The city has moved to terminate the license of the Sunset Community Garden in Queens due to its requirement for members to sign a 'statement of values' opposing Zionism, homophobia, and transphobia. Parks officials deemed this a violation of guidelines, asserting the need for community gardens to be inclusive public spaces. Community member Nastazia Kielar defended the garden, arguing that the statement was part of the garden's activism tradition. The case highlights the intersection of local activism with broader political issues amid ongoing tensions regarding Israel and Palestine.
"Our decision to terminate the garden group's license agreement has nothing to do with anyone's political beliefs or gender expression," said Margaret Nelson, a deputy commissioner at the parks department.
"So many community members see Zionism as a form of colonization still that's happening right now in the Middle East," she said.
"This is about ensuring that our community gardens are responsibly managed and accessible as public spaces. We never want a termination, but the group's leadership has repeatedly refused to work with us on their outstanding issues."
Kielar said that the garden was being treated unfairly. After members removed references to 'community values' from the garden's bylaws, she said the parks department seized on an altar to trans activist Cecilia Gentili, who died last year.
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