On April 26 the Santa Cruz City Council gave their six-month report on the progress of the City’s efforts to acquire the property containing the Beach Flats Community Garden. At the meeting, the City Council agreed to a three year lease for the garden. However Josh Brahinsky of the Beach Flats Garden Coalition points out, "The lease only covers 60% of the previous garden, and has a 60 day escape clause for Seaside Company, and thus does not provide long-term security for the garden."

A coalition of over 150 gardeners, Beach Flats residents, students, and community members marched from the Beach Flats Garden to City Hall and delivered clear messages during the council meeting. Gardeners and supporters called on Council to follow through with a previous council resolution that stated the city was committed to acquiring the Beach Flats Garden property. Gardeners and Beach Flats Coalition members also demanded accountability for the City's recent use of heavy machinery to clear mature fruit trees and perennials from a large portion of the garden.

As marchers rallied in front of O'Neill on Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz City Councilmember Micah Posner, invoking presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, called for eminent domain for the Beach Flats Community Garden. "Bernie is fighting Wall Street. Here we are fighting Beach Street."

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Previous Coverage: City Bulldozes Beach Flats Community Garden for Seaside Company || Under Increasing Threat Of Legal Action, Beach Flats Gardeners Sign City Letters || Hundreds March for Beach Flats Community Garden || Plastic Fence Divides Beach Flats Community Garden || Call for Action to Prevent Beach Flats Community Garden Plots from Destruction