first, lets get some of the questions out of the way. What happened to #3? I realized there were two #1s. Why haven’t you written a letter in three weeks? I’ve been on the road the past three sundays. I was actually on the road today (hitchiking back home) but i made pretty good time, so i’m gonna try and write two letters today. Let’s get started!

Following up on yesterday’s post, i’ve decided to write a letter to several people regarding the South Central Farmers’ land struggle. What i’ll be doing is writing one letter, but then CCing it on to several others. The timeliness of this letter is of the UTMOST importance because the farmers only have two weeks left before being evicted. If you haven’t already done so, please check out yesterday’s post (survival and self-defense) and watch the brief documentary about the farmers’ fight for justice. You can also get more info on their website (southcentralfarmers.com). And if you feel you don’t have the time or money to send out letters, you can get on their website and send an email to about a dozen officials with the click of a few buttons (send the e-letter here). Now, on with the letter.

Honorable Antonio Villaraigosa
Mayor of Los Angeles
200 N. Main St. Rm 303
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Dear Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa:

I am writing to you from the mountains of North Carolina. It has recently come to my attention that the South Central Farmers were denied their petition for review by the California Supreme Court and are now under serious threat of eviction. I am aware of the incredible and insipiring work that the South Central Farmers have been doing for the past 13 years, and it is for this reason that I am calling on you to stop the pressure from the real estate developer who is pushing to destroy the farm and, thus, the community surrounding it.

For thirteen years, this farm has not only served as a way to create a healthy and positive community model, it has also helped to alleviate the effects of poverty and malnutrition, create a massive seed bank, and help to empower a community to help themselves rather than depending on others for help. Without this farm, and what it stands for, we will see an increasing strain on the taxpayers and on the community. You will see more people in your city slowly die of malnutrition. And you will see the death of hope.

I, too, would like to know why the City of Los Angeles wishes to destroy such a project. As the word gets out around the country about what the farmers have been doing on those two strips of urban land, thousands of people begin to see Los Angeles in a new light. We see a city that is producing more than mind-numbing movies, it is producing a model of hope and community that should be exported throughout the world. A model that teaches us that we do not have to be dependent upon other when we can do the work ourselves. That model could help make this country a better place. And yet you wish to destroy it. Why?

I appreciate the concern that you have shown for the farmers, but I ask that you do more.  Do all that you can to stop the destruction of the 14-acre community farm in South Central Los Angeles. Help create a better Los Angeles. Find an alternative for Mr. Ralph Horowitz along the Alameda Corridor. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Copied To:

Jack Weiss
200 N. Spring Street, Rm 440
Los Angeles, CA 90012


weiss@council.lacity.com

Tony Cardenas
200 N. Spring Street, Rm 455
Los Angeles, CA 90012


cardenas@council.lacity.org

Alex Padilla
200 N. Spring Street, Rm 465
Los Angeles, CA 90012


Padilla@council.lacity.org

Bernard Parks
200 N. Spring Street, Rm 460
Los Angeles, CA 90012


parks@council.lacity.org

Jan Perry
200 N. Spring Street, Rm 420
Los Angeles, CA 90012


perry@council.lacity.org

Bill Rosendahl
200 N. Spring Street, Rm 415
Los Angeles, CA 90012


rosendahl@council.lacity.org

Greig Smith
200 N. Spring Street, Rm 405
Los Angeles, CA 90012


smith@council.lacity.org

Eric Garcetti
200 N. Spring Street, Rm 470
Los Angeles, CA 90012


garcetti@council.lacity.org

Janice Hahn
200 N. Spring Street, Rm 435
Los Angeles, CA 90012


hahn@council.lacity.org

State Capitol

P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0046

Assemblymember.Nunez@assembly.ca.gov

Senator Cedillo