Occupy Atlanta Saves Historic Church From Foreclosure

Jay, Lucky and OT spending the night in tents in subfreezing temperatures

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Tim Franzen putting up Occupy Higher Ground sign

Occupied Church

Frankie, Shabaka and Alexander

Occupiers Tents at Higher Ground

Rally for the Higher Ground pamphlet

Mass Meeting pamphlet held by William Marshall

Alexander canvassing Vine City neighborhood

Alexander speaking to Vine City resident

Front of Higher Ground

The Higher Ground Empowerment Center also known as Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church has been in Atlanta’s Vine City neighborhood for 108 years. Despites its reputation for the help it has provided to hundreds of families in need of clothes, furniture and food, BB&T initiated foreclosure hearings without giving the church a chance to renegotiate its mortgage. Things rapidly changed after Occupy Atlanta intervened. Twenty four hours later, on Friday the 13th, after a press conference and after setting tents outside where occupiers spent the night in subfreezing temperatures, the bank changed its mind and offered to modify the terms of its loan.

The next day, January 14th, Occupy Atlanta reinforced its presence by canvassing the neighborhood to invite neighbors to support the church. Pamphlets were distributed to invite as many people to show up when bankers would come to negotiate with the pastor.