“We are launching a community tree-sit as a watchtower to protect the garden. We are here to help grow support for the nation’s largest urban farm that rests in the heart of Los Angeles,” states John Quigley. It serves as the focal point for the “resistance to eviction” encampment. American folk icon Joan Baez and activists Julia Butterfly Hill and John Quigley are in the tree.

In the wake of the 1992 uprising a gem was born in the bleak crevices of South Central Los Angeles. Mayor Bradley through a handshake deal with Doris Block of the L.A. Regional Food Bank dedicated the site at 41st St. and Alameda to the community for the purpose of urban gardening. In 2003 after 10 years of sweat and labor to turn a 14 acre wasteland into the largest urban farm in the nation, the 350 poor working class families tending the farm were rewarded by having their community land sold out from under them. The city of Los Angeles erroneously settled a speculative lawsuit (BC272571 LIBAW HOROWITZ INVESTMENT COMPANY VS CITY LOS ANGELES ET AL) with Mr. Ralph Horowitz. Even after Judge W. Crispo ruled three times against Horowitz, the city officials conceded to give the land back to Horowitz for a mere 5.1 million dollars, a cut rate considering that in 1994 it had been sold for 13.3 Million dollars. The community should not bear an 8 Million dollar profit for the developer, and the Mayor and the city should negotiate a breakeven price with Mr. Horowitz.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 24th, 2006 @ 11:00 a.m.

WHO: Joan Baez, Julia Butterfly Hill, John Quigley, Daryl Hannah, the South Central Farmers, their attorneys and community leaders

WHAT: Press Conference

· Express the intentions and extend the invitation to the larger community to participate in the community tree-sit and the “resistance to eviction encampment

· Attorneys for South Central Farm to provide current legal position

· Questions raised over the $13.3 million asking price

WHERE: South Central Farm, 4000 S. Long Beach Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90058
(Media enter on 40th Pl. through Long Beach Ave. Park on 41st )

WHY: South Central Farmers, celebrity supporters, and community members feel that it is necessary to take a principled stand for a more livable city for all residents; a livable city that promotes a better life with equality for all of its residents with clean air, fresh food and open space. Transparency, reason and fairness are essential qualities to develop cities where life can thrive such as it does within the emerald paths of the South Central Farm.

HOW THE PUBLIC CAN HELP: Go to www.southcentralfarmers.com to make a contribution

“This is the Promised Land”, community leader Dele Ailemen emphatically stated on the encampment’s first day. “It was land that was promised to this community by the Mayor of Los Angeles after the 1992 uprising.” “It will not be taken away by broken political promises.”

Contact: Fernando Flores (909) 605-3136