In 2003, Alabaster, Alabama, a small bustling community south of Birmingham, garnered national attention through their efforts to seize property for the construction of a Wal-Mart shopping center. Ownership of the property was predominately poor and black. When national attention focused on the private property seizure, other avenues of securing the property for Wal-Mart prevailed. The procedure, while legal, would, by those familiar with the circumstances, deem the chain of events and the ensuing aftermath unethical by all standards. In the video Elizabeth Swain, her daughter, and granddaughter tell the story from the beginning to the end.

Proposed legislation seeking to remedy the abuse of eminent domain authority has been introduced during he 2009 Alabama legislative session. State Senators Scott Beason and Quinton Ross are the sponsoring legislators. They will hold a press conference at the Alabama State House on April 7th at 11:00 a.m. Please contact Senators Scott Beason at: (334) 242-7794 and Quinton Ross at: (334) 242-7880 with a resolute vote of encouragement for their stand for private property protection.

If you would like a copy of “Property Rights Abuse in Alabama,” email Don Casey at: don4132@gmail.com