Remembering Kelo
This past week, more than 200 hundred citizens gathered outside a small pink house in the district of New London, Connecticut, for a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the third anniversary of the Kelo vs. New London Supreme Court decision and to commemorate the successful relocation and reconstruction of Susette Kelo's home. The house and the land it once stood upon became famous on June 23, 2005, when the Court issued its 5-4 split ruling in favor of the City's authority to take Kelo's property for a public purpose. This ruling shocked the nation, as it was a violation the spirit and letter of the 5th Amendment which clearly states, "nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."
As a result of the ruling,Susette Kelo lost the right to remain in her home on her property. Due to the media attention surrounded this case, the city allowed her to physically relocate the house to a new property.
The home was saved to stand as a symbol for the national property rights awakening and the nationwide backlash against eminent domain abuse, resulting in judicial decisions, citizen activism, initiatives, and legislation in favor of property owners.
Since Kelo, two state supreme courts have rejected the decision as violating protections in their state constitutions.
Forty-two states have changed their eminent domain laws either through citizen initiative or legislation. About half are viewed as substantive. Florida's reforms are considered among the strongest in the nation.
Excerpted from Coalition for Property Rights post, June 27, 2008