Your Chance To Prevent Eminent Domain Abuse

The Coalition for Redevelopment Reform is hosting a "Kelo Call for Action Forum" this Saturday. I regret I won't be able to attend this kick-off meeting, although I do plan to help circulate their petition:

CRR Presents A KELO CALL FOR ACTION FORUM
Saturday, August 13th, 2005, 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Le Petit Trianon, 72 North Fifth Street, San Jose, California

Join in this educational and action event to support a Constitutional Amendment to protect California homes and property from eminent domain abuse.

RSVP to 408-817-5678 or in order to reserve your resource packet and refreshments

Event flyer (PDF 77 KB) (requires Adobe Reader)

As I posted a few days ago, the United States Supreme Court recently ruled that it is OK for government officials to take your home to give it to a private developer. If you prefer, here's a cartoon version of the story:

Mark Fiore, Village Voice, "Your Property Given To Deserving Corporations!"
(requires Flash browser plug-in)

The good news is that the Supreme Court left the door open for each state to pass its own laws limiting the use of eminent domain. And that's exactly what the proposed California Constitutional amendment will do. It should be a popular and widely supported proposition. I can't imagine how the TV commercials in defense of fat-cat mall developers can positively spin the issue: "Save Backroom Dealing: Vote No On Proposition X!"