Alert: Beach Flats Community Garden Threatened

(peach)

During the time of year when planting is ideal, when seeds need to be sown, farmers are being asked to abandon their plots, to turn in their keys, to give up their right to work land they've worked for more than a decade.

"Q: When did you start working here?
A: I arrived in 1988, and here, planting, I've got about fifteen years.
Q: Fifteen years, continually working this land?
A: Yes, fifteen years, planting. Right now, planting. Here, corn.
Q: What's this over here?
A: That's corn growing.
Q: and what's that growing over there?
A: A flower, called Gladiola. Another guy planted them, but he doesn't come to water them anymore, because he stopped coming after they told him he wouldn't be allowed, since they wouldn't let us garden. He just accepted it. So I'm watering them.
Q: And the plants here produce food, for the tables of the families around here, no?
A: Yes, for the house of those who plant, or those who ask, since they need it, we give to them so nothing goes to waste. It's a good feeling. It's food on the table.
Q: And after all these years, working and planting, there's this announcement. [Foto above] What's it say?
A: The woman who's in charge says not to plant anymore, that they're going to put something else here. They don't want,... well, they're going to clean up around here, and they're not going to let us plant anymore. So that's our problem right now.

Second farmer: I say it's a good thing that they've allowed us to plant food here over the years. We're planting corn, beans, then some flowers. over there, watering flowers, there and here,... the flowers are beautiful.
But the man who planted them, he doesn't come anymore. I come here because I live here. It's like a job.

"We're throwing out the invitation to everyone to come, for the community to realize what's happening, we're here waiting for you. Come out and work with us. Everyone is welcome. Whomever. We're all equals, so here's something to work on."

"Please! Respect the work of other People!"