Legal Trend: No Talking About Eminent Domain. Eminent Domain is Fight Club.

The Institute of Justice is asking the US Supreme Court to reveiw a 4th Circuit Court of Appeals case that prohibits banners protesting the use of eminent domain. Why the hush-hush?

• Central Radio had been in Norfolk for 80 years.
• Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority wanted its land and buildings for Old Dominion University
• Central Radio put up a banner on its own property which read ” “50 years on this street/78 years in Norfolk/100 workers/Threatened by eminent domain”
• The sign would have been ok if it was on other topics
• Old Dominion complained.
• Norfolk  fined Central Radio
• VA Supreme Court said- Can’t take the land. Central Radio Wins on Eminent Domain.
• The banner issue went to federal court, which has thus far ruled against Central Radio.

Moral of the Story: If you live in Norfolk, don’t put up signs in protest of eminent domain. There’s no talking about eminent domain while your property is being taken by eminent domain. 

Washington Post