FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
Bill, Aresh, or Ariane (917) 673-8762

Monday, December 27, 1999

LOWER EAST SIDE GARDENERS
DIG IN TO PROTECT LA ESPERANZA

With Garden Threatened, Dozens Prepared to Stop Bulldozers with Their Bodies NEW YORK, Dec. 2 7, 1999 - Dozens of volunteers have erected a gigantic steel-and-canvas frog, and have begun a 24-hour emergency watch - digging in, locking down, and preparing to defend La Esperanza Community Garden from the heavy machinery that developer Donald Capoccia will surely send when he tries to demolish the neighborhood jewel.

Residents fear Capoccia, who razed another Lower East Side garden shortly after Christmas two years ago, will obliterate La Esperanza in another post-Christmas raid to make way for unaffordable housing. The greedy grinch's hired goons have already demolished the back wall of the garden and it is likely that he will finish the job on Monday or soon thereafter.

Unlike the hundreds of gardens purchased by Bette Midler this summer, La Esperanza continues to be in imminent danger of being bulldozed over. The 22-year-old garden, which takes its name from the Spanish word for "hope," is valued by residents as a green oasis in the barren concrete cityscape - a vital part of the community that has hosted countless birthday parties, neighborhood meetings, and picnics.

To prevent the destruction of La Esperanza, gardeners, neighbors, and community activists are on the premises around the clock, and have prepared lockdowns, steel tripods, and other barricades to stop the trucks and bulldozers already parked just outside the garden.

Keeping watch over it all is the giant, colorful frog, or coqui, which stands above the entrance of the garden on East 7th Street. The coqui has not only kept the garden defenders warm during cold nights, but also inspires their David-and-Goliath struggle. In Puerto Rican mythology, the coqui is known for vanquishing more powerful enemies.

Meanwhile, legal efforts to save the garden have been stalled. As an appeal is contemplated, the neighbors are readying their defense in the event that Capoccia tries to crush the garden while New Yorkers are preoccupied with the holiday season. If he does, the gardeners will put their bodies on the line to defend La Esperanza. WHAT: A giant steel-and-convas frog (or,"coqui") and dozens of volunteers are on a 24. hour emergency watch to protect La Esperanza Community Garden

WHERE: La Esperanza Community Garden, E. 7th St. (between Aves. B and C), Manhattan

WHEN: Monday, December 27, 1999, 8:00 a.m.

CONTACT.- Bill, Aresh, or Ariane (917) 673-8762