Protesters call on Philadelphia sheriff to stop sale of foreclosed properties

Housing activists staged a protest Tuesday during the Philadelphia sheriff’s sale of foreclosed properties, calling for a halt of such sales in the city.  

About two dozen protesters came to the sheriff’s sale, saying banks should not be so quick to foreclose on homeowners during these tough economic times. 

Anne Gemmell of the group Fight for Philly admits the protest is merely symbolic.

“What choice do we have, when we have a governor in the State House that passes a budget literally attacking thousands of families, attacking their schools, attacking their medical care, attacking their housing?” she said.

Cheri Honkala of the Poor People’s Economic Campaign says those facing foreclosure should not give up.

“We encourage other families that don’t have a place to live to reach out to us and we will put you into a house that’s just sitting there vacant,” she said.

Undersheriff Joe Vignola says the office is following court orders on foreclosure sales.

“Unless the court orders us otherwise, we are compelled to go forward with this month’s sheriff sale,” Vignola said.

 

The protesters say they will continue to occupy the foreclosed homes until they are evicted.