The power of eminent domain can be tough to stop, but with community support in fighting for the rights of a given neighborhood, it can be achieved especially when that power is not used in the spirit in which it was intended. Too many government agencies have been allowed to drift away from their power to condemn private property through their power of eminent domain for the public benefit. I see it in my own community where the local government is acquiring private property for private, for profit, re-development. This was not the intention of the power of eminent domain; it was to acquire private property for the public benefit as in, let's say, building a new roadway.
A coalition was formed in 2002 to try and stop this abuse. Castle Coalition is a grassroots organization helping to work with citizens and legislators to reform eminent domain laws across the country. In Chicago, coordinator Christina Walsh has been helping property owners keep their homes and small businesses in the Lincoln Square community from the hands of the city. An individual may find it difficult to 'fight City Hall', but with the support of members of the Lincoln Square community, this neighborhood has been removed from the city's "involuntary acquisition" list". "The city planned to place 16 properties - housing more than 30 businesses - on an acquisition list to make way for future private development". http://www.ij.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2042&Itemid=245
A predominantly elderly African-American Lawndale neighborhood, with a median income of $18,000, was being threatened by economic development. There were 41 properties, on the city's west side that "would qualify to be condemned by the city". This is where Christina Walsh puts on her boxing gloves as she helps organize the citizens to form the "Lawndale Alliance, which will work to ensure that the city takes out the threat of eminent domain". http://blog.castlecoalition.org/blog/?p=91
This is a typical 'David and Goliath' story where a community organizes together against the city's practice of using their power of eminent domain for the unjust acquisition of private property. These two cases became success stories because of the impact that grassroots efforts had in mustering public support against neighborhoods being added to the city's "involuntary acquisition list".
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