Minneapolis police officers removed Rosemary Williams from the home that she owned for nearly three decades on Friday afternoon. The 60-year-old grandmother had vowed to stay in the residence on the 3100 block of Clinton Avenue even after the home went into foreclosure and sheriff’s deputies evicted her from the premises last month. Williams almost immediately re-entered the property and continued to live there.
Her plight has become a rallying point for activists seeking a moratorium on foreclosures and more assistance for struggling homeowners. As Williams’ belongings were removed from the residence by supporters, at least 50 people gathered on the surrounding sidewalks. They chanted “Housing is a human right, eviction is a crime,” and “Not one more empty home, not one more homeless family.”
Photo: Paul Demko, Minnesota Independent
Shortly before 5 p.m. Williams peacefully departed the house carrying a few belongings. She ducked under the yellow crime tape that surrounded the street in front of her former home.
Photo: Paul Demko, Minnesota Independent
She was embraced by supporters who have kept a near constant vigil at her home in recent months.
Photo: Paul Demko, Minnesota Independent
Protesters then attempted to occupy the property and skirmished with police officers. Pepper spray was deployed to disperse the crowd.
Photo: Paul Demko, Minnesota Independent
About a half dozen protesters succeeded in planting themselves on the grass in front of Williams’ former home.
Photo: Paul Demko, Minnesota Independent
They were restrained with plastic handcuffs and arrested by the cops. At least one woman had to literally be carried away by the cops.
Photo: Paul Demko, Minnesota Independent
This woman continuously shouted “Who’s house? Rosemary’s house,” while she was being arrested.
By 6 p.m., seven protesters had been arrested, according to a release by the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign, which has supported Williams throughout the process.
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