TORONTO, Thursday, October 20, 2017 – Armed with a shovel, some soil and seeds, Los Angeles activist Ron Finley, self-described “gangsta gardener” for his unexpected tactics, will discuss his mission of turning “food prisons into food forests” at York University’s Faculty of Environmental Studies on Oct. 20.

Frustrated by his community’s lack of access to fresh, organic food, Finley inadvertently started a revolution when he turned the parkway, strip of land beyond the sidewalk in front of his South Central L.A. home, into an edible garden. He also plants edibles in abandoned lots, traffic medians and along the curbs. When the city cited him for his plantings, Finley started a bureaucratic battle, gathering signatures and working with local officials until city ordinances were altered to include edibles.

This event is hosted by the Faculty of Environmental Studies at York University in partnership with Planet in Focus, Tridel / The Bowery Project, The Purple Co, Black Creek Community Farm and FoodShare.

WHAT: Conversation with Ron Finley, artist, revolutionary and self-described “gangsta gardener”

WHEN: 2:30 to 4pm, Friday, Oct. 20

WHERE: 140 Health, Nursing and Environmental Studies Building, Keele campus (See number 31 on Map)

Link to TED Talk by Ron Finely: https://www.ted.com/talks/ron_finley_a_guerilla_gardener_in_south_central_la

INTERVIEWS: Ron is available for interviews Friday morning.

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Media Contact:

Sandra McLean, York University Media Relations, 647-654-9452, sandramc@yorku.ca