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UID:Indybay-18736598
SEQUENCE:18840534
CREATED:20130510T184800Z
DESCRIPTION:Ahoy Farmsters, Occupiers, Friends!\n\n It was about this time last year 
 that UC’s development project, slated to pave over much of the historic 
 Gill Tract Farm, was brought to the forefront of public debate by our 
 three-week land occupation.  The momentum continued into the summer with a 
 campaign of direct  action farming and guerilla food distribution, numerous 
 public forums  and speakouts in favor of the farm, a local referendum and 
 two lawsuits against the UC’s plan.   \n\nAll  of this hard work helped 
 establish a broad based coalition of  grassroots groups, and it also 
 secured two huge victories: control of  the northern half of the Gill Tract 
 was transferred from UC’s Capital  Projects back to the UC College of 
 Natural Resources, and the anchor  tenant on the southern half of the Farm, 
 Whole Foods, pulled out of the  UC’s development project entirely. \n\nWe 
  are encouraged to see the north side of the Farm under the  administration 
 of the College of Natural Resources (CNR), even if the  reprieve from 
 development is temporary (the UC’s arrangement is only for  10 years). 
  We have begun work with fellow urban farmers and allies on  campus to 
 engage in meaningful dialogue around what a community  partnership with the 
 UC could look like.  This diverse group of  stakeholders recognizes the 
 Farm as an icon of the structural challenges  facing communities all over 
 the world, as they struggle for land access  and food justice.  OTF is 
 committed to maintaining these positive,  collaborative relationships, even 
 as we call for another direct action  on May 11th.\n\nOur call to action is 
 spurred by UC Capital Projects’ recent unveiling of a renewed development 
 plan for the Farm, which aims to replace Whole Foods with a smaller grocery 
  store called Sprouts. At first glance that might sound like a win for  
 farm supporters, but a closer look shows that the new development will  
 have the same footprint as the old ones, with a large parking lot that 
 would blanket most of the south side of the farm.\n\nIt  is inspiring to 
 see Albany residents rally to protect the Farm, joining  a larger community 
 that is not restricted to geographic proximity.   Every resident of 
 California is a stakeholder in the UC: it is up to us  to ensure that the 
 UC’s stewardship of the Gill Tract does not  sacrifice our interests in 
 public land and public education in favor of  corporate interests and a 
 quick profit.  Each of you receiving this  email, no matter where you are 
 in the world, is a critical constituent  in the battle for an Urban Farm at 
 the Gill Tract, and it in turn  reflects and magnifies the struggles of 
 every other community that is  fighting for the highest and best use of our 
 planet’s food system and  natural resources.   \nThe  southern portion 
 of the Gill Tract Farm that is under threat has not  been cultivated for 
 years, but the soil remains some of the most fertile  in the bioregion. 
  Fed by the rising and receding cycle of the two  creeks that have run 
 through the land for millennia, and subject to  comparatively little 
 development or contamination since World War II,  the remaining portion of 
 the Farm is irreplaceable in its capacity to  build local resiliency 
 through the cultivation of food, knowledge, and  community.\n\nOn Saturday, 
 May 11th, we will launch an action that manifests the highest and best use 
 of the Gill Tract farmland!\n  \n Meet at 12 noon sharp\n Albany City 
 Hall, 1000 San Pablo Ave\n Be prepared to farm and occupy!\n   \nCan you 
 help? RSVP to occupythefarmrsvp@gmail.com if you can:\n Attend the 
 actions... and bring friends!  \n   Support us with material needs such as 
 food, drinking water, water for plants, tools, transport!  \n   Spread the 
 word!:  Forward this email, invite folks for May 11, print and post up 
 flyers.\n   Email Albany City Government at Cityhall@albanyca.org  to 
 express your disappointment with the UC’s new development plans, and copy 
 us at  otfalbany@gmail.com so we can keep a count!  Or call "Community 
 Development Director" Jeff Bond at 510-528-5769.\n   Donate!  Watch for a 
 specific wish list going up on our website, or donate to us through our 
 wepay account.  \n\n 
 https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2013/05/10/18736598.php
SUMMARY:Liberate the Land Party! Occupy the Farm Returns to Gill Tract
LOCATION:Meet up at Albany City Hall, 1000 San Pablo Ave!
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2013/05/10/18736598.php
DTSTART:20130511T190000Z
DTEND:20130512T190000Z
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