White Memorial Medical Center says it wants to meet with Proyecto Jardín community garden activists after what has been an eight week long, 24/7 sit-in over a land dispute, KPCC reports.
The dispute comes from the Medical Center not renewing its lease with the garden in January. The Medical Center offered a six-month conditional lease but that had some requirements, like having Proyecto Jardín members attend an hour long religious education session, which piqued some concerns.
Since then, Proyecto Jardín members have occupied the garden asking for the renewal of their former agreement with White Memorial. The Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council supported the gardeners with an official declaration of support.
White Memorial wanted to bring in two other non-profit organizations to manage the land. They say Proyecto Jardín’s production was concerning and wanted to split the land among the three organizations. But Proyecto Jardín tells KPCC that they have brought in several resources to the garden that cannot be shared, like a beehive, solar panels, and mosaic art.
The Medical Center issued a statement saying the meeting with Proyecto Jardín will be to clarify the hospital’s position. No date has been set yet for that meeting.
