Eviction in Michigan

Moratorium Now! reports that in Jackson, Michigan a “severely disabled” man is being evicted from his home. His name is S. Baxter Jones and he fell behind on his rent while waiting for his Social Security and pension to be processed. His creditors, Wells Fargo and Fannie Mae, are evicting him even though he met with executives of the former and even though his Social Security is now coming through.

This is outrageous! No one should be treated that way! Wells Fargo and Fannie Mae should not be allowed to ignore  a person suffering from serious head trauma and throw him out on the street. Please call these firms at:

• Fannie Mae Chicago Office: 1-312-368-6200
• Fannie Mae Mortgage Help Center: 1-866-442-8572
• Wells Fargo Office of Executive Complaint: 1-800-853-8516

Fannie Mae can also be e-mailed at chicago_mhc@fanniemae.com.

Address of Baxter’s home: 8789 Rexford Road, Jackson, MI 49201

Loan #: 025 301 6042

Tell these companies to cease eviction proceedings and work with Baxter to alter his loan terms such that it will be possible for him to stay in his home.

VAWA

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which had 62 co-sponsors, passed the Senate by a 78-22 vote. The legislation now goes to the house, which has previously blocked it. The question is, does the fact that 24 of 46 republican senators voted for the measure indicate a change in heart, or are they merely  covering their posteriors by voting for a popular bill they expect their party to vote down in the other chamber?

The house has repeatedly blocked VAWA over protections for immigrant women and lesbians and given tribal courts the authority to prosecute anyone who is not Native America under the Act. In fact, Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa actually asserted that non-Native Americans cannot get a fair trial in a tribal court. What nonsense. Such racism and paranoia do not belong in the 21st century. What we have now is a trifecta of bigotry: excluding immigrant women from protection, similarly excluding lesbians, and not trusting tribal courts to give non-tribal American citizens a fair trial. This is disgusting and disingenuous. It must not be allowed to stand. The for VAWA to authorities authorization it lost due to inexcusable Republican obstruction has long passed. ALL women deserve protection, and they deserve it NOW!!