Here's the letter the protesters delivered to the sheriff:

Community Letter to Baltimore City Sheriff: Declare Baltimore City a “No Foreclosures & Evictions Free Zone”

Dear Sheriff John W. Anderson,

We are imploring you to halt foreclosures and evictions in Baltimore City during this period of economic hardship and crisis.

We would like to point out that Cook County Sheriff in Illinois and the Philadelphia Sheriff have both announced that they will not carry out the orders of the big banks.

In addition, we believe there are mitigating circumstances in Baltimore that make action on your part logical and just.

The City of Baltimore has filed a well researched law suit against Wells Fargo and other predatory lenders documenting widespread discriminatory practices that led to countless foreclosures and evictions.

While this suit is being heard and processed in the courts there should be a halt on foreclosures and evictions. Why put families in the street who have already been victimized by predatory lenders.

In addition there is the added problem of renters who have little protection from abuse. For instance, in many cases only the owner of the property has been informed of the foreclosure and while the renter continues to pay rent, he or she suddenly finds themselves in the street with little recourse.

These are brand new times. The banks have received billion in dollars of bailout money while very little has been done to help people who are suffering from foreclosures, evictions, joblessness and utility shut offs.

We are calling on you to act with courage and conscious. The people will support you! Have a heart this holiday. Declare Baltimore City to be a city of NO FORECLOSURES AND EVICTIONS. Your action can be a decisive factor if you refuse to carry out the orders of the banks.

In addition, we are requesting a meeting at the earliest date possible to discuss this with you and your staff. We can be reached at 410-218-4835

Thank you,

Sharon Black, co-coordinator Nat’l Network to Stop Foreclosures and Evictions: Andre Powell, AFSCME
Delegate, Baltimore City Central Labor Council: Steven Ceci, Bail Out the People Movement;
Renee Washington, All Peoples Congress; Scott Wolgamuth, CPA Controller Project Plase, Inc *;
Generations for Peace & Democracy; Bobbie Monahan; Kevin Zeeze, Campaign for Fresh Air & Clean
Politics; Int’l Socialist Org; Carol Wessner; Chabria Thomas; Maria Allwine, co-chair Md Green Party
(partial list of signers) *for id only


See also:

www.examiner.com/x-928-DC-Politics-Examiner