L.A. Finally Legitimizes Rebel Green Thumb



Originally published on Neon Tommy.

Ron Finley has emerged as a powerful community leader in South Los Angeles. | Flickr/Anna Hanks

Ron Finley has emerged as a powerful community leader in South Los Angeles. | Flickr/Anna Hanks

Just a few weeks ago, Ron Finley was best known for his highly visible, and nutritious, acts of civil disobedience. To combat the growing problem of malnutrition facing many throughout South Los Angeles, the Crenshaw-based fashion designer planted gardens full of strawberries, dill, thyme and other edibles in unused parkways.

For his admirable efforts, which were against the Los Angeles’ “residential parkway landscaping guidelines” at the time, the city of Los Angeles issued a Finley a citation. The community joined Finley in appealing the citation. The matter was only dropped after the dispute generated enough media attention.

Finley took his story to TED talks in Long Beach, California earlier this year. The video of Finley’s presentation propelled the guerilla gardener to Internet stardom and generated over 1.5 million views. The talk also compelled the media into examining a bureaucratic system that viewed Finley’s agricultural endeavors as illegal. [Read more…]

South LA welcomes new retail center



District Square | Photo Credit: KGTY

District Square | Photo Credit: KGTY

A new 300,000 square-foot retail center is set to hit the Crenshaw District and will replace businesses that have been in the community for decades.

The project, titled District Square, is set to replace a Rite Aid, Ralph’s and Cleaners, which have been community staples for over a decade. The two-story center will bring a host of new retailers to the Crenshaw District, which spans over five miles of South Los Angeles. It is expected to include a Target, Ross, Marshall’s and leasing space for other vendors and retailers.

The project manager for engineering company KGTY couldn’t comment on the project’s timeline or budget, but the website confirms that its client, The Charles Company, has designed the location to include both upper and lower level parking with access to retail stores on all levels. Although a deadline for the project’s completion is unknown, community members and leaders have expressed excitement about a brand-new center coming to the dilapidated neighborhood. [Read more…]

October 22nd Coalition protests police brutality in South LA



Oct22CoalitionAt the corner of Crenshaw and Slauson on Tuesday, protesters wearing hoodies in commemoration of Trayvon Martin drew honks from passing cars as they waved signs and chanted. Their message? That police brutality needs to end.

The October 22nd Coalition to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation has organized this “National Day of Protest” every Oct. 22 for the past 18 years. (It takes its name from the date of the first protest in 1996.)

The coalition aims to “give ground to the families, people who have lost loved ones by the hands of police,” said one protester.

Listen to an audio story from Annenberg Radio News to learn more: 

Crenshaw High School memorial dedication for Trayvon Martin



Marchers commemorating Martin Luther King's historic speech with a memorial to Trayvon Martin at Crenshaw High School.

Marchers commemorating Martin Luther King’s historic speech with a memorial to Trayvon Martin at Crenshaw High School.

Tuesday August 27 2013- Crenshaw High School students, teachers, and politicians  in South L.A. commemorated the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech  by having a school garden beautification and dedicating part of their school garden as a memorial to Trayvon Martin.

Martin was the 17-year-old from Sanford, Florida who was shot by neighborhood watch coordinator George Zimmerman in February of 2012.

Eighth District Councilmember Bernard Parks made a presentation on the Trayvon Martin Resolution passed by the Los Angeles City Council to pressure the federal government to investigate the Martin shooting. Representatives from LAPD’s South Bureau also spoke to students about how to stand up for their First Amendment Rights in a way that won’t end up in arrests. [Read more…]

Protesters march in South LA in reaction to Zimmerman verdict



Protesting the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial.  Photo by Jazmin Garcia.

Protesting the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial. Photo by Jazmin Garcia for Intersections South LA.

 

Police barricade against protesters.  Photo by Jazmin Garcia for Intersections South LA.

Police barricade against protesters. Photo by Jazmin Garcia for Intersections South LA.

A day after a jury in Florida found George Zimmerman guilty in the killing of the unarmed Black teenager Trayvon Martin, protesters took to the streets in the Crenshaw District, spilling onto the eastbound lanes of the 10 Freeway.

Protesters shut down the freeway for about a half hour, according to NBC4.   South L.A. activist Jasmyne Cannick tweeted photos showing police and demonstrators confronting each other on the freeway, and at one point she tweeted, “LAPD has protestors surrounded almost on a sides. Won’t let protestors through.”

News reports said protesters threw bottles, rocks and batteries at police and that police fired rubber bullets at the demonstrators. One protester was arrested.

Protesters spilling onto the 10 Freeway at Crenshaw Boulevard.  Photo by Jazmin Garcia for Intersections South LA.

Protesters spilling onto the 10 Freeway at Crenshaw Boulevard. Photo by Jazmin Garcia for Intersections South LA.