Stop Detroit Tax Foreclosures -- Sign Petitions Today

MWRO is working with local organizations to defend the right to housing and stop the nearly 75,000 tax-foreclosures scheduled to happen this year in Wayne County, Michigan, where Detroit is located.

Please help us get out information to people at risk of home tax-foreclosure due to incorrect tax bills with exaggerated property assessments and disputed water bill liens. Here's how you can help:

(1) Sign and share the online petition to the Wayne County Treasurer against the tax-foreclosures at http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50109/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=15875

(2) Call MWRO at 313-964-0618 if you are in the Detroit area and want us to mail (or email) a hard copy of the petition form to you to collect signatures from families and friends.

(3) Share information about free tax clinics in March for person in need of information on their housing rights and payment plan opportunities BEFORE meeting with Wayne County tax officials. The tax foreclosure clinics are coordinated by community attorneys at United Community Housing Coalition and the Detroit People's Platform. See flyers below.

We will update this information as it becomes available. For more information, contact MWRO at info@mwro.org or Aaron at the Detroit People's Platform at HomesForAll@DetroitPeoplesPlatform.org

MWRO Statement on UN visit to Detroit to investigate massive water shutoffs--Part 1

This is the first of a two-part statement from MWRO on the United Nations visit to Detroit by two Special Rapporteurs on Detroit water shutoffs.

On Oct. 20th, 2014, United Nations representatives Catarina de Albuquerque and Leilani Farha met with Mayor Mike Duggan and part of his staff to discuss the recent mass water shutoffs plaguing Detroit.

U.N. Special Rapporteurs. Photo credit: theguardian.com

The meeting was very frank and at times contentious with the Special Rapporteurs (SR) asking questions based on citizen/resident reports they had received from what they refer to as “civil society” organizations and direct visits to residential homes. The premise of the meeting was itself historic in that this was a session to discuss best practices, shared by the SRs, relative to how decreasing revenues might impact water access, distribution and sanitation specifically in low-income households. The two special investigators have amassed a myriad of expertise over the years after visiting many countries that have faced dwindling economies and transient populations.

Amid a flurry of “denials” and veiled attempts to discredit the intention(s) of these two specialists, the SRs continued to press for answers about recent water shutoffs. The session went back and forth until Mayor Duggan stepped up and suggested he would be interested in receiving detailed information about any current residents without water. The Mayor placed a call at the suggestion of the MWRO rep to the phone center and was able to get right through to someone without a long wait. This single act proved the City’s case that new practices are being put in place to address resident complaints — the problem is that these procedures aren’t reaching the poorest and most vulnerable residents. Long waits on the phone to the Detroit Water and Sewerage Dept. have been a frequent complaint and we hope, at least in this instance, progress is being made. In the end, what was suggested is that specific account information would be needed to examine any claims of denied water and the City would look into each case that was submitted.

Detroit Mayor Duggan with Alexis Wiley. Photo credit: clickondetroit.com

Since that historic session, several things have occurred. The City has issued statements that paint the Special Rapporteur’s visit as “nothing but a show.” One city employee, Alexis Wiley, the Mayor’s chief of staff, labeled their initial report as “sad” suggesting they were following a separate agenda that did not reflect the truth about water shutoffs in Detroit. Another City employee suggested that information gathered by talking with a few residents did not rise to actual truth, and that only through talks with the City were facts able to be put forward. Residential interpretations were not credible, in other words, and were not to be validated. There are none so blind than those who refuse to see!

In 2005, 2006, and 2007 — the Water Affordability Plan was submitted to the DWSD after is was tweaked and then accepted by the City Council and the then Mayor. Always, it is said there are legal reasons why this wonderfully crafted document can’t be implemented. And always when we ask, “Why not?” no credible answers are shared. The corporate interests that have lined up in great anticipation of receiving mega-infusions of cash is the logical place to search for the financial support needed to help shore up the City. Revenue sharing, unpaid commercial and corporate water accounts, so many places to look for untapped resources yet the then Emergency Manager’s only goal, it appears, was to inflict economic and physical pain on the most marginalized, most vulnerable, the poorest.

Over and over again, the City has suggested that those unable to find resources to help prevent shutoff or restore water already shut off were not truthful or that they were too dumb to find simple information. The old, tired, “people want free water” message was dragged out, a phrase that is repeated even though no one ever asked for that. It was revealed that the City has always practiced water shutoffs, and that was an established practice never before challenged. It was admitted that some 300,000 water shutoffs have happened over a period of years, a fact the City was not ashamed to admit. Must have felt the same rage and shock like those in the room in Nuremberg during that trial, listening to soldiers talking about how they were just following orders....

Shutting off water in Detroit. Photo credit: detroitnews.com

The Special Rapporteurs’ questions and the session ended in about 90 minutes, after which they traveled back to their hotel to prepare the press release for the media. Their specific UN conclusions are online, which include a strong recommendation that all residential water accounts be restored, which allows the City to investigate each address to determine if there are low-income families with children, the disabled, the elderly, or veterans living there who need supportive programs that structure payments they can afford. There are other recommendations the SRs offered, that have been published far and wide that address other ways of managing delinquent water payments that other nations routinely employ.

In closing, MWRO agrees with the basic, fundamental conclusion offered by our international guests. Because the population of Detroit has dropped, because the unemployment numbers have risen, because the good paying auto-industrial jobs have disappeared, and because many of the jobs available today are low-paying, the City still has a legal obligation to supply clean water and sanitation to all — even if only one resident is left! It is in fact a violation of international law to deprive residents of water if they are too poor to pay in the regular way. Ms. de Albuquerque and Ms. Farha were not daunted by Mayor Duggan and his staffs comments. Clearly, they don’t understand the UN reps’ mission.

This is not a popularity contest that is directed by who we like and who we don’t. It is patently wrong to disconnect water where low-income people live, and no amount of “American Exceptionalism” can alter that fact. There are millions of poor Americans who live in horrible conditions that are ignored daily while we act as if all is well; and Detroit has a large share of those families.

The responses coming from the City are at best shallow, defensive, ignorant, and at least, devoid of compassion. What kind of city is this and what kind of people are in charge who would countenance such demonic practices? Are our elected officials so drunk with power that they would choose not to find a way to keep the poorest residents safe and clean? Why didn’t someone in city government stand up when the emergency manager made this life-threatening recommendation and scream to the highest star how wrong it is and that as duly-elected officials, you would not force-march masses of Detroit residents into the crematoriums of poverty and torture?

Thousands march in Detroit against water shutoffs. Photo credit: michiganradio.org

Why did it take strangers, trained in recognizing violations against humanity, to shine a light on these dark-age practices and call them out for what they are? This is the best example of how the recognition of class differences have surfaced because we have different ethnic races of administrators, both men and women, both young and old who have been part of this sorry episode of residential infliction of pain. Our elected city officials would have found continued comfort in the torture of low-income people had they not had the covers of gross negligence pulled from them exposing what all knew but few had the courage to declare.

Along with our city officials stand many of the members of the clergy from all denominations, who have stood in silence while the torture of the most vulnerable has unfolded. The Spirit that many profess to serve has been waiting for you all to discover your courage or your voice or at least your crippled-hand gripped around a pen where you could author an anonymous note decrying what has been happening relative to these water shutoffs. I try daily to forgive your cowardice and hope only that when you make your transition to the afterlife, that the fires of “hell” are unkind to you.

We hope the legal violations identified by the two Special Rapporteurs find their way sooner as written charges to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, and also to the U.S. State Dept. All nations should be alerted about these international violations so that sanctions might be discussed and even levied to make this practice stop. The U.S. government is ultimately responsible to secure the human rights of the most vulnerable and that task lies first with our ‘beloved’ mayor, then with the county executive, then with the governor, and lastly with all presidents.

As a field general in the army of social justice for vulnerable, low-income populations, it falls to me and mine to keep this battle in the face of all humanity and to take every opportunity to convince those in power that their salvation lies in distancing themselves from the “dark” side in favor of protecting, serving, and advancing the quality of life for all.

Maureen D. Taylor
State Chairperson, MI Welfare Rights Organization

International Appeal to Stop Detroit Water Shut Offs

Detroit residents and activists are calling global attention to the city's water crisis where the Detroit Water and Sewerage Dept is scheduling 3,000 shutoffs per week to low income families. This human rights violation is being condemned by national and international social and economic justice groups who believe water is life and can never be denied to human beings.

Maude Barlow's Blue Water Project with Food & Water Watch, Michigan Welfare Rights Organization and the Detroit People's Water Board has drafted a report to the United Nations Special Rapporteur calling on authorities to stop the shut offs and restore water to those who have been cut off. Read the public announcement about this water shut off crisis.

Please help us in this effort by signing the petition: "Tell Detroit to turn the taps back on: Water is a human right!" directed to President Obama and Governor Snyder. 

More information can be found on the MWRO facebook and MWRO twitter pages.

A Call for Progressive Action

Calling Progressives: Geoffrey Fieger, Monica Lewis-Patrick, Jeff Edison, Rev. Ed Rowe, Ed Deeb, Nasser Beydoun, Rev. Bullock, Magic Johnson, Cornelius Pitts, JoAnn Watson, and all of the visionaries of Michigan...where the hell is our fight and our capacity to dump Snyder?

Photo from http://inthesetimes.com/images/articles/RIGHT_TO_WORK.jpg

A grassroots initiative is being mounted to lead and to galvanize our resources and talents in an effort to stem the tidal wave of attacks against our quality of life and we need all-on-deck to pull together the required dollars. 

The governor speaks about a "surplus," but doesn't mention where these funds came from. In Auschwitz and Buchenwald, there were surpluses as well...extra eye glasses, extra teeth, extra pairs of pants, dresses, socks, shoes, etc. 

Thousands of welfare mothers and their children were stripped of the meager cash assistance they were living on during a time of extreme unemployment across MI. Mental Health sites had their funding slashed or zeroed-out, entire public education systems closed, state funding owed to Detroit and other urban cities was not paid, pensions were taxed, and the greatest insult of all was the coronation of an EM who gets paid $1000/per hour -  $8,000 a day. 

A welfare mom with one child is entitled to $420/mo - $5040/per year! $8,000 per day versus $5,040 per yr?

Millions of our tax dollars are being paid out to scoundrels -- friends of the ones who helped put us in our current dilemma -- while we are being told day after day that we are a poor and backward city.  No more of this torture!

We need to amass $1 million dollars so we can run ads about "right to work," about how banks are destroying our neighborhoods, about EM's being put over bankrupt cities who are paid 3 and 4 times what elected officials earn, and how the plan is to sell-off our city assets to their families and friends at our expense.

-- What happened to democracy?
-- What happened to union workers who seem to have lost their voices and their courage?
-- What happened to our right to vote? 
-- What happened to our once progressive, militant churches who too often today stand in silence?
-- What happened to our standard of living and our right to look forward to better lives for our children?

Let's pull together, raise the money we need to mount state-wide campaigns, and let's inflict political casualties on their side instead of working people who are always suffering. We may not have Koch brothers money, but we for damned sure have millions of "boots on the ground" from which we can mount a non-violent offensive in Michigan from top to bottom, and from left to right! 

"I went down to the rich-man's house...to take back what he stole from me..."  Stay tuned for plans of action...

"At some point, silence suggests complicity."

Maureen D. Taylor, 
State Chairperson, MWRO 

Fighting for "Housing Is a Human Right"

It's Winter again and every year we know temperatures are going to go below the freezing point. If you're homeless or living in poverty, there's no way to escape the cold and protect yourself from the pain of freezing wind on your skin without shelter.

Yet, across the country, thousands of cities and municipalities are tearing down thousands of low-income affordable housing units (aka public housing) in favor of mixed income housing. The problem is if you have no income or chance of a living wage job (like thousands of people in Detroit),  and you've been drastically time-limited off of public assistance (like Gov. Snyder has done to thousands of families across Michigan), what are your housing options?

These are questions MWRO and the Housing is a Human Rights Coalition discuss on a daily basis. You ask, but aren't there places where low income people (under 62 years old) can get housing assistance and take shelter?

Detroit Shelter. Photo courtesy: VoiceOfDetroit.net

• Forget the homeless shelters, they're full and oftentimes not safe spaces for children.
• Forget Section 8, the wait list (if you can get on one) is 2-4 years long.
• Forget HUD public housing projects, thousands of units are torn down annually and those that get saved are converted to senior housing apartments.
• Forget privately managed apartment buildings, they require credit checks, large deposits, first and last month rents, steady income, silent children and babies -- oh, yeah...and a pint of blood.

In fact, more people are being displaced from Detroit affordable housing as we post this:  Developers, HUD, Non-Profits Collude To Move Detroit Seniors, Disabled Out Of Downtown Griswold Apts.

In Detroit and across the state of Michigan millions of dollars in federal housing assistance aid come through (like the Step Forward Program) to help families prevent foreclosure and to keep homeless shelters running. These are surely needed funds.

But what we also need are programs and policies to rebuild good housing stock in Detroit -- not tear it down -- specifically for LOW INCOME families. At this time there are no public officials, private developers, non-profit organizations or housing authorities addressing this critical need.

MWRO and HHRC are working with local residents and officials to educate the community on this dire situation and build solutions. We invite you to learn more about this on the HHRC website.

To sign up for our next set of housing workshops, call MWRO at (313) 964-0618.

Emergency Managers Attack Our Democracy

As we prepare to take a bus load of low income people to the Michigan Supreme Court tomorrow, here's another reminder of why this Emergency Manager issue is so significant. Governor Snyder and corporations are trying their hardest to take away our democracy. We've got to stop them from taking away from our families and communities any more of the little we've got left!

Read more about this: Dictators Over Communities of Color: Coming to a Town Near You at Michigan Forward.

Democracy Under Attack Through Appeals Court

Dear Colleagues:

You can't make this stuff up. Here we are waiting for these almost four weeks for the appeals judges to render a decision on the public petition signatures against Public Act 4, and this is what they come up with.

First page of Court of Appeals decision

The font size, THEY CLAIM, is wrong but even still, the standard is substantially compliant, which MANDATES that they allow this issue to go on the ballot -- a great victory for our side -- and an issue that seems strange since the call is for democracy to take place by letting the electorate vote on this critical issue. Why all of these legal ranglings?

WE have to get the language for the ballot initiative set up, printed out and approved by August 8, 2012 in time for the November election. Shouldn't we all be in support of that American tenet -- "let the voters decide"?

Their suggestion is that these three appeals court judges call a meeting of all 28 state appeals court judges, and from that group, select a smaller group of seven who will review the "substantially compliant" decision rendered years ago, overturn it, and follow thru with overturning every other similar supportive decision rendered from that date forward until they arrive at THIS issue as a basis to overturn our efforts. WOW!!!

This damned democracy is too freaking dangerous and must be done away with. Gov. Snyder has now become the law of the land, and we must knuckle-under when he wants to overthrow elections then hand-pick managers who do his bidding. No more back talk! No further grievances will be filed.  Abandon any further uppity expectations that the old rule of law is to be followed. Things have changed, so you should all get with the program and quickly!

Colleagues, I urge you to all stop these foolish road blocks and attempts to circumvent the will of our new masters who believe themselves to know more than we do. The "spirit of democracy" that we grew up with is an old adage, stale, decayed, unproductive, and not what the country needs anymore. WE need to stand behind the "new world order," allow our rights as ordinary citizens to be trampled and prove our collective love of country by bearing these assaults in silence and with total compliance.

Last page of Court of Appeals decision

The hour of decision is close at hand, and so each of us have to decide what do we want the nation to look like: If we want peace, if we want silent-suffering, if we want give the appearance of all getting along, we will bear these moments as good little boys and girls, quietly praying for a good outcome. Or, we will chose what is behind door #2...resistance! 

This damned democracy was not everyone's rule.  We were taught this concept when we came to this country. Some arrived on the top or in the bottom of the boat, and others greeted and welcomed these travelers when they arrived on shores already populated by natives. We listened to it, sounded like it could work, and we bought into the "hype" that we are all equal in the eyes of democracy.  This ruling says something else.

Events of late have demonstrated a new paradigm that all have heard of, "money talks, and B-S walks." Every life is at stake. Every hope is in peril. Every wish is in danger. Every democratic right is in the line of fire and there are fingers on triggers at the ready. The future of mankind is in the balance.

Each of us has to now decide in the face of such a shocking ruling by the Appeals Court judges what direction does the country now need to go if we are to protect the State and the Nation. If the "ballot box" is no longer the pathway to social justice, and the court system is no longer the bus we can ride to take us there, then what mechanism do we use to secure the lives and freedoms of our children?  You either stand down in silence, or you RESIST, ORGANIZE, and WIN. You get what you organize to take.

Maureen D. Taylor

State Chairperson - MWRO

Stand Up for Democracy vs MI Secretary of State

Local news stations have shared the correspondence that Michigan Governor Snyder has offered an opinion to the Appeals Judges who are about to render a decision whether or not to certify the signature process aimed at placing Public Act #4 on the November ballot. He asks in his memo that these Judges NOT impede his forward momentum by certifying this effort.

We have a position as well. We would ask that these Judges NOT impede the people's right to democracy. 

So bizarre are these events relative to the petition activity that even the attention of national newscasters (like Rachel Maddow) has been captured each noting that nowhere else in the nation has so little been written about so huge an event. Over turning elections has a history.

Public Act 4, the emergency manager act, is the crux of what we are alarmed about. It allows the Governor, so he thinks, to void state and local elections in places where the finances of that municipality are stressed, and a person of his choosing is seated who answers only to the Governor.  This "dictator law" has no successful outcome anywhere in the State and, in every example, has led to even deeper financial debt as the assets of the people are sold to the highest bidder at pennies on the dollar.

Benton Harbor had a deficit and after the emergency manager was seated, the deficit is three times greater. Pontiac had a deficit and has a greater one today. The Detroit School District had a deficit and it has grown to a much larger number under the forced emergency manager. So one would ask, what the real agenda is with this outrageous act?

Attacking democracy is no small matter. It starts small -- a little less democracy here, a little less there, and before you know it people are convinced that to appoint officials must be the right thing to do because it keeps happening! 

That pesky "democracy" is getting in the way of what corporations want, so efforts to sideline it are underway across the State.  How egregious is it that the once mighty Pontiac Silverdome, that was the "mecca" of sports and other major events costed out at $55 million when it was first built, was sold for $500,000 just months ago? This businessman has now named the same emergency manager in charge of that sale to his team as he prepares to retrofit the Silverdome for the newest casino owned by him!

We are heading into deep, dark waters and should prepare ourselves for street to street battle.

On Thursday, all segments of the State will learn a valuable lesson about what is taught in civics and  government class in local schools: Do the people have a right to redress? Maybe not anymore. Can the size of the print on a petition be enough to disqualify the will of just under 240,000 people?  Apparently yes. Can a representative of the Tea Party, the Republican party or any party be allowed to tamper with this American process in such a way that democracy is sacrificed?  Don't know yet. No lover of freedom and open government can stand by and let such an action take place.

If you are able, come to the State Bldg at Cadillac Place, 3020 W. Grand Blvd, Suite 14-300 (at Second St) in Detroit on Thursday, May 17th, no later than 9am. Stand and watch as we look to see if democracy still stands. "...oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, over the land of the free and the home of the brave?" Democracy has been stolen.  The outcome of this Appeals Court hearing will reveal a great message and will help clarify what stage of this battle we are entering. 
 
MD Taylor
MWRO State Chairperson

Rachel Maddow on Michigan Republicans and Public Act 4

Rachel Maddow, host of MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show, talks about Michigan Republican legislative attempts to strip democracy, plus the emergency financial manager law in Michigan. She calls these attempts to preempt the people's will as autocratic and the most radical Republican threats to democracy in the U.S -- we couldn't agree more!

Hear for yourself:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Benefits Shut Off for 41,000 Michigan Welfare Recipients

(repost from Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Fri, Sep 30, 2011)

On Saturday, Oct. 1, 41,000 Michigan welfare recipients will lose cash benefits in the amount of approximately $515 each. Gov. Rick Snyder capped maximum welfare payments at 48 months. Several Michigan recipients filed a class action lawsuit to overturn the four-year cap. 

Five years was the original cap on cash assistance for welfare. In some cases, extensions were available for those in need. The lawsuit says that the welfare cap violates the due process clause of the 14th amendment. They claim that the cutoff notices were vague and generic. The plaintiffs are asking a federal judge to issue a temporary restraining order against the cap. 

Exemptions are available for those with disabilities that make them unable to work. Those over 65, caring for a disabled spouse or child, who don't qualify for social security or who receive low benefit payments may also get an extension. 

There is some concern among taxpayers about what qualifies a person as unable to work. Chronic alcoholism, drug addicts and obesity are three problematic disabilities. These don't qualify specifically as handicaps, but some of the resulting health conditions do qualify them. There is also concern about how welfare payments, especially food stamps, are spent. 

Welfare cash assistance cuts aren't the only economic issue plaguing Michigan. Cuts are happening everywhere. In August, 11.2 percent of Michiganders were unemployed. Let's look at Michigan's deteriorating economy, by the numbers.

• 2.5 million: People in Michigan who receive one or more form of welfare benefits.

• 220,000 thousand: People in Michigan who receive cash benefits. The four-year cap would reduce it to 180,000 people.

• 21,000-25,000: The number of welfare recipients in Detroit alone (Michigan's largest city) who had their cash benefits cut.

• 30,000: The number of children in Michigan who will lose welfare benefits. 

Read the rest of this article at Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben | Yahoo! Contributor Network. 

Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben writes about people, places, events and issues in "Pure Michigan."

Screen shot from Michigan League for Human Services.

Sacrificing Children to Enrich Corporations and Politicians

Our good friends at the Sierra Club in Detroit have been following up on the public assistance cuts to families signed by Michigan Governor Snyder and have learned several more distressing facts:

1. As of October 1, 2011: 11,000 people will be cut off from welfare benefits, and that will continue through until 40,000 people are eliminated from the system. 75% THOSE PEOPLE WILL BE CHILDREN WITH THE AVERAGE AGE OF 7 YEARS OLD.
2. Unemployment insurance was cut from a 24 weeks to 20 by the state.
3. The Low Income Energy Efficiency Fund which gave DHS, THAW and Salvation Army energy assistance funding every year -- adding to $575million in help for the poor since 2002 -- has been completely eliminated by ABATE and the Attorney General and the Michigan Court of Appeals; although federal money is still available, it is not enough to cover the gap.
4. College students are no longer eligible for food aid, a much needed subsidy.
5. There is now a lifelong cap of 48 months for those who receive assistance.
6. Most of the assistance cuts will be to renters, disproportionately effecting women.
7. These cuts have a secondary effect of increasing domestic violence.
8. If utility service is cut from the home, children must be removed by law from the family and home. And, yes, the foster care system is hiring.
9. NO ONE IS EXEMPT: Persons with mental disabilities are not exempt from the cuts, recent mothers are exempt for only 2 months after birth, victims of domestic violence exempt for 3 months and caretakers of persons with disabilities for 12 months.
10. THE STATE OF MICHIGAN WILL SAVE $68 MILLION IN TAX DOLLARS FROM STARVING CHILDREN. 

MEANWHILE, corporations will receive $1.8 billion in tax breaks to ensure major profits keep flowing in -- while putting an end to Michigan’s practice of not taxing retirement income and seeking to increase taxes on Michigan's working poor! (download pdf)

"Currently, someone in the poorest 20 percent of Michigan taxpayers pays a tax rate of 8.9 percent, while someone in the richest one percent pays 5.3 percent. In addition to trying to make an unfair tax system even more problematic for Michigan’s low-income residents, Snyder has also asked that the state be given the power to dismiss local government and appoint emergency 'town managers' who could break contracts and 'strip powers from elected officials.'"

When we can no longer count on government to stand up for the weakest and sickest among us, we must determine --at all costs -- how to ensure that our children, elders and the infirmed are protected. What are you prepared to do?

Sources: Michigan Welfare Rights Organization, NAACP-Detroit, Wayne County Social Services, Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm, and Michigan League of Human Services.

Press Release: Don't Throw 25,000 Children Off Welfare and Into the Streets

Michigan Welfare Rights invites the public to join us at this Press Conference on September 8, 2011 at noon (press release below)  to denounce the upcoming welfare cuts against children. You are also invited to speak up about about other major state issues that your family is facing due to cutbacks by politicians and this wretched economy.

 

Local organizations and elected officials who oppose the cuts are invited to participate in this press conference, too.

Download Press Release

Contact Maureen Taylor, State Chair, MWRO for more information (313) 964-0618.

We're a Hungry and Broke Nation

A recent news story declared the U.S. a "Food Stamp Nation" after reporting that 46 million people -- or 15% of the population -- receive food stamp assistance. Moreover, 40% of these recipients are people with jobs but their jobs don't pay enough to live on. This might be remarkable in some corners but not here.

When the Smiley-West Poverty Tour rolled into Detroit on August 8th, they pointed out that conversations about family poverty in the U.S. are not on anyone's radar. In fact, as welfare recipients know well, people avoid talking about the poor unless they've got something disparaging to say.

While Washington politicians mull over which low income programs to cut next, we know SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) -- aka food stamps -- will be on the table. It doesn't matter that there's been an increase of 74% in food stamp recipients since 2007 due to the economic calamities that these scoundrels created.

You see, Washington politicians don't know what it's like to live on meager part-time, minimum wage jobs with no benefits, or how to make ends meet on inadequate disability, veterans or unemployment benefits. These so-called leaders have never had to decide between buying food for their children or paying their light bill. And forget about going to the doctor for annual exams -- what's that?

Politicians don't know how to create living-wage jobs either. Michigan has been hit especially hard during this recession (we know it's really a depression). The state's unemployment rates continues to be high at 10.9%, and in the Detroit metro area it's 12.5% (download PDF). 

Our neighbors to the south in Alabama continue to have food security worries worse than us where 1/3 of Alabama residents are on food stamps. Plus, from 2006 to 2008, Michigan is one of 10 states (IL, KY, ME, MO, OR, TN, WA, WV, MI and DC) that continue to have significantly higher participation rates in SNAP.

Despite the criticism, food stamps keep low income families fed and alive, and they help support what few jobs we have left in our communities. Don't let any politician choose between corporate tax breaks for their friends or food for your family.

Image from NewsOne.

Why We March June 2012: Welfare Recipients Are Expendable

The foundation on which society rests has been changed forever.

Picture Leonardo DiCaprio perched on the balcony of the Titanic, holding on to Rose's hand as the ship which has broken in half, stands straight up just before it goes into the the icy waters.  He yells out, "THIS IS IT!!"

Today, the State of Michigan shouted out the same thing: Letters went out across the State alerting all Family Independence Program (FIP) recipients that they may have reached the limit of welfare support.  A second letter will go out at a later date to select which families will be culled out of cash assistance forever -- along with a second note informing them where to go for the limited help they still may qualify for.

Governor Rick Snyder has determined that $64m dollars can be saved if MI stops caring for poor families. The death warrant was signed by the Governor on August 9th, 2011, shoving some 14,000 poor families -- all with minor children -- into some kind of "hell" where they will be killed off a little at a time.

These first 14,000 will be followed by more and more until all the poor families who have been on welfare assistance for 4 years are kicked out. They are on a train headed toward the concentration camps of wont:

First stop, Public Shelter Avenue where some get off and seek living arrangements in local shelters.  Girls go to the left, boys go to the right...train keeps moving toward its final destination.

Next stop, Foster Care Junction where some of the children are taken away from mostly mothers too poor to care for them any longer.

Third stop, Suicide Canyon where some moms so stressed, saddened and crushed by the loss of their home, their property, their support, will decide they are "bad" parents and the children would be better off without them. Or, some of the older children in these stressed families -- separated from friends, separated from school activities, can't go to the Prom -- will consider suicide-pacts as a viable option.
 
Fourth Stop, Murderer's Cave where some will resort to inward violence like we are witnessing on Channel 2,4, and 7 daily -- shootings, knifings, clubbings, killing in every shape and form committed by people already on the edge.

Final stop, the Burning Fields where the message is clear: it costs too much money to keep your family alive. Governors across the nation are examining this strategy that saves State dollars. 
 
The ASSEMBLY TO END POVERTY has called for a National MARCH ON WASHINGTON, June 30th 2011. Get involved asap. Email endpoverty2012@gmail.com, or call: (313) 964-0618.  There are 323 days left. Do Something!!! 

Image from State of Michigan

State of the Poor in Michigan

From Maureen D. Taylor, MWRO State Chair

The out-going director of the MI Dept. of Human Services, Ishmael Ahmed delivered a message today where he outlined the “State of the Poor.” The room was held spell-bound as the numbers of people new to poverty were described and the numbers of people already immersed in poverty were counted together. By his official figures, 29% of children living in this state fall below the poverty level. Between 25% and 30% of all adults are receiving food assistance, many more are entitled but don’t know that they are eligible. He lamented over the pockets of poor people living in disproportionate numbers in places like Pontiac, Flint, Saginaw, Inkster and Detroit with poverty figures at 49%. He referenced by comparison southern states that are color-coded to indicate at what level of poverty they rank. Director Ahmed described the fact that almost all of them are colored to indicate that they are at or below the poverty level. There is one state north of the “Mason-Dixon Line” with the same color - Michigan.

The tremendous loss of jobs in the manufacturing industry in southeastern MI, especially in both urban and rural cities in this state have plunged millions into abject destitution. Working people need time and resources to recover from this devastating circumstance.

Instead, what is happening is the “Great Takeover” of personal property once owned by these folks who used to have jobs.

We continue to be rendered homeless by these ravenous banks that foreclose on our family homes. We continue to see our cars repossessed by lending institutions after making faithful payments for months and years. We are dropped into the vat of destitution because we suffered a medical emergency so all of our savings evaporate leaving us vulnerable to economic predators of every design.

What are we to do? Where are we to go? Detroit used to be home for 1.4 million residents. The current census will record between 800,000 and 900,000 residents as the “Great Exodus” continues unabated of workers moving about the country in search of jobs. The next chapter of the “Grapes of Wrath” featuring wandering families is being written.

The DHS Director believes that the way to repair this crumbling system is for the grassroots mothers and fathers to take control over what needs to happen to manage these difficult times. Not speaking of the tea party approach that wants all government excluded. We must hold the government responsible for securing the basics of society – food, healthcare, public safety and education. We agree with Ish…

Image from State of Michigan DHS

Rev Pinkney House Arrest Appeal Denied

The Michigan Supreme Court has denied a hearing on the house arrest appeal of Benton Harbor preacher and activist, Rev. Edward Pinkney. This legal set back for our comrade (who was released on bond on Christmas eve 2008) comes soon after he was denied the opportunity to attend his Michigan Court of Appeals hearing on June 9, 2009. Rev Pinkney is appealing his prison sentence for quoting the Bible against a judge. The ACLU is representing Rev. Pinkney and his first amendment right.

The Rev. Louis Farrakan was one of several people who spoke on behalf of Rev. Pinkney at the Grand Rapids Court of Appeals hearing. This case has drawn the attention of many who are concerned about the political crackdown on "truth speakers" in Benton Harbor, Michigan--a mostly poor, African American town controlled by stakeholders backed by Whirlpool intent on turning the town into a golf resort destination.

For more information about Rev. Pinkney, BANCO (the grassroots group he represents), and Benton Harbor, go to the BANCO website.

Image courtesy of the Michigan Citizen.

Workers, youth open fightback at Tent City

Excerpt reposted from Workers World

By Kris Hamel
Tent City, Detroit

June 16—Hundreds of poor and working people have gathered at the National People’s Summit and Tent City in downtown Detroit to put forward the people’s vision of a future with guaranteed jobs and income, universal health care, housing and utilities, and all rights that working class people are currently denied under the capitalist system.

More than 330 people registered for the four-day event. They have come from throughout metro Detroit and Michigan—even workers from the Upper Peninsula are at Tent City. Workers and activists from Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and more are represented.

The People’s Summit and Tent City, based in Grand Circus Park from June 14-17, was called in response to the National Summit of big-business CEOs and executives being held at the General Motors Renaissance Center—GM’s world headquarters.

“They’re going to regret the closing of 14 plants and the laying off of General Motors workers, because the workers are fighting back!” said Frank Hammer, a retired United Auto Workers International representative and leader of the Autoworker Caravan, as he opened the rally after a militant demonstration outside the big-business summit today.
American Axle workers.

More than 500 workers, including many from around Michigan and Ohio, marched in front of the GM Renaissance Center demanding jobs and human needs, not corporate greed. “The workers have spoken—keep the plants open!” was one of many chants that thundered from East Jefferson Avenue as dozens of cops and private thugs stood in formation guarding the privately owned Ren Cen.

As the workers marched and rallied for jobs, Richard Dauch, CEO of American Axle and Manufacturing, Inc., addressed the capitalists inside, along with former Michigan Gov. John Engler.

Read the rest of this story at Workers World. Image courtesy of Workers World. Tent City marchers photo by LeiLani Dowell.

Wake The Hell Up!!

‘CIPIENTS SPEAK
by Maureen D. Taylor
State Chair, MWRO
May 2009

On Thursday, May 14th, 2009, most Americans woke up to the grim news that in order for Chrysler to save itself, 25% of the current dealers needed to be sacrificed. Some 789 Chrysler dealers were on a list to be closed, some as early as June 9th, after having served the master for decades. Never mind the hundreds of thousands of new families who are now facing unemployment, never mind the many community programs underwritten by these dealerships over the years, never mind the feeder businesses near by who rely on the traffic created by these car dealers - with one swipe of the pen, they will soon be “toast!”

Next comes the dreaded list issued by General Motors who will name the fate of thousands more GM dealerships that must close to save GM. All the while these horrific announcements are being made, a psychotic Wall Street reacts by closing higher, happy at the news that the Big Two are being saved by the sacrifices of millions. Is there not something insidious, sick, and diabolical about these happenings?

Perhaps what is most disturbing is the ease in which millions of car-related workers accept the premise that for America to be better, they must starve, lose healthcare, have homes taken from them, and in other ways stand “mute” while their very lives are being wrecked. The incomes offered to the next generation of workers is woefully lower than what their predecessors earned and will not allow the purchase of these hi-priced cars of the future.

The question is, where are the blue-collar and no-collar visionaries who have the answers to these current economic issues? Welfare Rights firmly believes that the solution to this deepening crisis is not to be found in the direction which we are all being pushed that calls for us to lose everything for the sake of the company. Don’t our lives and the future of our children count? Every response to the growing international crisis is one that suggests that we must bear the pain…closing schools, reduced wages, loss of retirement funds, loss of retiree health coverage, mounting foreclosures, rising domestic violence, rising suicide rates among children and veterans, rising incidents of police brutality…all things connected to rising stress levels. What do we get for our pain?

The time to bring up new ideas is now. The time to suggest a new and different course of action has arrived. The 6.5 million workers who now receive unemployment benefits must soon decide what is to be done when that last check arrives and a job has not been secured. The only answer to this greed-driven, corporate crisis is to engage in building an organized society that rests on certain foundations. People must eat, no matter what. People must have access to clean drinking water, no matter what. People and families must have homes to raise children in, no matter what. Elders deserve respect and a level of comfort, no matter what. We take care of sick people, we educate children so that they can make wise decisions as adults, we care for animals, and we live our days to serve a higher cause that includes kindness and concern.

The time has come to make a choice – “which side are YOU on?” Massa won’t let you live with him, so we must live without him. Wake the hell up!

MWRO Protests Censorship by WHPR

As reported in the Michigan Citizen, MWRO has ceased its weekly television and radio broadcast on WHPR-TV 33, 88.1FM in Highland Park, Michigan.

On Tuesday, April 21, 2009, the station owner, RJ Watkins, informed Marian Kramer and Maureen Taylor, co-hosts of the popular, "Ask Welfare Rights Show," that they would not be allowed to criticize former Highland Park Emergency Financial Manager, Arthur Blackwell--a friend and investor of Mr. Watkins.

The previous night, Marian Kramer attended the City of Highland Park City Council meeting where Mr. Blackwell and his supporters tried to distract from the firing of Mr. Blackwell who paid himself nearly $300,000 from the city--after agreeing to oversee finances for his native town for $1 per year!

MWRO and other community shows on WHPR pay an hourly fee for broadcast and production assistance. Following this censorship, the Michigan Citizen interviewed Mr. Watkins as saying that MWRO could talk about Mr. Blackwell "at home or on the telephone, but I have a right to say they don't talk about it on the air."

Marian Kramer retorted: "Maybe that is so, but it is our right to stop people from supporting the station."

Read Marian Kramer's full story about these incidents at the People's Tribune. Ms. Kramer is consulting with an attorney about reporting the matter to the proper authorities, and possibly boycotting the station.

Michigan Welfare Rights Organization broadcasted the "Ask Welfare Rights Show" on WHPR for over eight years. It provided regular updates and information about available public assistance benefits, "Know Your Rights" facts, and commentary on issues pertaining to low-income and poor people in southeast Michigan.

For more information or to voice your concern, call the MWRO office at (313) 964-0618.

(Image from MWRO)

Protect 1st Amendment of Diane Bukowski

(Partial repost from the Committee to Defend Diane Bukowski and the Freedom of the Press)

Michigan Citizen newspaper reporter, Diane Bukowski, continues her fight in court to protect her 1st Amendment right to freedom of the press.

On April 17th, Wayne Co. Circuit Court Judge Michael Hathaway partially granted the prosecutor's motion to preclude testimony in Ms. Bukowski's criminal trial that she was acting in her capacity as a reporter during the 11/4/08 high speed chase by Michigan State Troopers that ended with the death of two men.

She faces two false felony charges of "assaulting, battering, wounding, resisting, obstructing or endangering" police while covering the chase. The refusal to recognize her role is outrageous!

Neither of the troopers, John Hetfield and James Wojton, have been charged with the deaths of the victims, James Willingham and Jeffery Frazier, although they violated many MSP vehicle pursuit rules, including conducting the chase in a densely populated area without a siren.

The Michigan Citizen is recognized as one of the only Detroit newspapers that covers stories about Black and poor citizens, including issues of police brutality.

Please support this grassroots reporter by attending Friday's 4/24/09 Press Conference and Rally at 12pm at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in downtown Detroit. Call Wayne Co. Prosecutor, Kym Worthy, and ask her to end this unjust prosecution! (313) 224-5777.

On Monday, 4/27/09, help us pack Judge Hathaway's court room for Diane Bukowski's trial: 9am, Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, Room 501.

Download flyer with Bukowski details and defense committee endorsements. Read the Detroit Metro Times for a good account of this story.