South Central Farms, in the heart of the concrete jungle in LA, was created in 1992. It's a 14-acre oasis, divided into 360 plots, possibly the largest urban garden in the country. The City of LA acquired the land in the late '80s through eminent domain, taking it from nine private owners. After the uprising in 1992, the City set aside the parcel for use as a community garden. More history here:
http://www.southcentralfarmers.com/...
Since there was a clause in the eminent domain agreement stating that if, after ten years, the City determined the parcel was no longer required for public use, the property has reverted to ownership by a former owner.
more . . .
There's been an "occupation" going on for the past three weeks, and everyone from Willie Nelson to Joan Baez, Danny Glover, and many more, showed up for solidarity and support. At one point Joan and Julia Butterfly Hill occupied the tree, where Darryl Hannah and John Quigley are now.
Fernando Flores reports on the SC Farm website
The South Central Farm is under siege. If you live in LA or anywhere near there please make your way to the farm to keep the protesters and farmers safe.
The immediate area around the Farm has been blocked off by the authorities limiting access to the site. Spontaneous rallies of support have sprouted on these perimeters with crowds increasing in size as the morning passes. Protesters still inside the Farm are being physically removed and arrested.
The easiest access is to come from the South side of the farm coming north on Alameda or to head east towards the Farm on 41st or any other streets that run east/west bound.
http://www.southcentralfarmers.com/
Here's the latest update I could find:
Farmers call on all supporters to come to farm NOW
by LA IMC Tuesday, Jun. 13, 2006 at 8:37 AM
5 arrests, trucks loaded with bulldozers seen
This is happening right now 8:25 AM. Police in riot gear are pulling people out. Supporters planning march down Long Beach Ave. to try to get into farm. They need as many people as possible to help. People are still locked down around tree. Daryl Hannah and John Quigley are still in tree.
Anyone in the area, please stand up for this wonderful community asset:
South Central Farm, 4000 S. Long Beach Ave., Los Angeles, CA
I'll add more after I have breakfast; I saw this was happening and couldn't sit by and watch. So to speak.
UPDATE: A press conference was held at noon.
From Fernando Flores:
The South Central Farm is currently under attack. An early morning raid began this 5-hour long eviction that is still in process. Trees are being cut down, bulldozers are leveling the families’ food, hundreds of protesters are on site rallying with tears in their eyes as the nation’s largest urban farm is destroyed before them. The L.A.P.D. is on tactical alert as fire ladders and cherry pickers are being brought in to remove the tree-sitters. The 350 families created this oasis 14 years ago in the wake of the 1992 uprising when this land was offered to the community by the then Mayor as a form of mitigation.