Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, mclarty@greens.org
Nancy Allen, Media Coordinator, 207-326-4576, nallen@acadia.net
Supreme Court Ruling Legalizes 'Theft by
Takings'. While Democratic and Republican officials side
with developers, Greens vow to remain a bulwark against the
condemnation of private homes.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Green Party leaders sharply
criticized the Supreme Court's June 23 decision in the Kelo v. City of
New London case, calling it a "legalization of theft."
The decision expands the power of government to
condemn private property ('eminent domain'), permitting officials to
transfer property from one private owner to another.
"Working class and low income homeowners will
be at special risk, since they provide less tax revenue, and the Court
now gives permission for city councils and statehouses to evict and
replace them with commercial and residential development for the sake
of a wealthier tax base," said Steve Kramer, co-chair of the
Green Party of the United States. "The Court has legalized theft
-- theft from the poor for the rich."
Green leaders say that the party will remain
steadfast in its opposition to the use of eminent domain to remove
people from their homes under the license provided by the Kelo v. City
of New London decision.
"Republican and Democratic officials --
including many liberal and progressive Democrats -- accept huge gifts
from real estate interests that want to clear out neighborhoods for
new development. Greens refuse all corporate contributions," said
Peggy Lewis, who is also co-chair of the national Green Party.
"In the wake of the New London decision, the choice between
voting for a Green and voting for a Democrat or Republican in some
races might spell the difference between keeping and losing one's
home."
Greens around the U.S. are fighting predatory
development plans in which residents and small businesses face mass
removal under strengthened powers of eminent domain:
-
Brunswick, Georgia faces a massive
redevelopment plan targeting 135 blocks of the heart of Brunswick,
the population of which is 78% black, with 57% in entrenched
poverty. Elaine Brown, Green candidate for Mayor of Burnswick, is
defending African American residents threatened under the plan,
which has slated whole neighborhoods for brutal displacement
through "takings by condemnation" and eminent domain.
Ms. Brown has offered an alternative plan to make Brunswick a
national model and a base for black economic empowerment and
progressive social and political change. More information: <http://www.elainebrown.org/Brunswick%20Factsheet.php>.
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In Brooklyn, New York, Park Slope
Greens are working with other local activists in the Develop Don't
Destroy Brooklyn Coalition to head off an attempt by billionaire
developer Bruce Ratner to seize homes and businesses in Fort
Greene and Prospect Heights. Mr. Ratner, with the support of the
current Borough President and other Democratic elected officials,
wants to build an arena and 19 high-end residential skyscrapers.
Gloria Mattera, Green candidate for Brooklyn Borough President, is
challenging the plan and has publicly exposed the secret
sweetheart deals behind it. Ms. Mattera calls for a moratorium on
big scale development of high rises and big box stores until
developers agree to involve the community in decision-making and
commit to maintaining the integrity of existing neighborhoods.
More information: "Mattera Campaign Calls On Brooklyn Borough
Hall for Restraint After Supreme Court Ruling" <http://www.electgloria.org/news/campaign/20050624.php>.
"The decision proves that liberals may be as
likely as conservatives to side with wealthy and corporate interests,
and sometimes even more likely," said Greg Gerritt, secretary of
the Green Party of the United States.
"We now have reason to fear judicial
appointments made by Democrats as much as the hard-right appointments
of President Bush. We clearly need a new spectrum to describe politics
-- dedication to corporate power versus dedication to the rights of
people and the health of the environment. Let there be no doubt where
Greens stand."
Greens especially praised Justice O'Connor's
dissenting opinion:
"Any property may now be taken for the
benefit of another private property, but the fallout from this
decision will not be random. The beneficiaries are likely to be those
citizens with disproportionate influence and power in the political
process, including large corporations and development firms. As for
the victims, the government now has license to transfer property from
those with fewer resources to those with more. The Founders cannot
have intended this perverse result."
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
1711 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009.
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193