Fraudulent Use of Eminent Domain in ATL— The Peoplestown Story - June 6, 2022
Channel: Zak Norton
Date: 2022-06-12

Peoplestown resident Tanya Washington delivers a remarkably succinct summary of the ongoing struggle in her neighborhood and the City of Atlanta's 10-year crusade to take her home by a wrongful eminent domain justification at Atlanta's City Council on June 6, 2022. 

Pack The Court for Tanya Washington
Monday, June 13, 2022 at 9am
Fulton County Superior Court
Courtroom 8J
136 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

Nine years ago, the City of Atlanta under the direction of then-Mayor Reed began the process of taking homes on a block in the heart of Peoplestown. Over 5 years ago the City of Atlanta sued the remaining four residents, of the original 27 families originally on the block, who would not yield to the City’s threats to use eminent domain. 

In 2016, the City acquired legal title to their homes and the four home defenders, including Robert and Bertha Darden and Tanya Washington Hicks, began fighting these unlawful takings in court. Six months ago a judge ordered the City to produce the engineering modeling the law requires the City to have to use eminent domain. Three months ago the City turned over all of the documents relevant to the takings, including documents revealing the City didn’t do the modeling until 2018 AFTER they took the homes! This past Monday, Tanya Washington and Bertha Darden addressed Atlanta City Council asking the Mayor to honor his unequivocal campaign promise to build the planned park and pond around their homes . The following day, Judge Tusan scheduled a hearing on the City’s eviction and contempt petition requesting that Tanya Washington, her husband and their 6 year old son be put out of their home.

“It’s clear that instead of being accountable for making multiple mistakes that led to dozens of homes being taken without justification required under the state federal eminent domain law, our City’s leaders are trying to sweep this problem under the rug. We are tired of black residents being forced to bear the brunt of our leaders' poor approach to dealing with the lack of housing affordability, displacement and the desire for development”, stated Executive Director of Housing Justice League Alison Johnson. 

Tanya Washington’s eviction hearing is scheduled for Monday June 13, 2022 at 9am in courtroom 8J of the Fulton County Superior Court. Supporters of this near-decade flight will join Mrs. Washington at the hearing and she and the Dardens will hold a press conference on the steps of the courthouse, following the court proceedings. Press is encouraged to follow protocols to cover the court hearing and the press conference.

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