Sorry for the extreme length. This is a forwarded message some of you might be interested in:

----- Original Message -----

From: aresh
Subject: Summer Interns for NYC Gardens with the More Gardens! Coalition

More Gardens! Coalition

Interns Project Currently in the works:

Social Activism - Direct Action

Cabo Rojo Encampment close to its 4th month of encampment.

Activists trained in civil disobedience are staying at the garden since December, 2001. Spring is here, and we are planting. We're working to create new gardens.

Publishing - The More Gardens! Book

This Book is a hands-on guide to successful grassroots organizing, paired with the More Gardens! Songbook.

The book outlines the history of our movement, and gives an opportunity to learn about the many aspects of this struggle. Among the texts, we find statements chosen from the thousands of personal testimonies provided at the four public hearings, none of which was attended by the mayor of New York. We've been gathering essays on many of the actions and poetry inspired by the movement. Photos and drawings from gardens and streets will further enhance a description of our success. The More Gardens! Book producers are in the process of locating a publisher for this project. We need editors, producer, and designers to help put this book together.

Contact persons are:

Aresh Javadi and Alecia Rearick

Legal - Legislation with environmental lawyers -

Writing legislation to make all gardens permanent and create More Gardens! We are working with pro bono lawyers dedicated to the safekeeping and enhancement of the community gardens. Not-for-profit lawyers from the Puerto Rican Legal and Education Fund and pro bono attorneys

from Sullivan and Cromwell are contributing their time and expertise.

Urban Design - Housing and Gardens Together

We're collaborating with professional landscape designers to create gardens and housing in the wilds of new york city!

We are looking for funders who are willing to create buildings with community gardens and telling them not to invest in any plans that involve destroying a garden.

Artist and Musicians - Tons of projects in the Community Gardens There are art projects from Giant Puppetry with local folks, to Painting Murals, to Building Giant Turtle

Greenhouses, to Dragon-Fly Bikes to Bird shaped straw-bail ovens to songs about gardens to.....

Housing can be as cheap as $250 a month in a lower east side, two bedroom apartment! Dedicated, organized and passionate interns, be ready for a most amazing summer!

If you are interested in participating in the this project contact Aresh at(917) 518 9987 or (212) 533 8019;

E-mail aresh@moregardens.org

More Gardens! Coalition

What we are about

We are gardeners - and students, artists, senior citizens, workers - living in New York City who believe in more gardens! in all urban areas world-wide.

Gardens provide for everything:

Oxygen

Food

Recreation

Exercise

Beauty

Playgrounds

Education

Community

The experience of planting is that of acknowledging our roots and embracing the future. Gardens are truly visionary. Political, obviously; and divine.

In 1996, the NYC administration decided to try to sell off and thereby destroy the city's 741 community gardens. In 1999, the auction of 114 of these green oases was prevented by years of well planned grass roots actions, which inspired private land conservation groups to join in and

purchase the title of the land. A success, indeed; yet, we need to keep working to secure the remaining 400+ gardens for the future.

The More Gardens! Coalition operates from a comprehensive five-pronged plan of action: legislative organizing: judicial actions; outreach and education; fundraising; and

direct action. Some examples:

* Following on the visit by More Gardens! Members with the attorney general in Albany, his office filed a suit to secure the preliminary injunction of the auction on May 5, 1999.

* A federal civil rights suit on behalf of ALL gardens was designed by the More Gardens! outreach and research team and by the pro bono work of the Puerto Rican legal defense and education fund, in filed in early May of that year.

* The Outreach and Education team contacts and visits all gardens to inform about recent developments and upcoming events. Currently, we are visiting those gardens included in

the land trust which are dormant to provide assistance in their revitalization. In response to frequent invitations, we talk about the issue of community gardens in schools and other institutions, and our Street Theater Collective with puppets brings color and life into the education.

*Amazing fundraising celebrations, grant writing and individual donations as well as money from land trust to purchase gardens have been utilized.

*Direct Action gets the goods The More Gardens! coalition with puppets have participated in speakouts, public hearings, demonstrations, and several acts of civil disobedience. Over 100 of us have been arrested

during spring 1999 and over 30 more since then. We conduct Freedom Workshops on a regular basis to prepare the participants for the non-violent actions and any legal

implications.Cabo Rojo Encampment close to its 4th month of encampment.