Word on the Street
June 2015
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WELCOME!

In our June edition of the Grounded in Philly newsletter: Philly gets ready to welcome social justice advocates & activists from around the country at the US Social Forum!! Check out all of the exciting events happening around town this weekend, and read about our struggle to preserve gardens, as well as some criticism of the food justice events...

BLOG NEWS

Amy Laura Cahn Fights to Save City Gardens from the Mayor's Tax Lien Sale

Maybe you haven't heard of the pilot tax lien auction that the city announced as a way to raise revenue for the severely under-funded school district. To learn more of about this initiative, click here.

On June 11, Amy Laura Cahn joined leaders of several organizations in sending a letter to Mayor Michael Nutter requesting that the City of Philadelphia postpone a tax lien auction scheduled for June 17, 2015. After scrutinizing some of the properties listed, these leaders found many discrepancies in the city's record regarding the liens.

Though the auction has already started, the Public Interest Law Center has taken extra steps to inform the city about gardens that would be affected by this process. Click here to read the letter to the Revenue Commissioner.

 

Bringing Race, Racism, and Critical Compassion into Focus at Food Justice Events

Earlier this month, Kirtrina Baxter, from the Garden Justice Legal Initiative, and I went to an event at the Schuylkill Center called "Food for Thought: Connecting with the Land of Philadelphia," where she was on the panel. The flyer advertised an "evening in the forest with delicious local foods and drinks and a round-table discussion about the future of Philadelphia's land and food systems." Over time, I have become skeptical of these kinds of gatherings. They are usually expensive (this one was $15) with mostly White folks attending, making them inaccessible to both poor people and People of Color. This is a huge problem, as middle-upper class White people are not typically who food injustice is about.

As a White, middle-upper class person, I have abundant access to fresh, local food. In many ways, the current food system works very well for me, my family, and other people like us. So, when the attendees of an event about the future of food systems are almost entirely White folks who can pay $15 to have a discussion over cheese and crackers, I become skeptical about motivations. When White folks pay money to talk about a food system that disproportionately directs food away from poor communities and Communities of Color, and toward rich White communities, are we really resisting or rethinking the current food system? Or, are we just perpetuating this inequitable system under a facade of change? Read more

 

EVENTS


The US Social Forum Comes to Philly!!

Another World is Possible, Another World is Necessary!

The US Social Forum taking place in Philadelphia, June 25-28, 2015 is a convergence driven by the understanding that people's movements are what create social change. It is an opportunity for regional and issue-specific social justice projects to work toward broader unity. The goal is to map out action plans for a cohesive movement and organize to be on the offense against all forms of oppression.

CHECK OUT SOME OF THE PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT ASSEMBLIES FROM SOIL GENERATION AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS BELOW
(click on flyer for more information)

 


 

 


People's Movement Assemblies(PMA): provide a space for individuals to interact in a more free-form discussion of a broad topic that explores ways in which "your fight is my fight" - ways seemingly disparate issues are related. Example's of People's Movement Assembly topics include: efforts to build a solidarity economy based on cooperation, sustainability and equity; developing strategies to uphold human rights to housing, land, and the city; and planning for an international climate strike.


ANNOUNCEMENTS


Saturday, June 26, 2015

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Saturday Farm Market @ Mill Creek Farm
 
 

Fresh, Seasonal, Locally Grown, Chemical Free Fruits & Vegetables 

11am-2pm 
4901 Brown Street 
Phila Pa 19139 

 

 

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The Historic Fair Hill Community Garden "Community Summer Festival" 
Saturday July 11th, 2pm-7pm

Pony Rides, Free Food, Raheem the Snake Man (pictured below with young friends), Performers, Face Painting, & more...

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ON THE GROUND

Soil Generation
Soil Generation's June meeting was a wet & wonderful evening at the Teens4good farm
 

JOIN US

If you are interested or want more information email kbaxter@pilcop.org

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IN THE KNOW

Raw Vegetarian Food with Atiya Ola 
@ Mariposa Food Co-op
June 30, 2015 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Click photo for more info...

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UNI's youth empowerment skill share conference

Make your voice heard! On Friday, July 31st, 2015, the Agatston Urban Nutrition Initiative will host its second annual Declare! Youth Skill Share. This youth-led conference will feature organizations from all over Philadelphia sharing and learning from one another.  This year's theme is: What Makes A Healthy Philadelphia?  thinking about health in the broadest terms.

For more info click here