As I mentioned on my post, we visited Calle Olvera in Los Angeles a few weeks ago. I actually went back a few weeks after our shoot for the blessing of the animals event (yes, because I'm a crazy dog mom like that- come on, that's not news right?). The celebration was full of culture, color, vibrancy, and life.
I was given a flier that was quite upsetting...and it can be seen on here as well.
It reads:
Save Olvera Street Traditions NOW!
By the end of April 2010, the City of Los Angeles’ El Pueblo Management plans to increase the rents to the on Olvera Street, which will eventually result in the EVICTION of generations of Merchant families from Olvera Street.
Olvera merchants who are supported by Councilmember Jose Huizar in principle, are asking the City to respect their legal rights, under Proposition H (an initiative passed in 1992 by LA voters that assured this community negotiated leases in an effort to preserve the area).
Instead, the City, through its El Pueblo Monument Commission, is demanding rent increases of 200-900% without the protection of long term leases, as of April 1, 2010 and is fully aware that their actions represent a death sentence for the 80 year old Mexican cultural icon.
This means an end to family traditions like the Blessing of the Animals, Las Posadas, Day of the Dead and other cultural offerings enjoyed by many generations of Angelinos.
Instead of trimming a wasteful budget of $5.5 million dollars per year, the El Pueblo Managers are trying to balance their budget by breaking the backs of a majority of founding merchants families responsible for initiating and preserving the Olvera Street landmark at the City’s Birthplace since 1930.
EL PUEBLO DE LOS ANGELES
HISTORICAL MONUMENT AUTHORITY COMMISSION
Herbert Siguenza (President)
Angel Cervantes (Vice President)
Felicia Fasano
Carol Jacques
David W. Louie
Timothy R. Martella
Norma Navarro
Lisa See
Latonya Slack
Support Olvera Street traditions :
- Sign petition available at Olvera Street businesses.
- Write a letter supporting the Merchants and and send to Mayor Villaraigosa , Members of the City Council and Councilmember Huizar
- Send e-mail support for Olvera Street with your comments to The Los Angeles Times and other major newspapers and media.
- E-mail support to preserveolvera@yahoo.com
- Visit www.Olvera-Street.com for regular updates or sign up for our
e-newsletter. - Call (213) 625-7074 for more information.
Please help us keep the cultural traditions alive!
For those of you who live in the immediate Los Angeles area or will be visiting soon and have been to Olvera Street...I cannot emphasize enough- I highly recommend visiting, especially after reading these bad news. Who knows how much longer it will be there if not enough constituents write to our councilmen and Mayor?
Olvera Street in the 1940's
All of the following pictures are from Olvera Street today
