Take Back the Land in Chicago

The Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign presents

Max Rameau

of Take Back the Land

"By Any Means Necessary:

Fighting Foreclosures and Housing the Homeless"

Friday, February 26th

6-8pm

Ms Sis Place

1401 E 75th Street

Chicago, IL

Refreshments will be provided

Today, the same banks that were bailed out by the government are making record profits and paying out millions in bonuses, while evicting and foreclosing on poor and working families. Come hear how people across the country are fighting back by blocking evictions and returning families to foreclosed homes.

Over the past several years, Take Back the Land gained national and international attention for their campaign to “liberate” housing by identifying vacant government owned and foreclosed homes, opening them and moving “homeless people into people-less homes.” The actions do not enjoy legal protection as the families are moved in without permission from either the banks or the government. The organization also physically defends families facing foreclosure related eviction.

Max Rameau has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post, the Associated Press, USA Today, CNN, ABC World News Tonight, Fox News, Democracy NOW!, PBS' NOW program and in the Michael Moore movie, Captialism: a Love Story.

Max argues that housing is a human right, and if governments and the market are unable to provide housing for people, then social justice organizations are morally obligated to fill vacant homes with families in need, through direct action, if necessary.

With the help of the US Human Rights Network (USHRNetwork.org), Take Back the Land is now a national initiative, calling for a May 2010 month of action, during which organizations throughout the country would engage in Take Back the Land type campaigns, including take-overs and defending families from public housing or foreclosure related evictions. Max is in the Chicago area meeting with and training organizations interested in the initiative.

Take Back the Land videos and news stories can be found at www.takebacktheland.org More information about the Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign can be found at chicagoantieviction.org/

Contact:

J.R. Fleming, Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign: antieviction@gmail.com / 312-287-7228
Max Rameau, Take Back the Land: takebacktheland@gmail.com