Rose Parade Completed by Occupy Fights Foreclosure Float

With millions of homes going into foreclosure, there have been allegations that banks are committing  fraud.  According to many foreclosure victims, banks promise homeowners who have financial difficulties a loan modification with lower interest rates and lower payments.  While homeowners are led to believe that banks are willing to work with them, they continue to make their mortgage payments while in reality banks are foreclosing on their houses and selling their homes to investors.  After a house has been sold, the bank evicts the homeowners and throws them out on the streets.  Since California is non-judicial foreclosure state, which means that local government automatically enforce foreclosures that lenders call for, lenders only need to prove that they filled out the appropriate paperwork to prove their case.  Lenders don't need to prove that they actually have legal merits for foreclosure unless they are legally challenged by the homeowners.

Occupy Fights Foreclosure, a subgroup of Occupy LA  continues to fight against illegal foreclosures that are currently widespread in the state of California.  OFF started the year 2013 by marching and chanting at the annual Rose Parade in Pasadena.  The group of activists and victims of illegal foreclosures met at Singer park on January 1st at 6am  Tuesday morning to prepare for the parade.  They adjusted a 15-foot-high float with "Giant Mr. Monopoly Man" on a wagon and marched the 5 mile route following the Parade.    Carlos Marroquin said that the reason for marching at the Rose Parade is not only to protest illegal foreclosure practices of the major banks but also to create public awareness and spread the word about banks'  fraudulent actions.

Preparing for the parade

5 Mile March 

Occupy Fights Foreclosure Group Reoccupies Foreclosed House

On December 23rd Occupy Fights Foreclosure, a Los Angeles based group reoccupied Soledad Corona's foreclosed house.  Mrs. Corona is a single mother who was evicted  from her home by the Bank of America on December 21st.   Mrs. Corona said that she was relaxing in her home when she heard some strange noises at 9 o'clock in the morning.  She looked outside the window and she saw the sheriffs breaking her locks and entering her house.  There were also 7 police cars outside,  Mrs. Corona added.  In a few minutes the sheriffs entered her house.  Mrs. Corona had  paperwork from her lender, Bank of America, that promised her a loan modification.  She tried to show the paperwork to the sheriffs, but they did not want to look at it.  Mrs. Corona said that she got very concerned  about her 20 year old daughter, Victoria, who had a  final in school that day.  Mrs. Corona said that she was treated as a criminal by the sheriffs department and that they forced  her out of the house at the gunpoint. Mrs. Corona added "I am a single mother and I am homeless for the Holidays".

Members of the Occupy Fights Foreclosure group as well as friends, neighbors and supporters gathered in Soledad Corona's foreclosed house. Andrea Ramirez, 9 years old, said  that she is here hoping to help her grandmother, Alicia Ramirez, to get her house back.  Mrs. Ramirez said that she was illegally evicted from her home by Vanderbilt Bank  that promised her a loan modification.

Carlos Marroquin, a member of Occupy Fights Foreclosure said that "we reoccupied Corona's house because we hope to get attention from Bank of America.  We will stay here as long as we need.  We hope that Bank of America will start working with families and will do a right thing".  "Homeowners are the victims , they are abused  by the banks and the system", Mr. Marroquin added.

Activists hang up a sign 

                        

Activists set up a tent in Mrs. Corona's front yard.

Children help to paint a sign

Mrs. Corona's fence decorated with signs

Alicia Ramirez and her nine year old granddaughter, Andrea.

Members of the Occupy Fights Foreclosure group as well as activists, neighbors and supporters gather outside awaiting a press conference.

Soledad Corona said during a press conference that Bank of America evicted her illegally during the Holiday season 

Carlos Marroquin speaks during the press conference.  Mr. Marroquin said " Homeowners are the victims, they are abused by the banks and the system". 

Protest at Best Western Golden Sails Hotel in Long Beach, California, December 15, 2012

Last November 64% of Long Beach city residents  had voted in favor of Measure N that requires Long Beach hotels with more than 100 rooms to pay their employees at least $13 an hour even though  the minimum wage in California is $8.

Right before the new minimum wage for Long Beach hotels goes into effect, Best Western Golden Sails Hotel that has 170 rooms told their 75 employees that they all will be laid off by Saturday , December 15, 2012.  The employees were also told that the hotel will be downsizing and it will be reopened under a new management.  Some of the employees will be rehired but as of this Saturday all employees are considered terminated and are eligible for a $1,000 severance package.

Rosa Rivera , a 20 - year employee at the Best Western cries outside of the hotel.  Mrs. Rivera said that she does not know why she was laid off and how she will pay her rent and bills without a job.  Carmen Pena, a 9 - year employee said that because she was fired  her children will not have Christmas presents this year.  "I don't know why I was fired", Pena added crying.

In response to this injustice, employees of  this Best Western hotel along with a Unite Here, Local 11 group and about 100 Long Beach residents/ activists, gathered together to protest the hotel's immoral practices.   California State Senator Ricardo Lara and four Long Beach City Council members, Patrick O'Donnell, Steve Neal, Al Austin and Suja Lowenthal joined the protesters this morning.  The city officials addressed the crowd at the  press conference pointing out the hotel's immoral , anti - American and anti - Democratic practices.

Protesters march chanting," Yes we can/Si, se puede".

Protesters march chanting outside of the Hotel

Protesters march chanting" What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!".

Protesters march chanting " This is what justice looks like! (protesters point at themselves ),  This is what disgusting looks like! (protesters point at the hotel)".

Long Beach City  Councilmember  4th district,  Patrick O' Donnell marches with the protesters 

The protesters gather for press conference.

State and city officials arrive at Best Western Golden Sail  Hotel to support the hotel's employees.  From left to right: Long Beach Councilmember 4th district Patrick O' Donnell, California State Senator Ricardo Lara,  Long Beach Councilmember  9th district Steven Neal, Long Beach Councilmember  8th district Al Austin and Long Beach Councilmember  2nd district Suja Lowenthal.

Rosa Rivera, a 20 - year employee speaks at the press conference outside Best Western Golden Sails Hotel.  Rivera said "I don't know why I was fired, I was working hard for 20 years and the way I was fired was unfair".  Rivera added crying " I don't know what I am going to do without my job".

California State Senator, Ricardo Lara,  addresses the crowd during the protest. Senator Lara said that firing workers during  the holiday season is immoral and that the fight will continue.  

Long Beach City Councilmember, Patrick O' Donnell speaks during the press conference.  O' Donnell  said that the Best Western hotel's practices are immoral and this is not democracy.

Long Beach City Councilmember 9th district Steven Neal speaks at the press conference during the protest.  The Council member mentioned the  necessity  of Unions today to protect workers right. 

Suja Lowenthal, 2nd district Long Beach City Council member said that the Best Western Hotel must comply with the desire of 64% of Long Beach city residents that voted to pay hotel workers $13 an hour.  "If  everybody is able to financially provide for their children and families we all will be better off"

Long Beach City Councilmember 8th district Al Ausitn speaks at the press conference during the protest.

Protesters gather inside the Best Western Golden Sails Hotel in hopes of speaking to to the general manager, Matthew Daniel. 

Carmen Pena a 9 - year employee cries inside the Best Western Hotel while talking about her situation to a desk manager.  California State Senator Ricardo Lara tries to comfort her.

California State Senator Ricardo Lara and Long Beach City Council members Al Austin and Steven Neal speak to a desk manager  at the Best Western Hotel, Donald Witz.  The city officials asked to meet and speak to Hotel's general manager , Matthew Daniel.  Mr. Witz told them that general manager was not here and he did not know how to get in touch with him.