Hennepin County

Activists, including many foreclosed-upon and homeless residents, converged on Minneapolis City Hall Wednesday to demand that Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek take action to end the foreclosure crisis in the county. After boisterously protesting outside the room where a sheriff's foreclosure sale was guarded by deputies, three activists entered the room, and PPEHRC national organizer Cheri Honkala was  shoved out by a deputy after attempting to bid on a property.

Then, the group went across the building to Stanek's office to demand a meeting. After deputies were uncooperative, the activists moved in, filling the room while others waited with the media outside. After about two hours, a meeting was held between a chief deputy, County Commissioner Gail Dorfman, and five activists representing the organizing bodies: PPEHRC, ACORN, the Economic Crisis Action Group, the IWW, and Homes Not Jails. The officials promised a meeting with Stanek within two weeks. 

Related: Poor People's Campaign | MN ACORN | Twin Cities IWW | MN Coaliton for a People's Bailout | Star Tribune coverage by Randy Furst | Tough Rental Market Hits Families Hard, TC Daily Planet | Ongoing TCIMC Coverage:  The Foreclosure Crisis in Minnesota | Neighbors Helping Neighbors--To Break Into Vacant Homes | Video of PPEHRC Feb. 14 Housing Occupation