DETROIT – Bailiffs made their way past protestors inside the home of a Detroit Tiny Home tenant, trying to remove them from the property forcibly.
After a two year legal battle, a Tiny Home resident is being forced from their home.
Earlier on Tuesday, bailiffs made their way inside the home of Taura Brown.
Brown has been fighting the eviction and vows to stay put, but Cass Community Social Services state that Brown has violated the conditions of the Tiny Home program and has to go.
On Tuesday, protesters went head to head with court officers trying to prevent them from making it inside to evict Taura Brown, who is suffering from Stage 5 kidney failure.
Over a dozen officers from Detroit Police Department were at the scene and only intervened if things got too physical.
“That’s what it takes. I don’t any moment in history where justice prevails where people don’t have to put their bodies on the line to be frank,” said protestor Tristan Taylor. “And we are the people who don’t mind to hang out to have a BBQ. We’re not the ones who are initiating the conflict. But we are here to defend Taura, this house and ourselves.”
All the Tiny Homes in the area of Monterey Street are owned by Cass Community Social Services, better known as CCSS.
Brown claimed she hadn’t missed any payments and believes she’s only being evicted because she’s been very critical of Rev. Faith Fowler, the lead pastor of Cass Community United Methodist Church and CCSS.
Multiple organizations have joined the fight to stop this eviction, including Detroit Eviction Defense, who was at the scene on Tuesday.
Below is a statement from the 36th District Court about the Tiny House eviction:
“Over the last 19 months, Taura Brown’s case went through the judicial system and all proper legal procedures were followed. At each step, Ms. Brown exercised her rights as a tenant and received due process. Based on the merits of the case, 36th District Court Judge Shawn Jacque ruled that the plaintiff had no further legal right to remain in possession of the Monterey Street property. There are always legal remedies to appeal a judge’s decision whenever a party believes that a judge has ruled incorrectly. Ms. Brown’s appeal to the Third Circuit Court was denied in October of 2022. The Court is sympathetic to all parties involved, and it is unfortunate when an individual is evicted, but the role of the Court is to follow and enforce the laws of the State. Any violence specifically aimed at 36th District Court Officers who are performing a legal activity based on a Judge’s Order is unacceptable and won’t be tolerated. Just two weeks ago, two officers were shot and injured with an assault weapon while in the course of their normal duties. One of the Officers involved in that incident was present today, again facing danger while trying to do his job. It has become dangerous for these Court Officers to work, and such violence must not continue. While the Court respects the right of these individuals to protest, we do not condone violence. These Officers possessed a lawful Court order to proceed with this eviction, and any individuals who physically interfered with its execution only succeeded in inciting an altercation. There are legal ways to have your voices heard, and today’s incident was not productive. The 36th District Court remains committed to the equitable administration of justice. Counsel is now afforded to every tenant at the first hearing, and other improvements to the administrative process are currently being implemented to ensure the efficient processing of cases. Violent escalations do nothing to aid in these efforts, and must cease.”
Detroit's 36th District Court -- April 4, 2023
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