Take Down the Signs of Disrespect, Divestment and Deception…

Ralph E. Moore, Jr.

04/01/06

Good morning and thanks everyone for coming.

We are here today as citizens of a city we love.  We are here today because we are quietly being attacked by those who are peddling lies in the name of helping others and polluting our neighborhoods with bright colored, deceptive signs of greed. 

Welcome on this April Fool’s Day to our little action that says we residents of the city of Baltimore are no fools!  To those who send out sign hangers (like thieves in the night) in the wee hours of the morning to steal the dreams of the poor, the elderly and the unaware, we say “we’re not fooling, get out of our town!”

To those who have disrespected our neighborhoods by posting multiple signs on street lights and vacant buildings everywhere and galore, we say “Good bye to your bad buy signs”.

To those who would prey upon our poor, our elderly, our families in danger of foreclosure, by taking their valued homes off their hands for just a few quick bucks, we say with a true Shakespearean outrage, “Lord, what fools these mortals be!”

We are urging the citizens of our city to take action today and from this point forward.  We are here today to ask our neighbors not to stand for the pollution that is uglifying our communities.  Let’s take the signs down… say it with me: Let’s TAKE THE SIGNS DOWN.

We’re nobody’s fools… Take the signs down! [chant]

For those who are in trouble with their mortgage payments or just looking to sell a house, call a legitimate housing agency for advice, such as St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center or call a real estate company to list it. 

Do not, I repeat: do not call these merchants of swindle, deception and greed. 

How dare they think they can come into our hometown, pluck real estate from our neighbors, put up their signs of deception in our faces and expect us not to react.  What kind of fools do they think we are?

Well, we’re nobody’s fool! And we’re pushing you back.  You are not welcome here.  Goodbye to your bad byes!  Get out of town.  No foolin’!!!