Take Back the Land Rochester believes that housing is a human right, not a commodity. We believe that land and housing should be controlled by the community, not the banks. In order to elevate housing to a human right and secure community control over land we defend people from foreclosure-related evictions and assist homeless people to move into vacant, bank-owned homes. In this process we are wresting land from the control of the banks and turning it back to our community in the form of community land trusts—where land can be taken off the speculative market. As long as housing occurs at the whim of the banks and the market homelessness and poverty will plague our community forever. In short, housing should be for people not for profit. That's why we're taking back the land!
Submitted by liberateyourcom... on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 00:29
Nearly a year after the unjust foreclosure of her home by Bank of America and Fannie Mae, and her notorious eviction – first prevented, then defended by Take Back the Land Rochester, and later carried out by nearly two dozen Rochester Police, garnering international attention and outrage for excessive police support of criminal bank behavior – Catherine Lennon finally expected her day in court on Friday, December 2, 2011. Lennon has maintained that she was never properly served notice of foreclosure or told when her home went to auction, and supporters found her foreclosure documents full of irregularities and forgery. In response to an Order to Show Cause by the NYS Supreme Court, the banks' attorney, Steven J. Baum P.C., was to have produced documentation proving the case for just foreclosure. The firm, though, under investigation by the NYS Attorney Generalfor the same types of violations in the Lennon case, has been forced to close its doors under adverse publicity and extensive legal woes. Though Baum intended to complete pending cases, Bank of America suddenly removed the firm the Catherine Lennon Case and sought new representation. Lennon's case has been postponed indefinitely with the hopes of an out of court settlement that will keep Catherine Lennon and her family in her home permanently.
Submitted by liberateyourcom... on Fri, 11/25/2011 - 19:18
Fellow Foreclosure Resister Catherine Lennon Gives Harold Steidel a Hug of Support at Wells Fargo Protest
Just days after Take Back the Land Rochester and Occupy Rochester publicly vowed to set up an encampment and eviction blockade at 107 Clay Ave. if the bank came to evict the Steidel family, Freddie Mac called off the controversial eviction slated for this week in order to try to find a permenant settlement between Wells Fargo and the Steidel family. This incredible premilinary victory follwed a dramatic turn of events that included a public appeal from the family, invervention by Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY-28), a protest at Wells Fargo, and Freddie Mac announcing that they were banning their notorious foreclosuure law firm, Steven J. Baum (the law firm for the Steidel foreclosure and eviction), from handling their cases. The people united will never be defeated.
What: Demonstration to protest Wells Fargo Bank's home mortgage foreclosure practices This action is particularly aimed to protest the imminent eviction of the Steidel Family of Rochester following the foreclosure of their home. Despite a tax-payer bail out of 25 billion dollars, Wells Fargo has failed to extend the same efforts to help families stay in their homes.
Why: For 37 years, the Steidel family prospered in Rochester. In 2007, Harold Steidel’s company, Shadel, employed 100 predominately minority employees and was listed in the Top 100 Companies in Rochester. Maria served the community as Minister of the 1st Pentacostal Church Shalom Adonai on Seneca Ave. In 2008, due in part to the economic collapse, Harold’s business closed. Now, after repeated attempts to work out an agreement with Wells Fargo and Freddie Mac, their home was foreclosed and they now face eviction. The family has the means to pay all past due funds and make ongoing payments, yet, as early as November 17, they could be forced out of their home.
When: Monday, November 14, 2011, 12:00-1:00 PM.
WHERE: Wells Fargo Advisors, 1200 Pittsford Victor Road, between 490 and Eastview Mall, just past Garnsey
Submitted by liberateyourcom... on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 22:10
Catherine Lennon is going to have her day in court. On Tuesday evening NY State Supreme Court Judge Anne Marie Taddeo called off the controversial eviction of Catherine Lennon which was scheduled for Wednesday, August 17. Ms. Lennon and Take Back the Land Rochester were preparing for a second eviction defense, including a nonviolent eviction blockade which would have happened Wednesday.
Judge Taddeo has reopened the original foreclosure case and requested that Countrywide/Bank of America defend their original foreclosure which was riddled with irregularities. Countrywide/Bank of America and Catherine Lennon are schedule to appear in NY State Supreme Court on August 30, 2011.
Submitted by liberateyourcom... on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 16:39
Wednesday, August 17 at 11:00am at 9 Ravenwood there will be a protest and nonviolent eviction blockade to stop the unjust eviction of Cathy Lennon from her home.
Submitted by liberateyourcom... on Fri, 08/12/2011 - 17:42
Today, August 12, Cathy Lennon appeared in Rochester City Court to defend her home. Ms. Lennon was evicted in March and moved back into her home without permission in May. Fannie Mae, the recipient of $90 billion of taxpayer money, aggressively moved to evict Cathy from her home a second time. Judge Castro granted a warrant of eviction and 72 hours to vacate the home on 9 Ravenwood. Interestingly, Judge Castro seemed most interested and embarrassed by the fact that he was the judge who originally moved to evict Cathy's family in March and seemed to take offense that she moved back into her house and was trying to save it. What the judge didn't seem interested in was that Cathy had filed a order in a higher court to overturn the original foreclosure or that there seem to be many illegalities in original foreclosure process or that this family will be homeless again or that Rochester has thousands of vacant houses. Judge Castro is just one of many judges pushing foreclosure-based evictions through the system as quickly as possible without scrutinizing the criminal practices of the banks.
Currently, the eviction is schedule for Wednesday August 17, 2011. If the Marshal comes on that day, Ms. Lennon, Take Back the Land Rochester, and other supporters will be there in protest. Stay tuned for more information.
Nearly a year after the unjust foreclosure of her home by Bank of America and Fannie Mae, and her notorious eviction – first prevented, then defended by Take Back the Land Rochester, and later carried out by nearly two dozen Rochester Police, garnering international attention and outrage for excessive police support of criminal bank behavior – Catherine Lennon finally expected her day in court on Friday, December 2, 2011. Lennon has maintained that she was never properly served notice of foreclosure or told when her home went to auction, and supporters found her foreclosure documents full of irregularities and forgery. In response to an Order to Show Cause by the NYS Supreme Court, the banks' attorney, 
Today, August 12, Cathy Lennon appeared in Rochester City Court to defend her home. Ms. Lennon was evicted in March and moved back into her home without permission in May. Fannie Mae, the recipient of $90 billion of taxpayer money, aggressively moved to evict Cathy from her home a second time. Judge Castro granted a warrant of eviction and 72 hours to vacate the home on 9 Ravenwood. Interestingly, Judge Castro seemed most interested and embarrassed by the fact that he was the judge who originally moved to evict Cathy's family in March and seemed to take offense that she moved back into her house and was trying to save it. What the judge didn't seem interested in was that Cathy had filed a order in a higher court to overturn the original foreclosure or that there seem to be many illegalities in original foreclosure process or that this family will be homeless again or that Rochester has thousands of vacant houses. Judge Castro is just one of many judges pushing foreclosure-based evictions through the system as quickly as possible without scrutinizing the criminal practices of the banks. 
