Help Save the Hernandez Home: Stop Illegal Foreclosures!
- by: Occupy Fort Hernandez
- recipient: THE PEOPLE. with -Tony Cardenas (City Councilman District 6); Judy Chu (CA Representative); Barbara Boxer, Diane Feinstein (CA Senators) and Gov. Jerry Brown
In 2008 Banks and mortgage rating firms illegally sold mortgages at high ratings and at the same time purchased insurance in speculation against these mortgages so that when they were not paid off at the inflated interest rates by borrowers, banks received double compensation (Inside Job). Last year in California, 1.2 million homes were foreclosed, and another million are expected to be foreclosed in 2012. We MUST hold the banks accountable for the social crimes they are committing!
Through this petition we hope to:
1) Raise Awareness of the issue of fraudulent bank practices.
2)Build Public Opposition to Power-Holders.
2) Build Public Support for Alternatives.
The Hernandez family is facing one such foreclosure pushed through in spite of economic hardship and loan modification attempts. 174 homes are facing foreclosure in the Hernandez's 91405 zip code. By undergoing a political action of civil disobedience upon the eviction notice, this multi-generational family of 9 is standing up to the banking giants of America and demanding fair negotiations. Stand with us in calling for accountability!
The Family That Built a Fort Out of a Foreclosure
Like many families, la familia Hernandez has been battling their bank for years to keep their home...
The Hernandez family, a family of nine, purchased their home in 2006. They had never owned a home before and were first time home buyers. Homeowner Javier Hernandez measures how tall the stack of paperwork was with hand gestures saying, "We had never lived in anything bigger than a two bedroom apartment."
They decided to purchase their home because they knew that with hard work, they could afford to make their monthly payments. On time.
A Familiar Story
What happened next is a familiar story.Bank of America raised the payment rate they had signed on to by almost a thousand dollars. It didn't take long for the Hernandez family to find their mortgage underwater. When they tried to negotiate for lower rates, Bank of America led the Hernandez family to believe that if they missed payments, then their loan could be modified. So the family did this in good faith and applied for 3 loan modifications. On the third attempt Bank of America sold the Hernandez's home at auction.
"When they auctioned the house it was worth half of what we purchased it for," says Javier's brother, Ulises Hernandez.
The mortgage that the banks were auctioning to Wall St. investors is more than a bet to cash out on, it is a home. It is the home of a united family: Javier and his brother Ulises, their sister Maria, her twin daughters, and their own parents who are raising their youngest boy.
It was a Tuesday, on August 21st when the Hernandez home was visited by the Sheriffs. Ulises Hernandez answered the bell, only to find a notice of eviction pinned to the door. "I just sat for a while with the letter in my hands before telling anyone."
The Hernandez family would have to vacate their home by the 26th, Sheriffs' orders.
From Foreclosure to Fort
On the eve of their eviction, the Hernandez family hosted a going-away BBQ. Community members, fellow fraudclosure victims and activists showed up in droves to support the family. Once the kids fell asleep, the family and activists prepared to defend the home.We decided to resist eviction. Together, we built a barricade around the perimeter and surrounded the house with tents.
On August 26th, we awoke expecting to see Sheriffs outside, but instead foundnews vans lining Leadwell Street!
By the next day, Bank of America was issuing statements to the press without contacting the homeowner first. A few days (and press conferences) later, Bank of America finally reached out to the Hernandez family.
This is only the beginning.
We want to save this home, and more. The Hernandez family maintains that this is also an issue in their community. 174 homes are facing foreclosure in the Hernandez's 91405 zip code. Foreclosures not only put community members on the street, but they also lower property values and leave many houses vacant for years. Last year, in the state of California alone, 1.2 million homes were foreclosed, and in 2012 another million are expected to follow suit. After 27 days of occupying with the Hernandez family we continue to cook meals and have outreach events, direct actions at the local banks, garden and continue to resist the systems attempts to intimidate and discourage our resolve..
We Need You!
Our government sold out to the banks, so can't turn to elected officials, the courts, or to the police for justice; instead we are turning to the PEOPLE. Your support is the only reason the Hernandez family remains safe and housed. Thank you for your continued support.The action taking place at the Hernandez family home is in response to the failure of official institutions and power holders to uphold public trust and values.The key weapons against the status quo, which seeks to continually make its opponents feel powerless, has been rendered impotent by the Hernandez family and the supporters who have come to stand with them.This defense of the Hernandez home, by barricading the home against the intrusion of officials is an expression of the power of the people whose role is to establish a counter-force against power holders and organizing those who are losing their own homes through deceitful and predatory business practices by the banks and mortgage institutions.
To sign on with your support for the Hernandez Family please sign the petition to tell our local elected officials that they must stand up to the predatory banks and demand justice for their fraud against this family and honor their promise of a loan modification and fair re-finance of this home, immediately!
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