Tell City Council members we need a bill/resolution to call on the Baltimore sheriff to halt foreclosures.

The Wayne County Sheriff has joined other sheriff's in halting the final heartless act of putting families and their belongings in the street. If it can be done in Detroit--it can be done in Baltimore. We have waited since December when we originally called for emergency action and the extension of the holiday moratorium Now every day that passes means worse hardships for the people of Baltimore who are facing joblessness, budget cuts and the loss of the homes.

We have heard too much buck passing -- It's time for all of our elected officials to take a stand and act. The Network to Stop Foreclosures and Evictions and many others are calling for a joint meeting between council members, the sheriff's office, representatives of the mayor, community representatives and our attorneys. The attorney's who advised the Wayne County sheriff have volunteered their services and are willing to come to Baltimore to assist.

The magnitude of the present economic crisis demands that we all think of inovative and far reaching solutions. It means the old "business as usual" way of acting and thinking must end if we are to begin to find ways of stopping the tidal wave of destruction that is facing our communities, our co-workers and ourselves.

For more information call: 410-218-4835 or email apcbaltimore-AT-pipeline.com
Please do not hit reply as you will be directed to a server.
Also don't forget
Join us for a NATIONAL MARCH on WALL ST. April 3-4 Bailout the People--Not the Banks!
Buses, cars and vans will be leaving from Baltimore & Maryland
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Below is a copy of a letter sent to Council Person Bill Henry and other city officials in response to his email to us regarding our recent petition to the council:

Dear Council Person Bill Henry,

Let us state very clearly that we are writing to you in the spirit of cooperation and good will. This does not mean that we agree with your position, but it means that we hope you are open to dialogue on this matter.

Our position is that City Council not only can but should take a position on the Sheriff John W. Anderson halting foreclosures. We can certainly dialogue about what constraints the council feels it has from a purely technical stand point.

But as you must know already law is a very grey matter and even in your letter to the activists who have responded to our campaign—you point out an important point of leverage that City Council has—that is city council “oversees their (the Sheriff’s office’s) operational budget”.

We would like to examine all angles—in fact, we have just finished a discussion with an attorney in Michigan who represents the Moratorium Now Coalition. Their organization met with the Wayne County Sheriff prior to his announcement. They will be forwarding the legal basis on which the Sheriff in Michigan based his action to us.

Even if we have a difference on the issue of what kind of bill—this in no way precludes the council from taking a political stand—that is passing a resolution urging the Sheriff to halt foreclosures. Our email letter clearly states “bill or resolution”.

It is critical that Sheriff John W. Anderson know that if he were to take such a stand that the Council would support him. From what we have been told, Anderson has been portrayed as an honest and compassionate official. There is nothing to this point that tells us otherwise. Therefore, it makes it all the more imperative for the City Council to take a stand.

Let us reassure you, we have not singled out the council. Our position is that the State Legislators, the Governor, the Mayor and all elected officials need to look for innovative solutions to what is being called one of the worst economic crises. In the context of what is taking place, we cannot see this period as “business as usual”.

We have chosen the campaign around the sheriff’s office as an immediate step—not to preclude other actions on the part of elected officials or if necessary direct neighborhood action.

The Sheriff’s action in conducting the foreclosures is the most immediate step that places families in the street. Halting this step in the process will give workers and their advocates the time necessary to find more far reaching solutions.

We consider this an emergency measure. In all fairness we raised this with both the Sheriff’s office and the council in December of 2008—asking for an extension of the holiday moratorium. I’m sure you still have the email we sent yourself and all fellow council members in December.

This is a new period. The people of this country have made history by electing the first Black president, Barack Obama on the basis of needing and wanting “change”. No individual no matter how sincere or heroic can bring about change without the people engaged and involved. President Barack Obama cannot be expected to fight Wall Street alone. And we cannot let him.

Each and everyone of us must step up to the plate—and make this a new world where bankers no longer rule the day—while families are being tossed out of their homes and workers out of their jobs. In essence, we must take up the fight for economic justice that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. left as his end legacy before he was assassinated—the one he launched around the poor people’s campaign.

The members of City Council can play an extremely important role in this process. More than any other elected officials—you know the severe problems and pain that your constituents feel. You understand what boarded up homes mean to neighborhoods.

A national movement to turn this around has begun.

Please see action on your part as an opportunity! The Network to Stop Foreclosures and Evictions locally in Baltimore is part of a national network—we are also part of a larger coalition of groups called the Bailout the People Movement. At bi-coastal national meetings we have set out a national strategy. What is exciting is that people from all over the country are joining together to support and help each other—hence you received emails from other parts of the country.

We see that as a positive development. Just like the City of Baltimore is seeking to work with other cities in finding solutions—the people too are coming together.

We are prepared and willing to sit down with yourself and any other Council members to discuss what can be done.

What might be ultimately critical given the dispute on who said what to whom—is for a more extensive and prepared meeting to take place which includes city council members, the Sheriff’s office, representatives from the Mayor’s office and representatives of our group including our legal counsel.

Let’s see if we can work together!

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Sharon Black

For the Network to Stop Foreclosures and Evictions

Cc All Signers (Pastor Heber Brown, et al and Network Members)

Sheriff John W. Anderson

Honorable Mayor Sheila Dixon

City Council President, Stephanie Rawlings Blake

Council Person Mary Pat Clarke