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Bailed Out Banks, Where is
the Stimulus Money for Average Citizens?
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Press Release
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For Immediate Release
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Disabled Woman Fights
Yet Another Day for Her Home
Oakland, CA -
With bailed out banks saved by the taxpayers' money, many are wondering
when the banks are going to do unto others as it has been done unto
them.
Reports written the same day that Karen Mims
Karen Mims speaks to supporters.
was
scheduled to be put on the streets of Oakland, indicate the money may
not flow as easily to the everday citizen as it did to the banks: "Biggest Banks Come Up Short on Loan Modifications."
After
a two year battle, Mims, a disabled poet, writer, and singer, who lives
in East Oakland, was scheduled to be put out on the streets of Oakland
Tuesday, August 4 at the request of Aurora Loan Servicers, until
recently a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers. With the help of Just Cause
of Oakland, Acorn, Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, Council Member Larry
Reid, and Council Member at Large, Rebecca D. Kaplan, Ms. Mims has been
allowed to stay in her home until Friday, August 7.
As people
gathered at the home of Ms. Mims, Just Cause of Oakland said they were
able to stand with Mims and fight for another day due to the help of
key people including, but not limited to Ray Leon, Councilmember Larry
Reid's office, Marisol Lopez, Mayor Ron Dellums' office, Seth Kaplan
and Darryl Stewart, Supervisor Nate Miley's office, Alex Nguyen and
David Hall, of the City Attorney's office. What Just Cause termed as
"a small victory" may open the way for Mims to gain additional ground
in her quest to stay in her home.
Over the past year, Mims, has
gone through two lawyers that took her money, but did little to help as
Aurora bought Mims' loan from another company as Mims' was seeking loan
modification. "Where is the stimulus money to help people like us,"
said Mims to a crowd of neighbors, Just Cause activists and friends.
Walter Brown of WB Lending Solutions
in Walnut Creek, CA, in reviewing Mims' case said, "We're finding that
companies are having to be pushed to modify loans. Some of the most
difficult ones are some of our largest banking institutions."
Mims
situation also begs the question, "Where are the media?" Her story was
shared with media last July. Not one media outlet called to do a
story before she was forced to take her case to the people and the
streets. Click this link: Facing the Katrina of Financial Foreclosures.
No major local media attended the August 4 news conference. Mims'
situation appears to echo Dr. E. Faye Williams Esq. National
Chairperson of the National Congress of Black Women statement in a
recent news release indicating mainstream media ignore Black women. Click here to see news release.
The
lack of media attention did not keep the political leaders of Oakland
from coming out and speaking up. Representing the Mayor, Kitty Kelly
Epstein spoke to the crowd and gave additional comments to free lance
writer, Jackie Wright.
(Click Image to see video)
 Kitty Kelly Epstein represents Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums
Council Member Larry Reid sent Ray Leon to help and he took affirmative action by calling Aurora during the news conference.
(Click Image to see video)
Ray Leon of Councilmember Larry Reid's Office Phones Aurora Loan Servicers during
Just Cause news conference for Karen Mims.
Councilmember at Large, Rebecca Kaplan, addressed the crowd and also spoke with Wright.
(Click Image to see video)
Rebecca Kaplan, Oakland Councilmember at Large speaks out
One
of the telling statistics shared at the news conference is the fact
that Karen Mims is one of 4,000 people facing foreclosure in Oakland.
Just Cause and the political representatives urged people to speak out
as Ms. Mims' has and let them know what is going on with their
situations. "It important for people to know that they are not alone,"
said Ray Leon. Council Member Reid is concerned that there are people
like Ms. Mims who are responsible people that got caught up in
predatory lending situations. We are here to help the people who were
doing the right thing. We can't help those who are irresponsible."
In addition to asking people to call Aurora representatives, Nicole
Kim (legal representative) at 720-945-3217, Carrie Black (loan officer)
at (720) 945-4566 to rescind the eviction for Karen Mims, loan number:
0021802152 and have them work out an agreement with her to keep
her in her home; Just cause called for direct assistance for Ms. Mims.
Just Cause has made a plea for people to donate directly to Karen Mims
by giving a financial contribution or sending one to 9401 Cherry
Street, Oakland, CA. 94612.
Additionally, contributions to help Just Cause can be made by going to www.justcauseoakland.org. Supporters call Aurora Loan Servicers at Just Cause News Conference for Karen Mims. 
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