Rally scheduled for Jan. 12

The Network to Stop Foreclosures and Evictions has scheduled a rally and press conference in front of the Baltimore City Hall on Holiday Street between 4:30 and 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12.

The rally is designed to raise public awareness of foreclosures and evictions in Baltimore and to show the City Council that there is strong public support for a moratorium on foreclosures in the city during the current economic crisis.

The following is a portion of the e-mail that was sent to organizers hoping for a large turnout at the rally:

The economic downturn, which many are now referring to as a depression, calls for innovative solutions that address the problems of foreclosures, evictions, utility shut-offs, joblessness, lack of healthcare and hunger.

To begin to address some of the problems and in anticipation of the growing suffering that many city residents may face—this includes:

1. A Moratorium on Foreclosures.

2. Calling on the Sheriff’s office to extend their holiday moratorium on foreclosures and evictions for the winter months and during this period of economic crisis. The City of Baltimore has filed a well researched lawsuit against Wells Fargo documenting widespread discriminatory practices that led to countless foreclosures and evictions.  Logic dictates that while this suit is being heard that there should be an injunction on foreclosures.

3. To stand in support of the community and call directly on the banks and lenders to halt foreclosure proceedings.  The banks have received billions of dollars in bailout money from our taxes.  This obligates them to act fairly and in the interest of the thousands of workers and community residents who now face foreclosures and evictions.

4. In addition, we call on the Public Service Commission and BGE to halt shut offs during the winter months to ensure that no one is without heat or light. 

Many residents this year will be faced to choose between mortgage payments, rent and utility bills. Foreclosures, evictions, joblessness and utility shutoffs strain the city’s already overburdened infrastructure.  It affects not only those who are its direct victims; it also cost the city additional resources and impacts community businesses and the quality of life in our neighborhoods.