Koch-backed group's fake eviction notices rile up Detroit

Residents in a Detroit neighborhood received a scare this week when they found what appeared to be eviction notices on their doors. The flyers, however, turned out to be political pamphlets in opposition to the construction of a controversial new bridge.

The fake eviction notices were posted by a local chapter of Americans for Prosperity, the conservative political advocacy group backed by Charles and David Koch, the billionaire brothers who run Koch Industries and are longtime libertarians. Local political leaders and columnists are condemning the group for scaring residents -- whose homes sit in the epicenter of the nation's foreclosure crisis -- while refusing to disclose which of its corporate backers are funding the flyers.

At the center of the flyer in question, in large print, reads: "Eviction Notice." In medium print, the top of the flyer reads, "This property is subject to seizure by the Michigan Department of Transportation." Only in small print does the flyer say the property in question could be seized if legislation approving the bridge is passed.

Michigan's Republican Gov. Rick Snyder supports the bridge construction, as did his Democratic predecessor Jennifer Granholm. The bridge would link Detroit to Canada, and Canada has agreed to fund a loan for its construction. So far its construction has failed to receive state legislative support, in part because of lobbying, particularly from private bridge company Ambassador Bridge, the Michigan Messenger reports.

Calling American for Prosperity's fake eviction notices "emotional terrorism," Detroit Free Press editorial editor Stephen Henderson points out that if the bridge project were approved, no one would be technically "evicted" -- the law requires that any land acquisition for such a project come with remuneration, and land owners in areas with depressed home values can even end up better off.

Still, the fake eviction notices had residents on edge. Resident Steve Toth told the Free Press his elderly mother saw the flyer and "damn near keeled over," while one of his neighbors was "beside himself."

Scott Hagerstrom, American for Prosperity's Michigan state director, told the Free Press the group had no apologies for the flyer.

"It was meant to startle people," he said. "We really wanted people to take notice. This is the time that their opinions need to be heard. We wanted people to read it."

State Rep. Rashida Tlaib reportedly said the flyers created "chaos" among her constituents. State Sen. Coleman Young II, whose name was on the flyer as the politician to contact about the bridge, called the flyer "slime-ball, gutter politics."

"Americans for Prosperity has linked arms with Ambassador Bridge Owner Matty Moroun in order to preserve the monopoly Moroun enjoys now," Henderson wrote.

The Detroit International Bridge Co. -- the operating arm of Ambassador Bridge -- released a statement saying it had nothing to do with the flyers, even though it has been lobbying heavily against the bridge.

"Let me be clear that the Detroit International Bridge Co. had nothing to do with the bogus eviction notices posted at homes in southwest Detroit yesterday," the company's president Dan Stamper said in a statement. "Although we disagree with plans for a bridge that would disrupt the neighborhood and displace residents, we would never distribute misleading information to disturb or upset residents."

Still, it's impossible to know who is behind the Americans for Prosperity campaign since recent developments in campaign finance, including the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision, allow such groups to keep its donors private.

[levelheadedtoo]

Someone recently said if the poor just hired a few influential lobbyist in DC they could get what they want. Everything and everyone in DC is for sale to the highest bidder. Until that changes then the Americans for Prosperity will get what they want.

[hhandyman]

One more reason to keep people in line? The right to seek Happyness and the right to private property are in the constituton but the right of a non living entity to produce and distribute such political garbage is classic of big business having more rights than living breathing citzens The supreme court decision was wrong it was a theft of rights of the citizens while giving a free reign of terror by the boards or the Monied classes.

[san850]

More slime from the Koch Bros......the puppetmasters and sugar daddies of the Tea Party. Aren't you proud?

[bluenana]

I agree! It takes a big Rich man to stoop so low. It sure is sad that the only way Republicans feel like they can win is by sticking the screws to everyone else. Saying no to honesty because they can cheat their way to controlling every one and every thing with money. Evidently their father never set very good examples on right and wrong.

[bilrobi1]

Justme. Eminent Domain has been on the books in this country for many years. So does that mean that the nasty socialist have existed during other administrations? The present Governor is a Republican and supports the plan to build a bridge. Is he a socialist?

[justme2012]

If a person goes out an commits a crime, they are given legal representation on the taxpayers dime.

If a person is at home, minding their own business and the government or one of it's proxies, decides to take that home, the person is told they only get legal repesentation if they can afford to buy it for themselves.

That is wrong. That is evil. That is un-American and yet it is America.

[bluenana]

I agree! I don't understand where the hate comment came from.

[gadfly65]

This is just another example of the scare tactics that conservatives are using in their war on the middle class. Compare this to their alarmist lies about health care.

[justme2012]

This is just another example of socialists taking people's homes.

[bluenana]

That is for sure. Justyou2012 must be a Republican or is another one of their victims.

[justme2012]

"Stephen Henderson points out that if the bridge project were approved, no one would be technically "evicted" -- the law requires that any land acquisition for such a project come with remuneration, "

Hope the citizens take to heart this wake up notice. If approved they will have their homes taken from them, with the value of the homes being set by those doing the taking, there is no "right to legal councel for the poor" to save their homes or fight the values offered. Eminent Domain is an ugly business with the deck stacked against the poor home owners who want to stay in their homes.

Basically homeowners have limited rights that are only available for the rich. Poor people, might as well pack up and leave.

[barbadams82]

Only home owners get compensating, meaning people who rent won't get anything. Even for home owners... the Michigan Constitution only mandates that people are compensated for 125 percent of assessed value. For those not familiar with the Delray neighborhood, that could end up being just a few thousand dollars for each house!! How will these people find another place to live? All this for an unnecessary bridge.

[blindersoff]

Why keep up the charade these guys are "Libertarian"? They practically own the Republican party. They are completely for big business and against the workers. They've managed to convince certain ones that they are on their side, but they are laughing behind the back of working people.

[justme2012]

They are libertarian because they think that the government doesn't have the right to simply take people's homes away from them. I agree with them.

[bilrobi1]

Justme. Are you actually saying the Koch Brothers are only concerned about these people loosing their homes? There motivation is profit.

[jimbom121]

Shocked...in the age where the Michigan goveror is taking over towns, of course people are on edge. This was stupid. But for a group that specializes in scare tactics, it's not surprising.

[justme2012]

Scary yes, but do you have any idea how many cases of government taking of land and homes there are every day and just what few rights landowners and families even have??

[jimbom121]

yes, plenty. Its been happening since the country was founded and has been consistently upheld by the supreme court.