Wednesday, May 26 2004

Memphis Shows Support for National Housing Justice Memorial Day

The Memphis Center for Independent Living organized an action in front of the building at 200 Jefferson Avenue, home of the local Department of Housing and Urban Development office, HUD, in Memphis, Tennessee. The action was in response to the attack on Section 8 by the Deputy Secretary of Housing Alfonso Jackson.

At HUD offices across the nation groups held similar actions for National Housing Justice Memorial Day. Local protesters held their signs proudly and found many passer bys that showed their support for the full funding of Section 8 by signing support letters that were faxed to HUD and mailed to Mr. Jackson. The protesters were calling for HUD, Deputy Secretary Jackson, to rescind the issuance of the April 22, 2004, PIH 2004-7 a memorandum, which could result in lost housing for 250,000 families across the country.

Although there was no blocking of the doors or the sidewalk, Memphis Police showed up because of a complaint that protesters were harassing pedestrians and blocking the sidewalk. The action was allowed to continue with the agreement that we would not “cluster” in too large of a group or appear to be blocking the sidewalk. 

In all the protesters handed out over 50 letters and gathered 46 signed letters. In addition they talked to numerous folks that walked by. Almost all supported the action. 

We must remain vigilant. The cuts Deputy Secretary Jackson has initiated will have numerous ill effects on low-income housing, potentially costing 250,000 families to lose their vouchers. The most disappointing fact is congress fully funded HUD for all current vouchers, but because of the actions taken by Deputy Secretary Alfonso Jackson, many will lose their housing assistance.

All citizens who find this alarming can have their voices heard. Call or write Alfonso Jackson and demand he rescind his April 22nd memo (PIH-2004-7) at U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410 or telephone: (202) 708-1112 TTY: (202) 708-1455

For more information you are always welcome to call MCIL to ask questions, seek more information or ask what you can do to help.

FREE OUR PEOPLE!

Randy Alexander
Memphis Center for IL
1633 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
901/726-6404