Urban Farmers in South Central LA face eviction

[darlo70]

Ihave posted this elsewhere and am spreading the message. I believe it is relevant as an Environmental Issue

OK, quite political for my 1st ever post here. Rather than inform you all about my 1st plot here in Darlington and all the brambles I have to clear, I want to bring to people's attention the plight faced by the farmers who tend to the urban farm in South Central Los Angeles. At 14 acres and divided into 360 plots, it is the largest community farm in the USA. It has been in existence since 1992 and the families using the plots are low-income and are very reliant on the food they produce there. They also participate in Farmers Markets and local cultural events. South Central is an area blighted with crime, hard drugs, guns and low expectations. Such a facility is vital to providing alternatives to such a lifestyle and giving people a sense of community. I understand the land was sold for $5M to a fat cat developer Ralph Horowitz and his associates in 2003. They now intend for this fertile land to be replaced with a cement warehousing complex and on 1st March served an eviction notice giving them till 6th March to leave. The courts have managed to put this back to 13th when there will be a court hearing. The Mayor of LA, Antonio Villaraigosa, has publicly expressed his support for the farm and is trying to negotiate with Horowitz with a view to buying the land. Apparently he will accept about $16M and $9M has been raised so far. I am not asking people to donate but to voice their support from across the pond.

Please visit www.southcentralfarmers.com to get the latest and show some solidarity.
I visit LA every year or two (Dad lives there)and am planning a trip this summer. If a legal wrangle is still ongoing at that time, I fully intend to visit this facility. it would be great to send messages of support from the UK allotment/self sufficient community and get some pictures of my visit.

I will bore you eventually with progress of my new plot here in Blighty