South Central Farmers and Supporters to Meet with Representatives of Antonio Villaraigosa's Office. (Aug. 5th, 2005) 9 a.m.

On July 29th, 2005; South Central Farmers and Supporters met with Antonio Villaraigosa's representatives over the use of police as agents of repression.

Los Angeles, Calif. (PRWEB) August 5, 2005 -- On July 29th, 2005, South Central Farmers and Supporters met with Antonio Villaraigosa's representatives over the use of police as agents of repression.

Now South Central Farmers and Supporters are scheduled to Meet with Representatives of Antonio Villaraigosa's Office on Aug. 5th, 2005, 9 a.m.

To: Media at large
From: The South Central Farmers' Leadership

What: Protest/Rally outside of City Hall

When: August 5th 2005, 7:30 a.m.

Where: 200 N. Main St.

Why:

1. We resolve that the Police are being used as agents of repression against the South Central Farmers and the Citizens of South Central (see recent killing Suzie Peņa). The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has solely used the police to conduct illegal lock cutting and has attempted to remove the democratically elected leadership of the South Central Farmers. We feel that this is an injustice against citizens and poor people of South Central.

2. We resolve that the City Council and the Mayor's office have the power to find Mr. Horowitz an alternative site for his warehouse. The community has spoken and requests that the South Central Farmers remain in their 14-acre farm at 41st and Alameda Ave. This farm represents an oasis and a jewel to the stakeholders of South Central.

On July 29th, 2005, the South Central Farmers and supporters of over 250 people shut down city hall. We could not speak to the city council so a coalition of organizations went to Antonio Villaraigosa's office. We met with Larry Frank and Marcus Allen, Deputies for the mayor. We presented the demands of the community. They called for another meeting on August 5th, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. in the morning.

We are scheduled to meet with said individuals again and we call out to all community organizations to join us on a day of protest at City Hall. Bring your concerns and issues and join the South Central Farmers and other community stakeholders in confronting the Los Angeles City Council. The community is tired of being over muscled by the police and over run by real estate interests.
Enough is enough!

On June 30, 2005, the Court of Appeal reversed the Superior Court's order granting the preliminary injunction. The South Central Farmers Feeding Families have 40 days from June 30 to petition the California Supreme Court to review the Court of Appeal's ruling. If the Supreme Court declines to hear the case, the urban garden will be demolished in about three months.

The Court of Appeal ignored the law and sound public policy in overturning the injunction that was in place on the property. The Los Angeles City Charter allows the City to sell real property it determines that it no longer needs. Before selling property it no longer needs, the City must comply with various procedures designed to ensure that the City does not squander resources by selling property it needs. The intent of the Charter is that the City sell only property it no longer needs. The City's sale of the garden property to the Horowitz interests did not comply with the procedures required for sale of property no longer needed by the City. The Court of Appeal held, nevertheless, that the City did not have to comply with these provisions because it had not determined that it no longer needed the garden property.

For More information: (see below)
Sponsored by:

South Central Coalition
Please call for information.
(323) 232-8316

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/saveourgarden

The protection of the health and the safety of the people; the right of people to produce their means of subsistence" -- Lil' Joe

Information for the Media:

Horowitz, Ralph
2800 Neilson Way #APT 907
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone: (310) 392-7086

Horowitz, Ralph
11911 San Vicente Blvd #275
LosAngeles, CA 90049
Phone: (310) 440-7878

Michael Flood
Executive Director of Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
1734 E. 41st St.
Los Angeles, CA 90058
(323) 234-3030 x148
Fax (323) 234-1520

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
200 North Spring Street, Room 303
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213/978-0600 (Phone)
213/978-0750 (Fax)

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