization that helps people who are losing their homes. "These banks need to have some personal responsibility."

Anyone wishing to participate can also sign a pledge to remain inside their foreclosed home at www.occupyourhomes.org

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