Homeowner Keith Sadler under arrest after a SWAT Team stormed his house during the early morning hours in Stony Ridge, Ohio on May 7, 2010. Sadler and six supporters were charged with trespassing and obstructing justice. They were later released.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos
Keith Saddler and six supporters are out of jail after their arrest during a home invasion and forced eviction by the Wood County SWAT team early Friday morning. While the paramilitary police stormed Saddler's home, about 30 supporters rallied outside in the pouring rain chanting "Keith's house'.
Supporters, led by the Toledo Foreclosure Defense League, followed those arrested to the Woods County jail and continued to demonstrate. They demanded the immediate release of the "Stony Ridge Seven", and that all seven be fed their vegan diet. The Seven were released on their own recognizance after being charged with trespass and obstruction of justice.
A potluck and meeting Bowling Green took place Friday evening. It had originally been planned as a potluck and speakout rally at Saddler's home. Plans to continue the struggle, discussed at the meeting, will be announced soon.
The "Stony Ridge Seven" had barricaded themselves in Sadler's home since Sunday, in protest of the bank's foreclosure of his home of 20 years. It's been home for me, my daughter and nephews for periods of time, my nine cats and this was my grandson's first home after he was born," Sadler told Moratorium NOW! members who had visited earlier in the week.
A longtime UAW member in various manufacturing plants, Sadler was unable to work after a repetitive strain injury became acute in July 2008. After being out of work for some time due to his injury and two surgeries on his right hand, Sadler's income decreased and thus it became a severe challenge for him to meet his mortgage payments. The bank foreclosed on his home in 2009 and refused any loan modification. Despite delaying court proceedings through various means and attempting to procure legal aid assistance, Sadler's home was sold to the bank at a Sheriff's sale in January 2010. Sadler was thereafter served with a notice of eviction for midnight, May 2.
"I basically did everything within the system to save my house and it all came to nothing. We are taking a stand. We are drawing a line in the sand and saying 'enough is enough.' We're standing up and we hope others will too. We want an indefinite moratorium on all foreclosures. Having people's homes stolen right out from under them by the banks is not acceptable. We must fight back."
Sadler and other members of the Toledo Foreclosure Defense League believe that if the big banks can get a bailout, than so can the people.
Saddler's spokesperson, Lance Crandall, asks that people continue to call the bank and the sheriff to demand that all charges be dropped.
Local bank branch: 419-874-2090
Bank HQ: 419-783-8950
Wood County Sheriff's office: 419-354-9001
Sheriff's direct line: 419-354-9008
Sheriff's personal email: wasyl@wcnet.org
Call and email often!
Stayed tuned for more developments.
Moratorium NOW! Coalition to Stop Foreclosures, Evictions, and Utility Shutoffs.
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