Riordan OKs Blower Ban; Fast Continues

Seven hunger-striking gardeners continued their fast outside City Hall on Thursday after Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan signed the city’s ban on gasoline-powered leaf blowers.

In a late afternoon meeting with Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski, Councilman Mike Hernandez and members of the gardeners’ group protesting the ban, the mayor said he would not veto the ordinance because if he did, an earlier, more stringent version of the law that includes jail time for violators would go into effect.

The gardeners said they were willing to accept the old law in the hopes that it would pressure the City Council to go back to the drawing board and rework the ban.

The city leaders who met with the strikers said they would create a steering committee to consider amending the ordinance, but the protesters said they would not stop fasting until they had a written promise to change the law.

“We’re not going to end the hunger strike until they put in writing that they will provide a viable option for these gardeners,” said Alvaro Huerta, one of the organizers with the gardeners association. “If this ordinance stands, these men will lose half their wages.”

After the meeting, the seven hunger strikers huddled under blankets in wheelchairs in front of City Hall, shielded from the sprinkling rain by several umbrellas. About 100 supporters sat on the steps behind them and chanted supportive slogans.

The stalemate came on the sixth day of the hunger strike and the men vowed to keep fasting for days if necessary, even though they said they were growing weaker. The gardeners have only had water and sports drinks since Friday.

Three men had to be rushed to the hospital Wednesday when they began vomiting and experiencing faintness; one became so enfeebled that he lost consciousness. Those three and another gardener have dropped out of the strike.

“It was a little scary when they had to leave,” said Terry James, a gardener from North Hills. “It makes you think you could be next.”

But the remaining seven protesters said they are determined to continue. They sat quietly in lawn chairs during the afternoon Thursday as supporters milled around the front of City Hall and shouted their encouragement. A row of votive candles flicked in front of the steps. Across the park, two catering trucks prepared food for a film crew working nearby.

“We haven’t given up,” said Adrian Alvarez, one of the organizers who is fasting. “Hopefully, we can continue to put pressure on so somebody will come up with a solution. We’re not losing. We’re getting them to listen to us. We’re winning.”

The men, members of the year-old Assn. of Latin American Gardeners, said they will not be able to earn a decent living if they cannot use the leaf blowers.

Homeowners pushed for the ban after complaining of the noise and pollution caused by the machines. As the debate escalated in recent months, the cause was taken up by several celebrities. The ordinance Riordan signed Thursday evening makes it illegal to use a leaf blower within 500 feet of a residential area, an infraction punishable by fines and fees up to $270. The law will go into effect in 30 days.

On Thursday, the mayor said the steering committee will begin a series of hearings to explore alternatives to the noisy blowers and to create a loan program for the gardeners to buy new equipment.

“We will work very hard to find a solution to make both the homeowners happy and the gardeners happy,” Riordan said.

Miscikowski, who has pushed for the ban, said the gardeners’ willingness to consider alternatives makes her optimistic that a solution will be found.

“From my perspective, we said the door is not closed,” she said. “The ordinance is going forward, but we have some legitimate economic issues we have to look at.”

Earlier in the day, state Sen. Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles), one of the state’s most influential Latino legislators, visited the makeshift tent city in front of City Hall and offered his support to the protesters.

“It is painful to see the city is taking away people’s ability to earn a living,” Polanco said as the gardeners cheered. “This sends the wrong signal to the city of Los Angeles.”

Polanco added that he would meet with Riordan in the next few days to try to find a solution.

Meanwhile, the men on the hunger strike said they were willing to wait for an acceptable solution.

“I feel a little weak,” said Jesus Sandoval, 18, the youngest striker. “But I’m not ready to quit. I want to continue to fight.”