National People's Action

Over a long weekend in April, I traveled to Washington D.C. with a group of Lakeview Action Coalition members to attend the National People’s Action (NPA) annual conference.  The theme for NPA’s 40^th conference was “40 Years Toward Justice.”  Over 500 people attended with the purpose of collective action for justice, and “to take back our democracy and economy from the corporations and 1% that have stolen them from us.”

As soon as our group arrived in Washington, we joined a rally and march organized by National Nursed United around the “Robin Hood Tax.”  We were even given felt Robin Hood hats to wear.  It was energizing to be with so many people who are passionate about change on that sunny day, even after a 14 hour bus ride.  What was the purpose of this rally and march to the federal reserve?  We wanted to bring awareness and encourage Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and the White House Representative Keith Ellison’s proposed “Inclusive Prosperity Act” that would create a small tax on big Wall Street transactions.  This is a tax of ½ of a percent or less on big Wall Street transactions, which could generate up to $350 billion each year for investments in America -- health care, fighting HIV/AIDS, jobs, safety net, fighting climate change, and affordable housing. 

On Sunday, I participated in a breakout session on Housing Justice, where member organizations shared and strategized what we could do to ensure safe affordable housing for all.  I was proud to share the efforts LAC, who has organized around the decline of affordable SROs, lobbied for affordable units with the developer of the former site of Children’s Hospital, and demanding that CHA lease up their available units to individuals and families in need.   I learned about more work we can be doing around defining affordability, and eliminate barriers for returning citizens.

Sunday afternoon (after my chance meet up for lunch with former LPCS Case Management Intern Katie McNamara) was time for some direct action.  I found it incredibly powerful to join with over 500 people to put pressure Ed Demarco, the FHFA Acting Director to resign so that we can finally fix millions of loans and keep families in their homes.  Imagine the neighbors’ surprise when all of the people were on Ed DeMarco’s front lawn!  The voice of the people was heard by Obama, who nominated Representative Mel Watts to be the new regulator of Fannie Mae.  An article in the Huffington Post yesterday suggested that “Housing Activists Convince Obama to Dump

Additionally, we put pressure on Eugene Ludwig, of the “Fix the debt” campaign, a front group for corporations who want to avoid paying their fair share of taxes by making middle class and working families pick up their tab. 

Monday, our last day in the nation’s capitol was our chance to spend time on Capitol Hill.  NPA conference members attended the Senate Judiciary Hearing on Immigration, putting pressure on legislators to keep families together, who become torn apart by current immigration laws.  After the hearing, we split into our own organizations’ groups to meet with state legislators on Capitol Hill.

The group of LAC leaders who took the trip included Mary and Norm.  Mary currently lives in transitional housing, after becoming homeless due to job loss when experiencing medical problems.  Norm lives at the Lakeview YMCA has been working hard to preserve the single room occupancy (SRO) housing in the community.  The issues that we are advocating to solve in this community are part of national campaigns.  Attending the conference with so many others who fight for justice adds to my passion for working one on one with Guests in an effort toward solving homelessness and advocating for economic justice. 

On the last day of National People’s Action conference, the symbolism of butterflies struck me, creating an overlap between personal change for our Guests and community change regarding immigration reform.  I had not known until NPA conference that Monarch butterflies have become a powerful symbol of beauty and freedom for the immigrant rights movement.  Every year, monarch butterflies fly thousands of miles over the invisible borders that separate Canada, the United States and Mexico, and then return.  Their migration is natural.  Another natural process is the ability to create change in one’s life.  Our annual fundraising gala, Metamorphosis Party, symbolizes the empowerment of our Guests to make positive change in their lives.

 

By: Brianne Spresser