Health
Battling for Property Rights
Watchdogs at the Liberty Project say constitutional guarantees against unlawful seizure of private property are under attack to the degree that Thomas Jefferson must be spinning in his grave.
They cite recent regulations enacted in New York where automobiles driven by suspected drunk drivers can be confiscated as well as federal rules on the "taking" of private land to enforce environmental protection guidelines.
The group seeks reforms that give property owners procedural protections against unlawful search and seizure; restrict the government from seizing property of innocent owners who either were not aware or, or did not consent to, illegal activity on their property; provide lawyers for property owners who can't afford to hire their own; and redirect revenues from the resale of forfeited property to the legislative branch of government for appropriation.
"There is a rising tide of evidence seen every day that our civil liberties are being eroded," said Liberty Project founder Phil Harvey. "We believe that the scanty protections afforded individuals under current law, coupled with overzealous and unchecked law enforcement, have created an environment that breeds abuse."
They cite recent regulations enacted in New York where automobiles driven by suspected drunk drivers can be confiscated as well as federal rules on the "taking" of private land to enforce environmental protection guidelines.
The group seeks reforms that give property owners procedural protections against unlawful search and seizure; restrict the government from seizing property of innocent owners who either were not aware or, or did not consent to, illegal activity on their property; provide lawyers for property owners who can't afford to hire their own; and redirect revenues from the resale of forfeited property to the legislative branch of government for appropriation.
"There is a rising tide of evidence seen every day that our civil liberties are being eroded," said Liberty Project founder Phil Harvey. "We believe that the scanty protections afforded individuals under current law, coupled with overzealous and unchecked law enforcement, have created an environment that breeds abuse."
