Update: Bulldozer Allert - Come and help the South Bronx's Senior
Citizen Community garden
moregardens.org(more info) <moregardens.org>
Last Wed the 23rd October, a grey official appeared to one of the
Melrose (South Bronx United Gardens) gardeners, Mr. Lebron of the
Morrisania Senior Citizens Garden and flashed a badge, saying that the
garden had to be vacated by Monday October 27. So Sunday night we began
to set up camp in the garden, and alerted the media (who showed up
today: CBS, Daily News, Bronx Channel 12). Monday morning a woman from
HPD came to the gate saying she was sent to "clean up" the lot with 10
other workers. The Senior citizens from the garden had filled the garden
and the cameras followed their chant we stay. The workers swiftly left
for more vacant pastors. Now we need two things:
1) please call Councilperson Jose Serrano, and thank him for the support
he has been giving the Melrose Gardens thus far, but then be sure to
politely tell him to do the next thing to make all these gardens
permanent, including this one, and the beloved Rincon Criollo and Jardin
Criollo: have him call HPD. His voice is needed. We are counting on him.
His number is 718-402-6130.
2) we need more people to stay over. food. rain gear, people to help,
donation of money.
When: Join us Afternoon Sunday October 26th through the Morning of
Monday October 27th to stand for our community gardens! Every morning
from then a strong protective presence is essential to preserve the garden.
Where: 3138 Park Avenue between 159th & 160th 161, Yankee stadium 4 & D
train or 149th and Third Avenue 2&5 train call cell 917-518-9987 for
more info or questions
Read on:
Mr. Grey Official did not give Mr. Lebron time to read the badge. He
gave his ultimatum, stating that he did not care that Mr. Lebron and the
other elder tenants had gardened for 14 years, that the garden feeds
many senior citizens or that Mr. Lebron worked for the NYCHA's
Morrisania Tenant Patrol for 25 years. He stressed that all possessions
be removed from the garden by Monday morning when the bulldozer is going
to knock down everything. He had been preceeded by a group of people
last Saturday whom Mr. Lebron welcomed into the garden; they took
measurements and left.
This is a garden in negotiation; as you all remember, all the 22 gardens
of the area were slated for destruction a few years ago, and after Cabo
Rojo and Hostos-Crimmins were smashed, finally, finally we all sat down
at the table together and started talking: Nos Quedamos, the local
politicians, the South Bugs, and More Gardens, plus greening groups (The
Municipal Art Society, Sustainable South Bronx, New York Restoration,
New Yorkers for Parks). It's been good; the idea that gardens need to
stay in the phrase "Nos Quedamos" is gaining ground and people are
working it out.
well, Mr. Lebron is 88 years old. His garden is very special, and it's
on Park Ave betweeen 159th and 160th. Read the end of this email to see
the story of this wonderful place that actually gives out wheelchairs!
Other Events:
Wednesday, Oct. 29th 6:30-9p
Resisting Capitalism and Building New Worlds:
Autonomous Social Movements in Argentina and Brazil &
The Beehive Collective presents a teach in and illustration about the FTAA
Creative Presentations and Discussion
Good Shephard-Faith Church
152 W. 66th St (between Columbus and Amsterdam Ave)
Take 1,9 to 66 St/Lincoln Center
Suggested $5 Donation--no one will be turned away for lack of funds!
Thursday, October 30th--
Autonomists in the Universities!
*1-4p Hunter College hosts Hipa/Daniela and Soledad for more intimate
discussions/workshops
*4-8 The New School hosts Neka/Graciela and Alessandro for more intimate
discussions/workshops
*8:30-10 The New York University hosts a panel with Neka/Graciela, Hipa/Daniela and Alessandro
Thursday Oct. 30th 6pm-10pm
FTAA Teach-in
Discusion, food, beehive collective, puppetshows
The Beehive Collective presents a teach-in and illustration about the FTAA
The Cycle Circus performs their Monarch Migration political puppet show
@ the Bronfman Center @NYU
7 east 10th st. University and 5th
Halloween Critical Mass Oct. 31 7pm @ Union Square
After party music, dance, performance www.times-up.org
The Beehive Collective presents a teach in and illustration about the FTAA
The Cycle circus performs their monarch migration political puppet show