Report Back from Cheri Honkala Talk

On Wednesday March 24th 2010, Cheri Honkala, the National Organizer of the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC), spoke at SUNY Brockport. After her “Homelessness in the Age of Foreclosures” lecture she made her way to the Flying Squirrel Community Space to speak with members of SWAA (Social Welfare Action Alliance), Rochester Students for a Democratic Society and other organizers for the Rochester community. Cheri spoke about many critical aspects of starting anti-foreclosure and housing takeovers. She explained how she began her organizing efforts and some ways that we can begin creating that same movement in our community. One of the first important jump off points Cheri mentioned was building a relationship with families in foreclosure and the homeless. Other topics that were discussed were creating a solid legal team, how to begin direct action and takeovers, and situations you may encounter when building a movement. Over the years that PPEHRC has been organizing, their main goal has really been based on bringing people together. People fighting the same fight, of every color, religion, age, as well as active supporters of the cause. With our economy crashing more and more are being forced out into the streets. They are challenging the stereotype of homeless people as lazy, alcoholic, inner-city, mostly non-white families looking for hand-outs. Cheri is not fighting for people to be wealthy, she is fighting for the millions in poverty to just be able to survive. This fight is for an opportunity for everyone to exist with basic human rights as well as afford those rights. All who attended were very inspired by Cheri, and are now ready to take the steps necessary to slowly but surely build up a community that benefits everyone.