Navajo says evictions of farmers from urban farm sends a message

Navajo says evictions of farmers from urban farm sends a message

© Indian Country Today June 19, 2006. All Rights Reserved

Posted: June 19, 2006

by: Brenda Norrell / Indian Country Today







LOS ANGELES - Indigenous and others who have been growing food in downtown Los Angeles' South Central Farm for a decade, faced off with sheriff's deputies as they were evicted to make room for a warehouse. Actress Daryl Hannah and others climbed into a walnut tree or chained themselves to concrete-filled barrels and were arrested.

Klee Benally, Navajo from Arizona, was at South Central Farm and said the creation of this oasis - an urban garden - and the arrests and evictions should send a signal to Indian country and the nation.

''The South Central Farm is an environmental and cultural oasis in the midst of Los Angeles. Many of the farmers who have been cultivating the fields that I met there are indigenous peoples from Central America,'' Benally told Indian Country Today.

''For years prayers have been offered on this land; there were visible altars and many herbs for healing. I offered my prayers as well.''.....



READ FULL ARTICLE: http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096413162