Episode 202: The Red House on Mississippi (with Suzy Weiss)
Feb 10, 2024
auto_awesome
Suzy Weiss joins Katie to discuss saving a black family from eviction in Portland, dating challenges in the same neighborhood, the impact of Twitter's evolution, exploitation of white guilt in Portland, chaotic protests and political upheaval in Portland, William Nietzsche's legal battles as a sovereign citizen, and controversial house ownership in Portland.
The occupation of the Red House on Mississippi in Portland highlighted issues of housing rights, gentrification, and racial justice.
The Red House became a gathering place for activists seeking racial and economic justice and emphasized solidarity against gentrification.
The Kinney family's eviction case shed light on the impact of gentrification, racial disparities, and issues of economic and racial justice in historically black neighborhoods in North Portland.
Deep dives
The Red House on Mississippi: A Story of Gentrification and Eviction
In Portland, Oregon, a predominantly white city, a black and indigenous family, the Kinneys, was evicted from their home, known as the Red House on Mississippi. The family claimed to have been unfairly targeted for eviction during an eviction moratorium in the middle of a global pandemic. The occupation began as a response to the eviction, with supporters rallying around the family to reclaim the house. The incident garnered media attention and raised issues of predatory lending and fraudulent loans. The occupation included protests, signs, boarded-up windows, and an evolving community presence. The story highlights the gentrification and racial tensions in Portland, as well as the activism surrounding housing rights and racial justice.
Occupation and Community Presence at the Red House
The Red House on Mississippi became the center of an occupation and community presence after the Kinney family's eviction. Supporters gathered around the house, setting up tents, and patrolling the area to guard the house and its occupants. The community offered free food, programming, and activities like self-care, pumpkin carving, and craft workshops. The occupation attracted media attention and drew attention to issues of displacement, theft of land, racism, and a purported corrupt police force. The Red House became a gathering place for activists seeking racial and economic justice, emphasizing solidarity against gentrification.
Context and Historic Background of Portland's Gentrification
Portland, Oregon, has a history of left-wing political organizing and racial tension. The city has a predominantly white population and a long history of racist policies and exclusionary laws, along with redlining and predatory lending practices. The case of the Kinney family eviction highlights the impact of gentrification in historically black neighborhoods in North Portland. The family had owned the Red House for four generations, facing an alleged unlawful foreclosure and fraudulent loan scheme. The occupation and community presence shed light on ongoing racial disparities, housing rights, and issues of economic and racial justice.
Controversial Legal Claims Surrounding the Red House on Mississippi
The Kinney family and their supporters made controversial legal claims regarding the eviction and fraudulent loan scheme. They accused HSBC Bank of predatory lending and alleged fraudulent subprime loans, claiming that the family was victims of a sophisticated mortgage scam. The family challenged the foreclosure, alleging unlawful transfer of the mortgage loan and claiming that US Bank wrongfully held a nonjudicial foreclosure auction. Their legal arguments involved aspects of international law, trust ownership, fraudulent assignments, and alleged judicial corruption. These various claims added complexity and controversy to the case surrounding the Red House.
The Red House protest in Portland turns into a homeless encampment
The Red House protest in Portland initially started as a revolution, but quickly turned into a homeless encampment, similar to the CHOP/CHAZ occupied protests in Seattle in 2020. Tents were set up and drug use became prevalent in the area. The protesters resisted eviction and engaged in clashes with law enforcement, leading to the barricading of the area and disruption of the neighborhood. The protests received sympathetic coverage, focusing on community building and threats from the outside, while ignoring the issues of violence and criminal activity within the encampment.
The ownership and sovereignty claims of the Kenny family
The Kenny family, central to the Red House protest, claimed to be facing foreclosure and homelessness. However, it was revealed that they owned another property in Northeast Portland. Moreover, it was discovered that William Nietzsche, a member of the family, identified as a sovereign citizen, subscribing to far-right conspiracy theories and rejecting the legitimacy of the US government. This revelation tarnished the narrative surrounding the Kenny family and raised questions about their motives and credibility. The current status of the Red House remains uncertain, with rumors of squatters and potential property ownership by the Kenny family.
This week on Blocked and Reported, Katie is joined by Suzy Weiss to discuss the movement to save a black family from eviction in Portland, Oregon. Plus, dating while problematic, the spread of polyamory, and Suzy makes an argument in favor of good old fashioned cheating.
