Detroit Greens a local of the Green Party of Michigan

For immediate release

Contact: 313-319-0870

Demonstration in Lansing at Governor Granholm’s State of State speech

Wednesday, February 3, 2010—6:00 pm

Demand that Governor Granholm use her police powers to DECLARE A STATE OF ECONOMIC EMERGENCY and Place a Two-Year Moratorium on Foreclosures, Evictions and Utility Shutoffs in Michigan.

For Transportation from Detroit call 313-887-4344

Last week New York Times columnist Bob Herbert wrote that the massive unemployment nationwide has created a national State of Economic Emergency. If there is a national State of Economic Emergency, then Michigan is its epicenter and Detroit is Ground Zero.

Today the Detroit Free Press wrote that an incredible 221,000 families in metropolitan Detroit had their utilities shut off last year, and projected an additional 150,000 utility shut-offs are likely. Since last year unemployment rose 33% is the tri-county area, to 288,000 people. A recent study by the Center for Responsible Lending noted there were 138,701 foreclosure starts in 2008-2009, and projects an additional 325,917 foreclosures over the next three years. The study noted that the state has lost $2 billion in home equity wealth due to foreclosures, with an incredible 3.25 million homes in Michigan having experienced a foreclosure-related decline in value.

The people of Michigan need emergency relief NOW to survive the economic catastrophe that we are in. We demand that Gov. Granholm exercise her authority under MCL 10.31 to declare a State of Economic Emergency in Michigan and place an immediate two year Moratorium on all Foreclosures, Evictions and Utility Shutoffs. This measure would not cost the state one dime. It simply means putting the survival of the people ahead of the profits of the banks and corporations.

We demand that the Governor apply to President Obama for money to bail out Michigan cities and towns, especially those with the highest unemployment. . We need funds for jobs for youth to rebuild the houses that have been stripped and destroyed, and money to stop the destruction of public education and services in our cities. The money for the bankers, corporations and military must go to Bailout the People!

It’s time for the Governor to at least partially make up for her years of insensitivity to the plight of the workers and poor in Michigan and subservience to the banks by finally declaring a Moratorium on Foreclosures, Evictions and Utility Shut-offs.
For more information Call 313-319-0870 or see http://www.moratorium-mi.org