Eviction Attempts Spark Outcry in Highland Park

Photos of the L.A. Tenants Union marching against gentrification in Northeast Los Angeles

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- JT, Samanta, Ali

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On Sunday, February 19th at 9:00 AM, members of the Los Angeles Tenants Union’s Northeast L.A. chapter (NELo) and other residents gathered for a March Against Gentrification through the Highland Park neighborhood.

The event was led by a diverse group of people who marched to and rallied outside of three sites in the area seen as central to keeping it affordable for low-income renters, for Latinx people, and for elderly or aging community members.

The march began at 255 South Avenue 55, where according to a Press Release from the Tenant’s Union, as well as this report by ABC7 news, “many tenants are currently on rent strike over hazardous conditions, and have been fighting harassment and cash for keys offers for years.”

The march then proceeded to 249 South Avenue 54, where according to a letter from the Tenant’s Union, three elderly residents, “Ana, Anselmo, and María, are fighting to defend their home of many years from Seth Hamilton and Streetlamp Partners who are trying to use the Ellis Act to evict them and build luxury housing.”

At least 50 of the protesters then made their way to and through Figueroa street before turning onto Avenue 50, where they rallied outside of Gloria’s Cuisine in defense of the adjacent Ojo de Agua business.

A protester holds a sign that reads “If our homes aren’t safe, neither is your restaurant” in Highland Park.

A protester holds a sign that reads “Luxury dining leads to luxury housing prices! Protect our neighbors” in Highland Park.

The march officially starts at approximately 9:30 AM outside of 249 South Avenue 54. Four protesters hold up a large banner reading “Stop Gentrifying Los Angeles, Los Angeles Tenants Union.“

A group of protesters gather outside of 249 South Avenue 54 in Highland Park. One sign, translated from Spanish, reads “Mothers in the fight for their community.”

Outside of 249 South Avenue 54, elderly and Latinx members of the Northeast L.A. Tenants Union hold up a sign reading “Highland Park is Not for Sale.“

As the march proceeded, protesters took over Figueroa street, a main street for commuters in the Highland Park neighborhood. One protester’s sign reads that “We don’t need a $19 plate of chilaquiles! We need to meet each other’s needs.“

The march included an array of people, including in terms of age. Here, an elderly Latinx woman marches alongside a group of other Latinx women on Figueroa street.

Protesters marched outside of Latino Barbershop and also handed out educational materials to passersby along Figueroa street in Highland Park.

A mother and her son march with protesters along Figueroa street. The mother’s sign reads “Fighting for our living place.”

Protesters gather outside of Ojo de Agua and Gloria’s Cuisine. The latter is being called out by the LATU for its role in an eviction notice served to the adjacent and long-standing Ojo de Agua store. Ojo de Agua is owned by Alicia, the woman shown with the speakerphone in her hands.

According to NELo, “The owner of Gloria’s Cuisine, Marco Rodriguez, is trying to evict the longstanding business next door, Ojo de Agua, which provides crucial services to the community. Alicia has lived in Highland Park for over 24 years and has a seven year old daughter. If she is evicted from her business, she will lose everything. We are calling for a boycott of Gloria’s Cuisine until Marco Rodriguez stops the inhumane eviction against Alicia!”

NELo’s march and rally highlights that in addition to outside investors overtaking housing in working-class communities, food—or cuisine—also continues playing an outsized role in shifting landscapes in Los Angeles on racial terms; thus from Virgil avenue to the avenues along Figueroa street, abuelitas, moms and their children—that is, people of the humblest means—continue losing the most from the closure and sale of the spaces where their cultures, both social and financial, have survived.

J.T.

NOTE: The original title of this article was corrected after a fact-check of the cost of a plate of Chilaquiles at Gloria’s Cuisine. According to the restaurant’s website, a plate of Enchiladas there are priced at $19, while Chilaquiles are listed at $16.