[GPCA Updates] NEWS ADVISORY: Attacks on Latino immigrants happening in L.A., not just on border and Congress, Greens warn

[Jim Stauffer]

                   News Advisory
           THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA
               www.cagreens.org


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 					     
Friday, May 19, 2006


Green Party of California warns attacks on
immigrants taking place in the heart of Los
Angeles, not just Congress and at the border

LOS ANGELES (May 19, 2006) – Attacks on Latino immigrants are not only
happening at a militarized California-Mexico border and in Congress, but in
the heart of Los Angeles where developers plan to evict mostly Latino
community farmers from what has been described as the nation's largest
urban farm, the Green Party of California warned today.

The 14-acre plot of land at Alameda and 41st streets in Los Angeles has
sustained 360 Latino and indigenous families for more than a dozen years,
allowing them to supplement their incomes with healthy crops of fruits,
vegetables and medicinal plants, said the GPCA.

But, now a major land developer – after being allowed to buy the land from
the city at a bargain basement price – is expected to use local law
enforcement officers to evict the farmers as early as next week, and then
bulldoze the farm, according to Green Party congressional candidate Byron
DeLear, (28th District, San Fernando).

DeLear, and others, blame the City of Los Angeles for the "sweetheart deal"
that gave commercial real estate developer Ralph Horowitz the property for
half of what it was sold for a decade ago.

"This is the time for the mayor, in particular, to step up. He has the
power, under eminent domain, to protect the community's interests. We've
seen eminent domain used and abused to protect commercial interests. For a
change, let's see it used to benefit the community," said DeLear, who
described the farm as a "national treasure that needs to be protected."
 
"This urban farm provides a safe, children-friendly environment and is an
oasis of green-space that helps to lessen air and water pollution in the
surrounding community. The mayor and city council need to do more," said
Donna Warren, the Green Party candidate for Lt. Governor and a native of
South Central Los Angeles.

Other prominent Greens have protested the eviction, including Nativo Lopez,
president of the Mexican American Political Association, and Los Angeles
Green Linda Piera-Avila, who said the developer plans to build a WalMart
warehouse in place of the garden.
-30-

For more information:  www.SouthCentralFarmers.com   
History of the South Central Farm:
http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/items/3028