Last Sunday, a dozen supporters worked through 100-degree heat to complete some minor repairs on Anita Reyes’ south Minneapolis home.  About six weeks before, Woodlands National Bank had used the repairs as an excuse not to work with Reyes, claiming that it was unable to negotiate a mortgage for a condemned house.

In spite of the heat, spirits were high.  “We’re willing to do whatever it takes to work with  homeowners,” said Iain Wilson, an Occupy Homes MN organizer. “We want to do what’s right for communities.”

For Occupy Homes MN, the event was a change of pace from some of its recent actions against foreclosure.  Shovels and paintbrushes replaced concrete barrels and barricades.  Among the supporters were children and retired neighbors.

Chris Gray, a veteran of the intense confrontations with Minneapolis Police Department at the Cruz house, said, “We’re showing the banks that communities have the resources, in terms of people, knowledge, and materials, to find solutions. People want their neighbors to succeed–it’s what’s right for the community.  I wish Woodlands National Bank shared the same perspective.”  

The Occupy movement in Minneapolis reached an important milestone on Monday, July 30, 2012 with the resolution of a case brought against four protesters arrested at a peaceful demonstration on October 20, 2011. Judge Daniel Moreno denied the prosecutor’s attempt to add three additional charges to the original complaint less than two weeks before trial, and prevented the prosecutor from singling out individuals with previous political arrests for harsher treatment. Ultimately, four defendants, Misty Rowan, Katrina Plotz, Ben Egerman, and Peter Leeman agreed to a conviction of one petty misdemeanor each, a non-criminal violation which is basically equivalent to a traffic ticket. Dozens of supporters attended the proceedings in solidarity with the defendants and celebrated the resolution as a victory.

This case and recent arrests of dozens of OccupyHomes MN activists defending the Cruz home in South Minneapolis show that the City of Minneapolis, through the Minneapolis Police Department and City Attorney’s office are attempting to intimidate activists and shut down the Occupy movement with tough tactics and unreasonable charges. The resolution of this case shows that Mayor R.T. Rybak’s efforts to suppress dissent can be defeated with the help of a strong legal defense and solidarity from all who seek to create a more just society.