A motley crew of 35-40 pissed-off Portlanders disrupted the auction of foreclosed homes by bank-fraudsters yesterday morning at the Multnomah County Courthouse before being removed by Sheriff's deputies from the lobby of the courthouse, some violently. Attendees shouted slogans and made "bids" on properties (e.g., "I bid that you keep people in their homes").
The law-unenforcers outrageously claimed that the courthouse lobby and steps were not "public space", and that they therefore were entitled to grab and shove members of the group away from the building. One deputy said, "I'm the judge" of what's public space.
The banking industry has been obstructing attempts by activists to require pre-foreclosure mediation between themselves and homeowners (See:  http://willamettereds.blogspot.com/2009/03/sb-628-and-sb-328-slow-foreclosures-and.html) because such mediation has been shown to keep people in their homes rather than out on the streets, where "unnecessary" people should apparently be.
The action was attended by members of Jobs With Justice, ACORN, citizens whose homes have been foreclosed, members of anarchist housing collectives, and unaffiliated supporters. Differing ages, races, genders and political associations were a hallmark of the day.
Every Monday morning, foreclosed homes are being auctioned at the courthouse (1021 SW 4th Ave.). Members of the group vowed to return next Monday to attempt to again disrupt this blatant anti-democratic activity.
Join us. And contact ACORN (503-764-9780, 5112 SE Powell, www.acorn.org).
Your neighbors need you, and you may need them to protect your own home. Come to meetings with your own ideas for direct actions, or JUST DO IT.
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