Hello good farmers and families:
I work with urban farmers in Chicago, and I received an 11th
hour notice today about your fight. I've sent an email to
your Mayor to offer the support from the national movement.
I wanted to send you a copy of that letter, adapted from your
form letter. Please use examples from Chicago in any way
that they're useful.
My heart hurts for your fight, no matter how inevitable
it is in the work we do. 14 acres of urban farmland
that have been in production for over a decade is too
much for the national movement to lose without a fight
to support you.
Please include me in any announcements or calls for action.
with you,
Rasha
arch 2, 2006
Dear Honorable Antonio Villaraigosa:
It's come to the attention of our national networks of urban
agriculture that an eviction notice was posted on the west gate
of the South Central Farm by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department at 2:00pm, yesterday March 1, 2006. According to
the notice the 14 acre farm (the largest urban farm in the
nation) needs to be vacated by Monday March 6, 2006.
Until the end of that day, it will still be legal for
the farmers to remain on the land. As part of a national
movement, I am concerned that the farmers have been left
at the mercy of a real estate developer who has demonstrated
an intense desire to destroy 13 years worth of a successful
community farm.
I am very concerned that the community is now being asked to
bear the profit of 11 million dollars for the real estate
developer. Further, I support the citizens of Los Angeles
to address the primary decision maker regarding the land,
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and urge him to do more than
suggest that the working class community connected to the
farm raise $16 million or more through individual contributions.
Those who conceded the sale have an essential liability to
return this asset to the community.
In support of my colleagues and fellow farmers, I am calling on
Congressman Xavier Becerra, Speaker of the California Assembly,
Fabian Nuñez, County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, Mayor
Antonio Villaraigosa, and the whole city council to 1) nullify
the sale with Ralph Horowitz, or 2) take the land by eminent
domain, or 3) take on the burden of fundraising to buy the
land that was given away to a speculative developer,
4) establish a public land trust to transfer land for green
space and public gardens, as Chicago has. The land belongs in
the community for the good of the community. It belongs to the
nation and the world as a example of our possible future.
The City of Chicago has consistently supported urban agriculture
and greening as a positive and essential component of good city
planning and urban prosperity and development. You can develop
and still retain green and growing spaces. In fact, you must!
Please take Chicago as an example, which has established
Neighborspace to protect urban green spaces. Take a look at
www.neighbor-space.org to learn how the model works and could
be a useful tool for the city of Los Angeles.
It is not necessary to destroy the community farm. Help us
prevent the destruction of this 13-year project that has become
an asset to South Central Los Angeles and a world-class model
for urban living in the 21st century. We call upon you to
reconsider the destruction of the 14-acre community farm in
South Central Los Angeles. Surely an alternative site can be
found for Mr. Ralph Horowitz somewhere else along the Alameda
Corridor.
Realize that people all over the country are watching the
decision you make. Please choose accordingly.
With sincere intent,
Rasha Abdulhadi
Chicago, IL
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