By Jacqueline Benster

Political activism came to downtown Burien Tuesday, Oct. 26 as a spirited group of about 20 protestors left their warm and cozy homes to face a miserable, stormy, gray morning.

The group, sponsored by Washington Community Action Network (WACAN), assembled to protest questionable foreclosure practices that have recently come to light throughout the country. South King County has been particularly hard hit by the housing crisis, with 1 in 4 homeowners underwater, meaning they owe more on their homes than their homes are worth, according to experts.

When asked why she turned out in such nasty weather, participant Jeanette Wenzel said, "People are being abused. The banks are showing no concern, and we need to stand up until things are made right."

Chanting, "Banks got bailed out, we got sold out" and "Show us the note," the protestors first visited Chase Bank at 222 S.W. 150th St. and then moved on to Bank of America at 230 S.W.152nd St.

At Chase, they peacefully occupied the lobby for about 15 minutes. After unsuccessfully trying to reach Phyllis Campbell, the Northwest board chair of Chase, WACAN spokesperson Susie Levy explained the purpose of the rally and read a list of three demands:

1. An immediate moratorium on foreclosures in all 50 states.

2. Make existing mortgages affordable by writing down principle on loans.

3. Prove that the bank has the original mortgage note before beginning foreclosure processes.

The group requested a response in writing within a week.

WACAN has been working in Washington for 30 years on social justice issues and is part of a larger organizing body, National People's Action. This particular action was prompted by allegations that banks have foreclosed on nearly 40,000 homeowners without proving that they had a legal right to do so.

According to an article in the New York Times, " . . . missing and possibly fraudulent documents are at the center of a potentially seismic legal clash that pits big lenders against homeowners and their advocates. . . The legal disagreement amounts to whether banks can rely on flawed documentation to repossess homes."

On September 30, a 7-minute YouTube video, "Factory of Fraud," posted by Rep. Alan Grayson of Southern Florida showed examples of a man who was foreclosed on when he didn't have a mortgage and paid cash for his home; a home that had two foreclosure suits against it because several servicers claimed ownership of the title; and a couple foreclosed on over a contested $75 late fee.

WACAN is also sponsoring a website - www.wheresthenote.com/wacan - where a homeowner can generate a letter or a fax to demand his/her note and have it sent to any of the banks on the extensive list provided.

Jacqueline Benster hosts a program for the distressed homeowner called "Does My Bank Still Love Me?" which can be seen on SCAN TV (Channels 23 and 77) and on YouTube.