Eighty-four citizens of Hinton, West Virginia are in the fight of their lives. Residents along the New River are being threatened by Federal and State land-grabbers. Soon, they may lose their homes.

It all started in 1987 when Hinton folks, who reside along State Route 26, were told by authorities that their badly worn road was soon to be repaired. The road had needed repairs and widening for some time, and those who relied on Route 26 were thrilled. Little did they know that this announcement of so-called "repairs" would mark the beginning of their fight to keep their homes and their land.

Instead of merely repairing the road, a authorities hatched a plan to build a New River Parkway. And because the new road is going to be a "parkway," much private property along the parkway and even homes within view of the parkway are marked for government acquisition. You see, parkways are supposed to be "scenic" and that means no homes, no matter how long they’ve existed, are allowed to disrupt the scenery of a "pristine environment."

The folks of Hinton aren’t taking this land grab lying down. They’re fighting. Some have formed a group called "Sisters of the River" and they maintain a website at www.inlibertyandfreedom.com/riversisters.htm. Ann Roach, a grandmother of 8 who owns a cabin along the New River in Hinton has been leading the charge against this injustice. "We were shocked to learn this sort of thing was happening all over the country and not just to us," says Ann. "They’re coming for our land and they’re going to take it."

Once again, private property is about to be taken in the name of preserving the environment. Never mind that the folks in Hinton have done a flawless job being good stewards of their land—which is more than the local government can say of its own run-down, dilapidated shacks nearby.

Again, the government is using bogus studies with no scientific basis to excuse this land grab. Once again politicians are ignoring the plight of their constituents under the excuse of protecting an environment that doesn’t need protecting.

YOU can help stop this latest land grab by calling the following elected leaders:

1. Senator Robert Byrd: Phone (202) 224-3954, Fax (202) 228-0002. One phone call from Sen. Byrd can put an end to this nonsense. Tell Sen. Byrd to get involved and stop looking the other way when his constituents need him! Tell him to save the residents on the New River in Hinton!

2. Representative Nick Rahall: Phone (202) 225 3452, Fax (202) 225-9061. Congressman Rahall is one of the leading forces behind this tyranny. Call Rep. Rahall and tell him that the property right of the New River residents ARE NOT to be trampled for the construction of his beloved pet project!

3. Norris Cantor, President of the New River Parkway Authority: Phone (304) 327-3551, Fax (304) 325-7495. Norris is the guy in charge of the land grab at the local level. He’s the one crafting the plans to swipe the land and homes right out from under the residents along the river. Let him know how you feel about that.

4. John Aliff, newly elected Commissioner of Raleigh County: Phone (304) 255-9146. As county commissioner, John Aliff has a lot of power over whether or not this land grab takes place. Originally, it appeared as if he was on the side of the property owners on the New River. However, now it is apparent he is straddling the fence. He needs to hear from us! Please call Commissioner Aliff and urge him to fight for the property rights of his constituents on the New River!

When you call, some of these weasels may lie to you and tell you that APC’s accusations aren’t true—that no land grab is in progress. I assure you, APC is working directly with residents along the New River. We are also working with the United States Justice Foundation (USJF) to bring legal action to stop this land grab.

It is urgent that the officials listed above know that their actions are under the spotlight. They must know that this land grab will not go down without a fight—and they must understand that they will be held accountable for this theft of private property.

*Note: 2002 is shaping up to be a vital year. Good patriots are defending liberty on many different fronts. We want to make APC’s Action Alert System the most effective in the nation. If you know of activists who should be receiving these alerts—especially those with distribution lists of their own—please have them contact us via feedback form or fax us at: (540) 341-8917. Thank you.