The government’s taking of people’s homes so new homes can be built for richer people is unjust and un-American.

This July Fourth, the city of Long Branch is hosting a celebration of America’s birthday on its promenade. At the same time, the city is denying America’s promise of "liberty and justice for all" to the Americans who live near the promenade’s north end.

The city says it has to take people’s homes to attract large developers to eliminate bight. Well, the developers came and the blight is gone. There is no reason to take any more homes. If what the city really wants is for this established neighborhood to look better to conform to the new development, the city could give these homeowners the same tax breaks and guidance from professional planners it has given to the developers to accomplish that goal.

At each of their meetings, the Long Branch mayor and council members pledge their "allegiance to the flag of the United States of America … one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." But these leaders seem to have lost their way. Their allegiance, along with liberty and justice, has been hijacked by developers who live under the rule of the almighty dollar as opposed to almighty God.

Public sentiment, on the other hand, is on the side of these embattled homeowners. We average Americans with all our flaws, know simple injustice when we see it. But the mayor and council have been blinded by the lure of flashy developers.

This is a plea to them, to Adam and the council members: Look again at the people whose homes you are taking. They are you, your mother, your father, your sister and brother. They are Americans, and they are at your mercy. Then, look to your God, your conscience, your heart, and your Pledge of Allegiance, the things that make being an American special.

You’ll know what to do. Summon the courage. One hundred years from now it will not matter if developers make a few more million or not, but Long Branch — and indeed, America — will be a better place because you made "with liberty and justice for all" more than just empty words that begin the council meetings.

Why not finish beachfront north planning on a high note, rather than by dragging people from their homes?

On July Fourth, give these ordinary Americans who just want to live in peace like you and I, their freedom — freedom from what has become for them the tyranny of redevelopment. You will then become the proud leaders you aspire to be, without the stain of injustice on your record.

You will have inspired our youth and shown them America is so much greater than its culture of greed.

History will record you among the great American leaders who stood for justice when called upon, among those leaders that so inspired our generation but whom the new generation does not know. And, on July Fourth, the celebration on the promenade will really be a celebration of "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Barbara Gonos

West Long Branch