Local residents are invited to a community meeting at 10:15 a.m. Saturday at the Newton Public Library, to discuss the Dec. 15 hearing for nine Iowa landowners’ lawsuit against the state for misuse of eminent domain in the case of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
“The use of eminent domain for a private company sets a dangerous precedent for all Iowans,” Kathy Holdefer, Mingo landowner, said. “It’s crucial that we share our views about how the pipeline was ‘sold’ to the public, and also the specifics about how eminent domain was used to seize land for the profit of a private company.”
Dakota Access, the company building the pipeline across Iowa, was given the power of eminent domain earlier this year to build a privately-owned oil pipeline, even though 74 percent of Iowans oppose the use of eminent domain for that purpose.
The Dec. 15 hearing will be at 9 a.m. at the Polk County Courthouse in Des Moines. Various groups are holding a press conference prior to that hearing, and a rally and march after.
The Dec. 10 meeting in Newton is open to all who want to share views and learn more. The meeting will last approximately one hour. Homemade pie and coffee will be available.
For more information about the meeting, contact Kathy Holdefer at 515-491-8468. For information about the hearing and rally, visit www.boldiowa.org.