LOS ANGELES, July 26, 2006 - Judge Helen Bendix rejected all the farmer’s claims in the case South Central Farmers vs. Ralph Horowitz and the City of Los Angeles today. Attorneys for the farmers say they will appeal the decision to the appellate court. The verdict does not come as unexpected, Judge Bendix has ruled against the farmers in the past only to be overturned in appeal.
The farmers are disappointed, but say they are not giving up and plan to continue in their struggle to take back the land. In an interview out side the courthouse, Rosa Romero, a community supporter of the farm, said the farmers will continue to maintain a presence at the site of the farm and plan to cultivate every piece of land in the surrounding neighborhood they can find. In addition to the fight to reclaim the land at 41st and Long Beach, the farmers say they plan to take the fight citywide to bring sustainable community based urban farming to every part of Los Angeles.
