Hinga Mbogo opened his auto repair shop along Ross Avenue in Dallas, Texas more than 30 years ago, and has been serving satisfied customers there ever since. Owning his own business was the American Dream he’d been chasing since 1974, when he immigrated to the United States from Kenya.

But now Dallas has shut him down and levied more than $300,000 in fines against him. Why? Because, as one city council member put it, Dallas needed to shut down Hinga’s garage in order to attract businesses like Starbucks and the Macaroni Grill.

Using zoning laws to destroy small businesses is wrong. What they are doing is eminent domain in disguise, but without compensation. It is state-run gentrification.

We’re raising money for a “Stop Zoning Abuse Defense Fund” for Hinga because no one should have to risk going bankrupt in order to stand up for what is right. At this point, the city’s lawsuit is pending in court. We expect a decision this summer. The city has asked the court to levy fines of $1,000 for each day Hinga spent waiting on the city to hear and decide his appeal of their zoning decision. The Institute for Justice is representing Hinga pro bono (free).

If a judge rules against Hinga, the funds raised by this campaign will go to help pay Hinga’s fines. If justice prevails and Higna wins, any money you contribute will be refunded.