Bell Foundry Evictees

On December 5, 2016 law enforcement officials evicted artists at the Bell Foundry (an art studio) in Station North Baltimore without notice—giving them only 1 hour to vacate the premises, forcing them to leave their art and belongings behind.

According to officials the massive eviction is due to fire code violations, but what we are facing here is an even larger human rights violation on behalf of Baltimore City.

This reactionary ambush under the guise of a fire hazard (when they were well aware of this situation and possible code violations for much longer) echoes the biases of an unjust system with prejudices against a majority of people living in Baltimore.

Many of the Bell Foundry's artists were POC & Queer identifying, who in fact had a legal lease. The city has not offered them relocation assistance as it is needed and tonight many are left in darkness.

These artists, friends, and loved ones of ours need your support now. This eviction was a direct attack on the artist community & the unwillingness of the city to hear the Bell Foundry out (and work humanely on moving forward) only reverberates this point.

This money will help the relocation of studios and artists of the Bell Foundry & any legal fees they must attend to in their fight for justice. We are eternally thankful of your support.

Please give what you can and share this with who you can, peace & love!

Watch the eviction footage HERE

ABOUT: 
My name is Emily Eaglin, I am a local filmmaker, activist, & Bell Foundry frequenter.
emilyeaglin.com
I've lived in MD as an artist my whole life & was heartbroken to hear this news this evening, as I was just at the Bell this weekend. I'm friends w/ Qué Pequeño (Nkemakolam) & am forwarding all funds raised to him & Bell Evictees. The funds are to be used for emergency aid & legal fees (or however else the victims of the evictions see fit), many of them are artists and are in need of financial support immediately especially if they cannot access their art/studios/equipment.