Posted on 07/05/2006 12:46:19 PM PDT by SmithL
Los Angeles -- Workers began bulldozing what was once a 14-acre urban garden Wednesday as a group of evicted farmers and their supporters protested the developer's latest move just one week before a judge is scheduled to hear a lawsuit over the sale and ownership of the land.
The farmers were evicted three weeks ago after property owner Ralph Horowitz alerted farmers he planned to develop the land. For years, neighborhood residents had farmed the site rent free.
One protester Wednesday chained himself to a bulldozer and firefighters were called to cut him loose. Another was arrested for lying in front of the bulldozer, said Dan Stormer, a lawyer for the farmers.
"What was once a beautiful set of gardens, if this goes through, will now be a pile of rubble," Stormer said.
Rufina Juarez, a spokeswoman for the farmers, said the crowd of 100 was expected to grow as word spread.
"More people are coming," she said.
Farmers have vowed to fight the development plan, but have been unable to negotiate a deal with landowner Ralph Horowitz.
"We've been trying to have mediation with Mr. Horowitz especially with the upcoming court trial," said Fernando Flores, a volunteer with the farmers. "He's just been refusing the mediation."
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Oh please some pics would be the icing on my day
Watch out, that's a mantra at DU. :)
Rachel Corrie wannabe's
I guess "farmers" sounds better than Urban Squatter Gardeners.
"Farmers" hell!
They were subsidized squatters who were given many months of "free access' to leave HIS property, and THEy refused because THEY did not want to buy (er, produce their urban gardens" rent-free elsewhere.
These are NOT "farmers" but urban ex-hippies who want to grow their backyard crops on somebody's property free.
these obvioulsy illegal aliens should be grateful they were allowed to live off the land, rent-free for so many years...
Thing to remember is that this is Los Angeles. Only folks there with water are those who pay for it or who have water rights somewhere else and ship it in (e.g. City of Los Angeles).
Without water or water rights, land in desert California has no value for farming.
"What was once a beautiful set of gardens, if this goes through, will now be a pile of rubble,"
How does a bulldozer render a garden into rubble? If the soil is composed of concrete I don't see how anything would grow in the first place.
The urban farmers and their Hollywood buddies could have bought the land. But no, they want it given to the farmers.
What?
Oh never mind....
from the "south Central Farm" Press Release of June 10 - I'm sure they want their phone nbr included here, since it was included with Joan Baez's comments over there:
---
SOUTH CENTRAL FARMERS Press Advisory
Saturday, June 10
Media Contact
Fernando Flores (909) 605-3136
Leslie Morava (310) 428-9380
Tree-Sit Day 19
Joan Baez Returns to South Central Farm
Farm Leader Rufina Juarez Assumes Community Watchtower position from Julia Butterfly Hill Who Descends From Tree After 26-Day Fast Los Angeles –The South Central Farm community watchtower tree-sit and encampment began 19 days ago to maintain protective watch over the 14 acre farm. This action focused in the walnut trees has been anchored in prayer and fasting by Julia Butterfly Hill. This prayer will continue as community leaders watch over the land in their ongoing commitment to protect the farm. Last night’s 7 pm prayer vigil commenced by celebrating shabat with breaking of bread, signifying the unification of all races in pledged commitment to save the farm.
“We started this tree-sit to grow the community watching over the safety of South Central Farm,” says Julia Butterfly Hill, “This community is now global. The world is watching and it cares.”
As the world now watches, elected farm representative Rufina Juarez will climb into the walnut tree to continue the community-run tree vigil and prayer fast replacing Julia Butterfly Hill. Joan Baez demonstrates her ongoing solidarity with the farmers with her return.
“The tree-sit has helped to focus the spotlight on South Central Farm bringing world wide attention to this unique community. We have learned so much from the tree-sitters and we will carry their tradition and continue with the three-year peaceful protest to save the farm,” states
farmers’ elected representative, Rufina Juarez.
WHEN:
Saturday, June 10, 10 a.m.
WHAT:
PRESS CONFERENCE
WHO:
Joan Baez, Elected Farmers’ Representatives Tezozomoc and Rufina Juarez, South Central
Farmers’ Attorney Dan Stormer, Daryl Hannah, Julia Butterfly Hill, John Quigley, South Central
farmers and supporters
WHERE:
South Central Farm
4000 S. Alameda, Los Angeles, CA 90058
Interest in South Central Farm is spreading across the nation and around the world, while calls and donations of support are flooding in. South Central Farm represents the very real opportunity to make our cities more livable, safe and productive. Its preservation has become a priority not
just for concerned Angelenos, but citizens worldwide as farmers and supporters risk imminent eviction.
Over 600 Midnight Rider bicycle riders showed up Friday night at 11 pm to encircle the South Central Farm, showing their support.
it is Horowitz's land, and he wants to build a couple of businesses on it - They have been putting their backyard gardens (mostly small plots on it for several months after he purchased it on told them to get off.
they had never paid nor had a contract to "farm" Horowitz's land.
"Farmers have vowed to fight the development plan, but have been unable to negotiate a deal with landowner Ralph Horowitz."
Lets see...The person that owns the land told the squatting gardeners that they could no longer plant their veggies for free, now they want to sue him? That would only make sense in California.
Where can we donate a gallon of gas for the bulldozers?
Actually, its gonna be a lovely warehouse.
If they wanted to keep their garden, they needed to pony up the $$$! Where are the Hollyweirdo elites on this? Why didn't they pony up some of their excessive earnings to help?
Oh, right. The gub'mint is supposed to seize the land.
Julia Butterfried Hole!
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