Activists from the anti-foreclosure movement around the country joined local organizers last week to celebrate several successful Twin Cities battles to stave off evictions and keep people in their homes.
Hip-hop artist Brother Ali hosted the event and performed in the back yard of the house belonging to Monique White in north Minneapolis. In June, Ali was arrested during demonstrations in support of another family fighting foreclosure.
About 200 people attended the event at White's house Wednesday night, including 45 housing activists from around the country. Occupy Homes MN conducted a successful seven-month campaign against Freddie Mac and U.S. Bank after White lost her job and defaulted on her mortgage in 2009. She won a reduced mortgage in May.
Jillia Pessenda, an Occupy Homes organizer, said two other families her group supported, Ruby Brown of Minneapolis and Frank and Kristina Clark of Coon Rapids, also won mortgage modifications.
