by Juliet Blalack
At a Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Gerardo Sandoval introduced a resolution demanding that the Mayor’s Office diminish the frequency of foreclosures in San Francisco.
“In this moment, there are too many foreclosures and the truth is that the effect of these executions are more felt the Latino and African-American communities,” said Supervisor Sandoval.
The resolution asks the Mayor’s Office to finance programs to help people with their mortgage payments and to create a comprehensive plan against mortgage foreclosure. On Oct 23, The Board of Supervisors REFERRED the resolution to the Land Use and Economic Development Committee.
Newsom offers teachers and police officers home loans
A new Mayor’s Office of Housing program offers home down payment loans of $20,000 to police officers and teachers in good standing, according to a city press release.
“We must do whatever we can to retain those that give the most to our community – our children’s teachers and the police who keep us safe,” said Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Officers who work in San Francisco for five years do not need to pay the loan back. Loans are also forgiven if an office is disabled or killed while working.
For teachers who work in the school district for five years, the city will begin to forgive the loan at a rate of 20 percent per year.
The loans do not require down payment or amass interest.
Presidential candidate introduces act to strengthen civil liberties
Congressman Ron Paul introduced the American Freedom Agenda act on Oct. 15th. If passed, the act would outlaw kidnapping, torture, and detentions by the President overseas. It would also ban the use of secret evidence or evidence obtained through torture.
“The constitutional grievances against the White House are chilling, reminiscent of the kingly abuses that provoked the Declaration of Independence,” reads www.americanfreedomagenda.org.
Other parts of the act include the restriction of government wiretapping and the restoration of habeas corpus rights to people tried as enemy combatants.
State bill outlaws police removing citizens’ guns during emergencies
Governor Schwarzenegger signed a bill removing the power of state police to confiscate guns during an emergency. The police superintendent in New Orleans ordered officers to take away all firearms from residents after Hurricane Katrina, according to an NRA press release.
“California’s General Assembly acted to protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners when their rights are the mot vital,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA’s chief lobbyist.
Assemblyman Doug LaMafa introduced the bill.
Gov. Schwarzenegger appoints Marc Garcia to Merced County Superior Court
The governor has appointed Marc Garcia, 39, to Merced County Superior Court. The position was made available to Garcia through SB 56, a bill that promotes inclusion of people of color, LGBT people, and people with disabilities in the legal profession, according to American Bar Association’s website. Garcia previously served as the deputy District Attorney in Merced County.
Marchers in Oakland call attention to police brutality
About 100 people marched from Mosswood Park to Oakland City Hall to demand an end to police brutality on Oct. 22, the 12th National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality. Many protestors said they saw a loved one killed or injured by police. The organizers called attention to cases like the alleged killing of Gary King, Jr. by an Oakland police offi cer last month.
