Family fights to save Olvera Street’s iconic donkey stand as trial looms

For more than 60 years, tourists and locals alike flocked to Olviera Street for a specific image: demonstrating with Jorge, donkeys stuffed with apostasy. The Mexican donkeys, known as “La Carreta”, have become part of the city’s cultural fabric, a station that is so popular that some Angelinus describes Jorge’s “unofficial amulet in Los Angeles.”

The work date dates back to the late 1960s, when Richard Hernandez’s parents were founded by Jesus, “Don Choi” Hernandez and Maria Tranceu Hernandez. Originally it includes a direct donkey called Ciria, the pregnant woman later presented Jorge, the stuffed Burro who appeared in movies, magazines, and countless holiday albums.

But the family behind the situation is now closed in a legal battle with the city of Los Angeles because of its future. Richard Hernandez, who helps operate the cabin, says that he should have been added to the seller’s lease contract at the request of his mother in 2019. However, after her death last year, he discovered that his name was not in the papers. Soon after, the evacuation notice was received.

“This is not fair. This is not true,” Hernandez told KTLA. Unlike the cause of the contract, he said he had never given a reason. “Someone should want in this place, or someone may want to run the same donkeys’ work without me. They spend all this money … this is not true. This has no meaning. “

The conflict has left Hernandez wandering in his daily work to take pictures of visitors while preparing to try the jury. He insists that he is ready to pay the rent and maintain traditions alive, but he says that the process left his family to forget.

For many Angelinus, the pregnant woman is more than just action. Families returned to generations to take pictures with Jorge, and sometimes re -create childhood images with their children.

One of the clients said: “We really hope that he can stay open, and I can bring my other daughter, and we can take a picture, because she was not able to come today.” Another added, “This is an important historical place. I wish him the best that he can keep this place open.”

Hernandez becomes emotional when talking about what he means to work for his family. “This means the world for my family,” he said. “Sorry, he suffocated.”

He publicly appealed to the mayor of Karen Bass to intervene and help to stop the evacuation. KTLA contacted both the mayor’s office and Los Angeles attorney office for comment and awaiting a response.

Meanwhile, the community support for the Hernandez family grew. Reporting No taco Earlier this year, I noticed that the family won a court tour when a judge ruled in his favor against the city’s initial evacuation efforts, although the legal battle continues.

For Hernandez, the battle exceeds more than just a booth. He said, “It is my livelihood.” “It is the legacy of our family.”

Sarah submitted reports for this article.

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