Eminent domain battle continues for Susette Kelo

February 7, 10:42 AMCivil Liberties ExaminerJ.D. Tuccille

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Susette Kelo's little pink house, which started an
ongoing debate over the limits of eminent domain.

Government officials wish we'd forget about Susette Kelo, and about the U.S. Supreme Court decision that said the government can steal our homes and businesses and award them to anybody who might generate more tax revenue for local coffers -- acts of avarice disguised under the term "'economic development." But Kelo's loss in her battle with New London, Connecticut hasn't stopped her fight against the abusive use of the power of eminent domain by politicians who have as little respect for people as they do for property rights.

In the video below, recorded at the Cato Institute, Susette Kelo recounts some of the details of her battle to save her home from city officials allied with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.

Susette Kelo's story is now told in Little Pink House: A True Story of Defiance and Courage, by Jeff Benedict. And her efforts to reinforce and preserve property rights continue, largely through legislation and constitutional amendments at the state level, since the federal courts have proven to be unhelpful. The Institute for Justice, which represented Kelo, is behind the Castle Coalition, which works to protect homes and businesses from governments and their friends. The Castle Coalition offers model constitutional and legislative language for people living in states that have yet to take adequate steps to preserve private property.

Contact J.D.: civilliberties (at) tuccille.com