Millions More Movement Launches Mobilizing Effort On Katrina Evacuees

The Millions More Movement is taking action to stop the eviction of evacuees scattered across the country due to Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. As part of this effort, the Millions More Movement is encouraging its membership and those that support the issues and principles for which it stands, to write their elected officials and the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in order to express their concerns. They are also encouraged to make phone calls to their elected officials, the FEMA Director and the White House.

Below are sample letters and contact information:

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MMM FEMA ACTION
SAMPLE LETTER FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS

YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS
DATE

Rep.________________
US House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

or

Senator_______________________
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

I was disappointed to learn that FEMA plans to evacuate more than 150,000 from hotels and other federally-supported housing by January 7, 2006. I am writing to urge you to take any and all action to reverse this ill-advised decision. As a member of the Millions More Movement, I am especially concerned about the number of displaced African Americans who are affected by this harsh and untimely action. The United States Senate has just adopted a resolution to display a statue of the civil rights icon, Mrs. Rosa Parks, in the capitol. Why would our government, then, evict people on the 50th anniversary of her historic action?

Something must be done. Please use your influence to urge Mr. R. David Paulison, FEMA’s acting director, to reverse this decision. While people desperately need permanent housing, untimely evictions will exacerbate, not reverse, the trauma hurricane victims have already suffered.

Thank you for your prompt action on this very critical matter.

Sincerely,
Your name (and organization if you like).


PLEASE FAX LETTERS TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS – THEY RECEIVE MAIL ON A DELAYED BASIS. EMAIL ALSO WORKS.

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MMM FEMA ACTION
SAMPLE LETTER TO FEMA DIRECTOR

Your Name
Your address
Date


Mr. R. David Paulison
500 C Street, SW]
Washington, DC 20472

Dear Mr. Paulison,

I was outraged to learn of your announcement that more than 150,000 Americans who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina will be evicted by FEMA by January 7, 2006. Do you realize that December 1, 2005 is the 50th Anniversary of Mrs. Rosa Parks’ historic civil rights action in Montgomery, Alabama. It is a shameful irony that those who have celebrated her legacy will now be thrown into the streets because of the actions of a callous and inefficient government.

I am writing you as a member of the Millions More Movement. I am especially concerned about the number of African Americans who are part of those who will be evicted. I am writing to urge that you reconsider this position and postpone evictions until permanent housing can be found through HUD or other sources for those individuals who remain housed in hotels.

I appreciate your prompt action on this very urgent matter and look forward to a resolution that is most favorable for affected individuals.

Sincerely,

Your name
Your organization.


The public is also encouraged to call MR. PAULISON at 202-566-1600.


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The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461

You can also email the White House at comments@whitehouse.gov


2. Your member of Congress. Please access this information this way:
WWW.Congress.org. There is a page that allows you to enter your zip code and will then give you contact information.

3. Your Senator can also be accessed through www.congress.org.

Sunday, November 20, 2005