The Collegian

Issue date: 5/9/06 Section: Opinion

The most basic elements of American life are liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In the urban sprawl of Los Angeles, a struggle for these elements is taking place.

Three-hundred and sixty families farm 14 acres of land. The majority of these families live below the poverty line and use fruit and vegetable gardens to supplement their meager diets. There is also a garden and lots of open space to provide a safe space for children to play.

In addition to sustaining crops and encouraging a sense of community, the farmers sell to local markets, which bolster the local economy. Unfortunately, the South Central Community Garden must be turned over to land owner Ralph Horowitz. He plans to build a warehouse.

Private ownership entitles Horowitz to the land. However, the city needs to consider whether it needs another 14 acre warehouse instead of a paramount piece of community property. The city seized the same land in the early 90's for purposes that would have harmed the community with a trash incinerator.

Why not exercise eminent domain for the good of 360 families? Why not preserve the community? After all, the South Central Community Garden was created by the city after the L.A. riots to emphasize community.

The farmers have taken full advantage of the land for the past 13 years by advocating sustainable agriculture and including surrounding communities. They have also celebrated Earth Day and held art exhibits showcasing various community artists.

Los Angeles' dedication to the community ended when the city sold Horowitz the property for five million dollars in a private meeting. This reckless regard for the people was L.A.'s biggest mistake.

Initial demolitions of the garden have been avoided. Community leaders then held a legal victory, but it was overturned. The Supreme Court refuses to hear the case.

The city has scrambled to mitigate the situation by offering the farmers less than one acre of land or three acres of land under power lines. Once again, the city falls short of caring for its families.

Now, as the farmers protest in order to preserve their livelihood, the bulldozers are less than a month away. Community leaders have rallied to engage the public in this issue; however, it has not reached the national eye. The nation continues to toil in its overly aggressive partisan politics while tragedies like this go undetected.

Tax deductible donations to the campaign are not enough. People must stand behind these farmers.

After 20 years on the land, the families must resist being forced out.

They are like thousands of farmers of the past and present who are sacrificed in the name of overdevelopment. The families have been camping out on the farm in order to prevent intentional crop destruction or lock changes.

The South Central Community Garden is democratic; it is community and family oriented. It is a microcosm of what makes America great. And now it will disappear.

The garden will disappear as long as no one stands behind these voiceless farmers.

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