Liberty and justice for Eyvin wrongfully detained
In March 2022, Eyvin Hernandez went on a two-week vacation. When he traveled to a border town at the Colombia-Venezuela border, he was asked to pay a $100 bribe to enter Venezuela. Eyvin did not have the intention of entering Venezuela. When he declined the bribe, he was promptly accused of being a spy, taken against his will in a traumatic manner and transported to various locations. Eyvin is not, nor has he ever been, an American spy. In fact, Eyvin has been a Los Angeles Public Defender who has helped the most marginalized people in his local community for the last 16 years. Eyvin still remains trapped as an American political prisoner in a notorious maximum-security prison called DGCIM in Venezuela.
The United States Government declared Eyvin Hernandez as wrongfully detained.
My entire family deeply misses my brother Eyvin. He has worked his entire career serving marginalized people as a public defender in Los Angeles County and is genuinely the best of us. We hope and pray that my brother can return home soon from this mistaken arrest.
Eyvin Hernandez was born in El Salvador. His family immigrated to the United States when he was a toddler, fleeing the civil war and seeking a better life. His family settled in a working-class neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Eyvin showed great promise as a young student and was accepted to the University of California - Los Angeles. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physics and Mathematics in 2001. He later gained acceptance to UCLA Law School and graduated in 2005.
Eyvin joined the L.A. County Public Defender's Office in 2006 where he has worked for the entirety of his career. He is known as a passionate advocate for the most vulnerable people in the Los Angeles community: people experiencing homelessness, mental illness and substance abuse. Eyvin served as a mentor and trainer for dozens of newly-hired deputy public defenders. His most recent assignment was at the Clara Shortridge Foltz courthouse handling felony cases. Eyvin has also volunteered his time to advocate for children in the juvenile justice system.
Eyvin is passionate about social and labor justice. He is a member of the Los Angeles County Public Defenders Union - Local 148, where he previously served on the board of directors. Eyvin volunteered his time as a mentor for the UCLA Law Fellows Program that seeks to encourage students from diverse backgrounds to apply to and attend law school at UCLA.
In his free time, Eyvin dances salsa competitively, is an avid sports fan, and loves to travel the world. He has visited dozens of countries. His favorite place to travel is to the countries and cultures of Latin America.
He is a dearly loved son, brother, uncle, colleague, and friend.
All funds will go towards legal expenses, financial expenses, and adjustments when he comes home
THANK YOU to everyone who has supported the Bring Eyvin Home coalition!!!
Your support has been crucial in securing:
1) Contact with the White House, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA) and human rights organizations
2) Support from our congressional, state and county representatives
3) Media coverage, including a press conference, and widespread awareness of Eyvin’s plight
4) Protection of Eyvin’s home and financial stability
Many members of the Bring Eyvin Home Coalition have paid for personal travel from their own pockets, media outreach, website + translation, signs and t-shirts. Many have also provided financial assistance and pro bono services.
As we face almost 9 months of Eyvin’s captivity, we want to do EVERYTHING we can to get him home as soon as possible. This level of organizing and advocacy requires resources and we ask that anyone who cares about Eyvin, or cares about public defenders, unlawfully detained people, or your fellow man, give towards this cause so we can BRING EYVIN HOME!!!
Your donations will be put towards:
1) Eyvin’s family’s travel to meet with elected officials and others who can help him
2) Eyvin’s mortgage, property taxes, homeowner’s insurance (yes, we are working on getting these corporations to waive monthly payments but they have not agreed yet so payments must be made regularly)
3) Press outreach including translation and transcription services
4) Care packages for Eyvin - shipment alone is incredibly expensive
5) Other related costs as they arise
Go here to learn more about Eyvin Hernandez, his unlawful detainment in Venezuela, and see the results of financial assistance in growing the campaign.
We appreciate each one of you for your assistance in bringing Eyvin home. He has expressed over and over again how grateful he is for your support!
With love and commitment,
Bring Eyvin Home Coalition
