Eminent Domain's 'Devastating' Impact On African-Americans

Study concludes that eminent domain has evolved into a tool for the 'rich and the powerful" to take from the 'poor and politically weak'.

1 minute read

February 16, 2007, 10:00 AM PST

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech

"'Eminent domain has become what the founding fathers sought to prevent: a tool that takes from the poor and the politically weak to give to the rich and politically powerful,' concludes Dr. Mindy Fullilove in her new report released today titled, "Eminent Domain & African Americans: What is the Price of the Commons?"

"In this study, Dr. Fullilove, ...a professor of clinical psychiatry and public health at Columbia University, examines the effects of eminent domain abuse on the African American community. Focusing specifically on the Federal Housing Act (FHA) of 1949, Dr. Fullilove finds that [blacks are] 'five times more likely to be displaced than they should have been given their numbers in the population.'"

"Although urban renewal under the FHA was discontinued in 1973, Dr. Fullilove reported 'the tools of urban renewal had been honed through 20 years of projects. Politicians and developers found that they could repackage eminent domain and government subsidies in many new ways, facilitating the taking of land for ‘higher uses.'"

FULL STORY: New Study Details Devastating Effects of Eminent Domain Abuse on African Americans (Press Release)

Thursday, February 15, 2007 in Castle Coalition

Government / Politics United States

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