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November 1, 2006
PRESS RELEASE: Students and Residents call on Spitzer to Review Abuse of Eminent Domain
400 Letters from Students and West Harlem Residents Delivered to Spitzer in Yonkers
Student Coalition on Expansion and Gentrification
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cssn/expansion
NEW YORK, NY – In the run-up to the election, students and community members concerned about Columbia’s planned expansion into West Harlem are calling on Attorney-General Eliot Spitzer to declare a moratorium on eminent domain to prevent its further abuses, pending investigation. A group of Columbia students, costumed for Halloween, presented 400 letters to the gubernatorial candidate at a public appearance in Yonkers this morning. . Eminent domain has been used repeatedly over the years at the impetus of private interests and the expense of numerous New York City communities. In Manhattanville, the proposed use of eminent domain threatens to displace hundreds of families and vital community businesses, excluding the community from the decision process.
The students asked Eliot Spitzer to support New York communities against the abuse of eminent domain power and to hold a review of the process. The Columbia Student Coalition on Expansion and Gentrification is working with the Coalition to Preserve Community to spearhead this effort.
Posted by lumi at November 1, 2006 6:33 AM