From the NYTimes:

Harlem’s Flower and Chess Man, Forced into an Unwanted Move

“Mr. Gibbs and his portable garden were such a presence that he was known as the Flower Man and residents still call the patch of concrete where he operated Sonny’s Corner. It was a bright spot in front of the Lincoln Houses, a public housing community where residents complain of mold in their apartments and the stench of urine in hallways.

But this spring, New York City told Mr. Gibbs that he had to pack up his roses, daisies and biggest sellers, his potted plants. As it turns out, for more than a decade, he had no legal right to be there. Mr. Gibbs — who is long on adages but short on paperwork, like a permit — got by for years with little trouble beyond the occasional summons. But the parks department began strictly enforcing a law prohibiting a business from operating on parkland without formal approval.”

Unbelievable.

We’ve removed entire parks so that stadiums filled with corporate boxes can be built in their place -all while giving huge tax breaks to wealthy owners. All ‘legal’. And please don’t speak of ‘lost revenue’ – it insults our intelligence.

Nike has entire offices filled with people who will file their permits and ensure their entree into our parks. Sonny Gibbs, being poor and Black may not have been afforded that  kind of wherewithal in this current society- but he does a hell of a lot more good with the wherewithal he has.

This man is bringing a bit of human goodness to that park. He is part of the resilient efforts we need more of in this city. Hands off.

Help The Bowery Mission Replenish It’s Pantry! From BoweryBoogie

UPDATE (as of 4:27pm September 22): We are still in need of pasta, rice, beans, grains, as well as canned vegetables, sauces, and condiments.

The Black Farmers and Urban Growers Conference! 

October 17th – 19th 2014 – Detroit

The Black Farmers and Urban Gardeners Conference is a gathering to enhance the critical relationship between food and health in the Black community by empowering growers, chefs, eaters and activists.

The 2014 conference will be held October 17th – 19th at Western International High School in Detroit, Michigan.
1500 Scotten, Detroit, MI 48209

Many thanks to Janet Wong and the hard working and generous Deutsche Bank staff volunteers who cleaned, mulched, buried the chicken compost, swept, raked and picked up trash in the Garden on Thursday September 18th. They

It was a great day hosting other Climate Activists. Thank you everyone.

10:45-12:15pm People’s Movement Assemblies and the U.S. Social Forum

– Angela Vogel, Walda Katz-Fishman, Alfredo Lopez, Rob Robinson. The US Social Forum (USSF) is a movement building process. A space to come up with the peoples’ solutions to the economic and ecological crisis.

12:30-2pm    Climate Justice in the Workplace

“Balkan marching tunes, Brazilian sambas and klezmer dirges…“The Internationale,” “The Smash-a-Bank Polka,” and “Which Side Are You On?” A political project that supports groups working for social justice – such as: Make the Road by Walking and Picture the Homeless. – Mathew Plummer, 99 Pickets

4pm HUB: White Anti-Racist (Climate) Activists

Race is always used to divide social movements. A racially-segregated movement will not win. This Hub is a space for us white anti-racist activists to network, share our lessons and support one another in doing this work.

4pm HUB: Great March for Climate Action

People walking across the country, from Los Angeles to Washington D.C., to raise awareness and inspire action on the climate crisis.

Climate Change March -Workshops Here!

M’Finda Kalunga Community Garden (gate at Rivington between Chrystie and Forsyth Streets in the Sara Roosevelt Park)

Today Saturday Sept. 20

All welcome!

10:45-12:15pm People’s Movement Assemblies and the U.S. Social Forum

– Angela Vogel, Walda Katz-Fishman, Alfredo Lopez, Rob Robinson. The US Social Forum (USSF) is a movement building process. It is a space to come up with the peoples’ solutions to the ?economic and ecological crisis.

12:30-2pm    Climate Justice in the Workplace

“Balkan marching tunes, Brazilian sambas and klezmer dirges…“The Internationale,” “The Smash-a-Bank Polka,” and “Which Side Are You On?” A political project that supports groups working for social justice – such as: Make the Road by Walking and Picture the Homeless. – Mathew Plummer, 99 Pickets

4pm HUB: White Anti-Racist (Climate) Activists

Race is always used to divide social movements. A racially-segregated movement will not win. This Hub is a space for us white anti-racist activists to network, share our lessons and support one another in doing this work.

4pm HUB: Great March for Climate Action

People walking across the country, from Los Angeles to Washington D.C., to raise awareness and inspire action on the climate crisis.

Climate Change Workshops:

K will host LUNGS ( LES United Neighborhood Gardens) workshops on the patio on Saturday September 20 as follows:

10:45-12:15pm People’s Movement Assemblies and the U.S. Social Forum as Tools for Transformation   – Angela Vogel, Walda Katz-Fishman, Alfredo Lopez, Rob Robinson| US Social Forum

12:30-2pm Climate Justice in the Workplace – Mathew Plummer, 99 Pickets

 4pm HUBs

HUB: White Anti-Racist (Climate) Activists

The current climate movement is racially-segregated. Most large climate and environmental organizations are primarily white and get most of the funding. The environmental justice movement is primarily people of color and gets little funding. However,the effects of climate change will primarily fall on communities of color. All of this is morally unacceptable and politically ineffective. Race is always used to divide social movements. A racially-segregated movement simply will not win. Besides, the people most effected by a problem should have the largest voice in solving it. To succeed, many of us believe our movement should follow the lead of communities of color. This Hub is a space for us white anti-racist activists to network, share our lessons and support one another in doing this work. Please help us demonstrate and enlarge the community of white anti-racist activists to eliminating racism in the climate/sustainability movement.

HUB: Great March for Climate Action: a community of people walking across the country, from Los Angeles to Washington D.C., to raise awareness and inspire action on the climate crisis. As we walk across the nation we collaborate with frontline communities, activist organizations, and individuals from all walks of life to address local environmental and climate concerns. Every day on the march we learn lessons from the earth and from the people we meet, many of whom are directly impacted by climate change and have already begun implementing solutions. Our hope is to amplify their voices to evoke systematic change.

Hi all,

From the M’Finda Kalunga Garden!

M’Finda Kalunga Garden has posted a new item, ‘People’s Climate March‘

Please join us for the People’s Climate March this Sunday, September 21. Gardeners and interested folks will assemble in the garden at 9:30am to have coffee and make posters. Then we’ll go as a group to the assembly point for the march.

Feel free to print flyers and posters that you can find on the website and post them in your building and and around your neighborhood.

LESReady:

The Citizen Preparedness Training is scheduled for September 17th at 6:00 PM at PS. 15. Please distribute the information to your constituents this will be a SPANISH SPEAKING TRAINING WITH A FREE TO GO BAG at the end.

(There are only 107 registered, there is space for 300 )

LESReady:

We would love for you to join us on Monday, September 15th at 10:00 AM at Nazareth Housing located at 137 E. 2nd Street (it’s a white school building) between Avenue A and 1st. (Closer to avenue A) in the Lower Level.

Coffee & food will be provided….