FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2005
10:25 EST
URGENT ACTION NEEDED!
The South Central Community Garden in Los Angeles, CA, a 360-plot, 14-acre
urban oasis, is scheduled to be demolished and replaced by a warehouse. This
is believed to be the largest urban community garden in the country and 350
farmers and families work this land. Many of the community gardeners are
seamstresses, laborers or restaurant workers earning $12,000-$20,000 a year.
These gardens provide an important source of food for their families. It
also serves as a community gathering place, with musical, spiritual and
cultural celebrations.
This project is an enormous success for the farmers, the families, the
community and the city. Mayor Villaraigosa himself visited the garden with
his son while campaigning for office. This is a shining example of
successful community development using urban gardening and production as the
vehicle. This is why this is so important. We musn't let this be lost. There
must be another way.
According to Patrick Dunlevy, attorney for the farmers "There's no legal
option at this point. It would have to be some sort of willing concession on
the part of Ralph Horowitz (the developer), who could decide that for the
public good he will allow them to continue farming there." Or the city could
give Mr. Horowitz another location for his warehouse.
Please help spread the word to people you know in Los Angeles and the
surrounding area and ask them to contact the Mayor and urge him to work with
Ralph Horowitz and the community gardeners to find another solution, one
where everyone wins.
Below is the website for the South Central Farmers Feeding Families, a group
set up by the community farmers and gardeners. There you can read more about
this community asset and
learn how you can help in solidarity.
www.southcentralfarmers.com
I also suggest reading The Cuba Diet, by Bill McKibben. You can find it in
the April 2005 edition of Harper's. It's another shining example of what we
are capable of if we work together.
Please circulate.
--
Bob St.Peter
Blue Hill, Maine
bob@indepedentfoodproject.org