Detroiters demand stop to mass tax foreclosures

Demonstrators gathered outside the Wayne County Treasurer’s office in the Greektown section of downtown Detroit on June 8 to protest the tax foreclosure of more than 25,000 homes. Activists had stopped the mass foreclosures, originally slated for March 31, by previously picketing the site and causing the treasurer to enact two short moratoriums. The last foreclosure extension expired June 8.

This time protesters took the street, much to the chagrin of police who repeatedly ordered the crowd, to no avail, to get back on the sidewalk or face arrest. Shown here are activists with banners who blocked the street to keep police from other demonstrators.

Organizers with the Moratorium NOW! Coalition to Stop Foreclosures, Evictions and Utility Shutoffs called the action “the launch of a summer of resistance to stop foreclosures and water shutoffs and defend the people of Detroit against bankers, developers and their politicians.”