Help Risala Gardens Fight Against Discrimination!

[Atiba Saleem Jones]

Stand with Risala Gardens

Help stop discrimination against Risala Gardens!

A small group of residents in Stone Mountain, GA have been diligently working to stop Risala Gardens from establishing a Community Garden and Urban Farm on its 11.5 acre property.  Now, along with Dekalb County prosecutor, they are trying to personally criminalize its Director, Atiba Jones.   The prosecutor has suggested:

 

• 6 years of probation;

• A $1,500.00 fine, plus Court costs ($250.00 fine, plus Court costs, for each count

• 40 hours of community service

• Monthly State Court Probation supervision fees;

• Do not possess, house, or keep, either directly or indirectly, any animals or livestock at 832 Rowland Road;

• Abide by all the terms and conditions of probation.

On April 8th, 2017, Atiba attended a neighborhood association meeting where he presented to the residents the concept of Risala Gardens and how it would be of service and a benefit to the community.  The residents who attended the meeting expressed outrage and demanded the Code Enforcement officer, who was present, to "do something".  Directly after the meeting, 5 Code Enforcement citations were written on the spot.  3 of them were invalid and 2 extremely petty.  It was clear discrimination.

The Breakdown of the citations is below:
1. "Failure to obtain a business license"  

Currently in compliance, as we have the business license.  However, after speaking to Philip Etiwe and Marian Eisenberg in the department of Planning and Sustainability, it was verified that there was no need for us to obtain a business license since we had not been approved to act as a "Community Garden" nor had we been functioning in this capacity. 

2. "Permit required for additional structure on property."
Currently in compliance, however, after speaking with the building permit department, they verified that a building permit is only required for structures above 200 sqft., and our structure is only 100 sqft.  


3. "Having excessive animals within a fenced area."
Currently in compliance.  The zoning allows for 3 adult goats per fenced acre.  At the time, there were 4 adult goats (one too many).  Right now, there are no animals at all on the property.  

4. "Open storage of dead tree parts, trash and or debris"
Currently in compliance.

5. "Failure to provide animal shelter."
Currently in compliance.  There was shelter for the animals at the time of the citations, however, it wasn't a permanent structure.  A proper shelter was built for the animals, however, there are currently no animals on the property at all.   Also, in the code referenced (27.4.2.7), it does not stipulate that it has to be a permanent structure nor does it state that it has to be fully enclosed.

 

Even though Dekalb County code enforcement has verified that everything is currently in compliance, Atiba Jones and Risala Gardens are being treated like criminals, when their only intention was to bring positive benefit to the community.  

Two attorneys, along with CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations) Georgia are working to resolve this matter.  

Donations are needed for:

Attorney Fees: $3,500

Court Fines: $1,500

Property Taxes: $1,500

Total: $6,500  

Support now!  Any amount helps:  
https://www.launchgood.com/project/stand_with_risala_gardens