Supreme Court petitioned to hear eminent domain appeal

Here is an excerpt from Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn on their petition...... after my mini rant: you can also go to www.developdontdestroy.org and read more. I support their struggle and the same with the community fighting Colubmia University's eminent domain abuse

(My mini rant on mega student housing. I continue to say NYU doesn't need to abuse eminent domain and in the East Village, NYU is a mega vulture that waits for buildings to empty, to supersize if they can get away with it.    NYU mega dormed the East Village to death and joining NYU is the New School, Cooper Union, SVA, and NY LAW all with  supersized  student housing as evictions continue to rise.  Eminent domain abuse not required in the East Village.)

Develop don't Destroy Brooklyn:
"We've always suspected that it might take the highest court in the land to see that the use of eminent domain for Atlantic Yards is not a public use, and thus violates the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution. Now that has come to pass.

Late yesterday 11 homeowners, business owners and renters with property in the proposed Atlantic Yards footprint filed a petition asking the Supreme Court of the United States to hear their eminent domain appeal, which was dismissed on February 1 by the Second Circuit Court. The petition provides the Court with an important opportunity to address the appropriate constitutional limits on the government's power to seize private homes for the benefit of powerful real estate developers like Bruce Ratner.

Given the mammoth scale and footprint of the project, Atlantic Yards is dependent on the use of eminent domain; it cannot be built unless Ratner succeeds in wresting the properties from the plaintiffs. Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards project relies on a violation of their constitutional rights.

That's where you come in. At every new stage in this fight, we've asked for your support, and you have responded, selflessly and generously, in what has been and continues to be a long legal battle and a long community fight.

We are asking again now because the need for your financial support is so immediate and critical. As the courageous plaintiffs fight to save their homes and businesses, and step up the federal ladder to ask the highest court in the United States to hear their case, it is incumbent upon the community to do its share, and support their defense of their rights.

If you have already contributed to our legal efforts, this is the time to consider doing so again. And if you haven't yet had the opportunity to help, it's easy to get started. You can make a secure, fully tax-deductible, online contribution today at: www.dddb.net/php/donate.php

Or you can mail your contribution to:
Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn
121 5th Avenue, PMB #150
Brooklyn, New York 11217

The filing of this excellently argued petition with the Supreme Court of the United States is funded almost entirely by people like you, through grassroots contributions from the community. Thousands of individuals have made donations, but the potential for success in these court challenges continues to hinge on your generous support.

Please be generous.
Legal fees for the suit's stellar constitutional attorneys amount to over $300/hour.
Thank you! "
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