EVICTION BLOCKADE: "THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING"
VIDEO:
www.youtube.com/watch
November 17th, 2009
On Tuesday, the Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign kicked off its first day with a successful blockade at the home of Lenise Forrest, a community member and mother of two. At 9AM on November 17, supporters began arriving to blockade the house from eviction, and with the increasing police presence circling the block, many people were wondering what would happen next.
Supporters were prepared to stand between Lenise's family and the police to prevent the eviction of the family. Then, just as the corporate news arrived, the police suddenly, and uncoincidentally, disappeared.
After the press conference the police stayed away most of the time, and the threat of eviction dwindled. In all, the eviction blockade turned out to be not a clash with police, but instead a great community building event in which people from all parts of chicago came together in solidarity.
Forrest is currently still living in her home with her family, but her fight is not over and she is not the only one. Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign has requested more people to become involved immediately. They argue that this is a concrete direct action campaign to take the system head on and increase the power of our communities.
To learn more or get involved, email:
antieviction (at) gmail.com