Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations

The group accused the city of misusing eminent domain. / Dean Curtis / News-Leader Occupy Springfield participants had a definite strategy for Friday's action, according to "legal observer" and Occupy participant Auna Lochlan. ...

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Occupy Springfield participants had a definite strategy for Friday's action, according to "legal observer" and Occupy participant Auna Lochlan.

The local demonstration that involved about 60 people -- including eight who were arrested -- was held in conjunction with other demonstrations across the country, she said.

People who volunteered to be arrested knew the land between the Expo Center and the parking garage between St. Louis and East Trafficway is owned by Hammons Properties, she said.

The history of how the city sold the land to Hammons is an an example of how government works to advance "corporate greed," Lochlan said.

The city originally acquired land it sold to Hammons through eminent domain, she said.

"We believe it was misuse of eminent domain," she said. "It was use of eminent domain for private profiteers."

Protest participants wore dollar bills that said they will donate to the city so it can buy the land back for $1, as specified in the city's latest contract with Hammons, she said.

After City Manager Greg Burris suggested a competitive assessment to determine whether the city should exercise its right to buy back the land for $1, a Chicago firm was hired in December to evaluate the competitiveness of Springfield's convention facilities and recommend the best use for the vacant 1.7 acres.

Hammons bought the site from the city in 2008 with the promise an Embassy Suites hotel connected to the Expo Center would be built.

He failed to do by an April 2010 deadline, despite several extensions from the city.

Lochlan said Friday's action had been publicized by Occupy Springfield, and that Burris had sent an email asking what Occupy's plan was.

The group didn't respond to Burris, Lochlan said.

Burris was not available for comment Friday.

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20111112/NEWS01/111120363/Occupy-Springfield-Hammons?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CSpecial%20Reports%7Cs