We, the undersigned community members of Sunset Garden in Ridgewood, demand justice and the end to the wrongful termination of our license agreement. 

We are a dedicated group of community members deeply committed to maintaining a vibrant garden hub that is open and has a diverse membership. We are one of the most active gardens in the city. In just three years we have become a thriving green space and a lifeline for community members. The garden provides a critical source of fresh food, mental health support, education and social connection for seniors, immigrants, trans and queer siblings, trauma survivors, low-income families, and other communities.  We have a robust composting program, a partnership with Greenbelt and the Xeres Project, growing native species and caring for street trees. Despite this, Greenthumb is using retaliatory tactics and weaponizing bureaucracy to strongarm Sunset garden into shutting down. 

On May 5th, 2025,  Deputy Commissioner for Public Programs and Community Engagement, Margaret Nelson issued us a 30-day lease termination after we refused to sign a license agreement that would force the removal of our community altar space honoring trans activist and Ridgewood resident Cecilia Gentili. For months, we’ve tried to collaborate with GreenThumb, only to face evasiveness, shifting demands, unreasonable deadlines (sometimes as little as 48 hours for changes to be implemented). We’ve faced  harassment, the erasure of our Community Agreements and now, the threat of removing active community members from the space.

This unjust termination notice from NYC Parks threatens to destroy a vital neighborhood resource within weeks.  Why? We're being singled out for honoring trans legacy, our no tolerance to hateful rhetoric, standing against genocide, and refusing to back down in the face of complaints from a politically connected, bigoted neighbor. For this The NYC Parks Department and GreenThumb are trying to evict us without due process. It is evident that we are being targeted since many gardens rightfully have memorial spaces. This is an attempt to silence our community garden space rooted in values of justice and care by way of Cecilia’s altar. 

As a concerned community members and stewards of the land and our community, we demand that you 

1. Rescind the 30-day lease termination notice
2. Commit to keeping Sunset Garden open—no retaliation, no closures
3. Withdraw the order to remove Cecilia Gentili’s altar
4. Drop all unjust violations
5. Abolish Section 7(E) to ensure:
          *Due process before termination
           *Protection from discriminatory enforcement
           *Guarantee community appeal rights against retaliatory closures.
6. Renegotiate leases to protect gardens from predatory tactics and harassment.

Our communities deserve binding protections—not predatory leases that let the city disappear gardens overnight. 

The fight for Sunset Garden is a fight for all NYC gardens. Rescind the termination. End the abuse of 7(E). Negotiate in good faith— or face legal and direct action.