FRSC: Peacetalks: South Central Farm Interview with Tezozomoc of South Central Farmers

On June 18th, George Cadman, (host of "Peace Talks" on Free Radio Santa Cruz 101.1 fm), interviewed Tezozomoc, the elected representative of the South Central Farmers. Tezozomoc is a second generation South Central Farmer. His father was an original organizer when it first began 14 years ago. On June 13th supporters of the South Central Farm in Los Angeles were awakened before dawn by sheriff’s deputies forcing entry into the property. Advocates of the farm, working with The Annenberg Foundation and the Trust for Public Land, were able to meet the $16 million asking price, albeit after the set deadline. Although the asking price was eventually met, landowner Ralph Horowitz rejected the offer and initiated the eviction. Supporters, both those camping inside and those in the surrounding streets, staged civil disobedience protests resulting in almost 50 arrests. Deputies in a 100 ft. fire department ladder truck cut away branches to remove and arrest Daryl Hannah and veteran tree-sitter John Quigley from the walnut tree they had been sitting in. More than 250 LAPD and Sheriff’s Dept. officers flooded the surrounding area outfitted in riot gear and crowd-control weapons. After supporters were removed from the farm by the sheriff’s dept., Bobcat bulldozers, hired by Horowitz, proceeded to thrash and uproot plants and trees. LA Mayor Antonia Villaraigosa said he regretted the outcome and that he had made multiple appeals to the developer to accept the farmers’ offer to buy. Advocates of the farm criticize the mayor and local Councilwoman Jan Perry for not doing more to sway the outcome. URLS: www.southcentralfarm.com