Save La Carreta at Placita Olvera

Update July 15th 2024: Despite community outrage and your public support, El Pueblo voted on Thursday, July 11th to evict us. Our family is shocked and devastated at this news.

However, we are not going down without a fight. Our family intends to fight this till the end. We have decided to pursue legal action to remain in our current space. We are asking for your donation to help us with legal fees and other costs needed to remain where we have been for the past 35+ years.

The Hernández family believes that La Careta and Jorge el burro are cultural landmarks in LA. We need your support to protect this space and our family legacy.

If you can’t donate, please spread the word and share. Any little bit helps.

THE WORLD’S FAMOUS DONKEY ON OLVERA STREET IS BEING EVICTED!

The little donkey cart where tourist from all over the world come to have their pictures

taken with George the Burro is about to disappear from the city’s most visit landmark, Olvera Street; The Birthplace of Los Angeles.

In 1968, Cristine Sterling smitten by Jesus Hernández, a charismatic artisan vendor

of sorts asked Mr. Hernández, “What would be a cultural lure to add to El Pueblo?”

My father’s answer was simple: A Mexican donkey cart where people can don hats, sarapes, and smiles on a burro for. With a quick snap of a camera, families would be able to take home a photo as a memory of a day spent at Olvera Street. He loved the idea and Cristine Sterling granted my family a place in the most historic part of Los Angeles.

In 1987, I was given the opportunity to work and manage La Carreta “ The Donkey Cart “

and for the last 37 years I have given visitors, families, schoolchildren, people from all over the world unforgettable memories. It has been a true labor of love.

A few years ago, the long-term leases were finally negotiated. My widowed mother, sole

owner of the business, formally asked management to include my older sister Patricia Hernández, and myself,

Richard Hernández in the new contracts. Since 2019, the management office was well aware of this request. They had the signed paperwork before them and never took any action or motion to include me or my sister

on the contract.

On April 16th of 2024, my mother passed away. On May 1st, 2024, I was given a notice to vacate by May 6th, 2024.

I was not granted a due process by the Olvera Street commission. I was not given advance notice, and I was not given a reason why our names were not include per my mother’s request.

On Thursday, May 9th, 2024, we will lay my mother to rest; A founding merchant of 57 years. On that same afternoon, there will be a hearing on this matter at the Biscailuz Building Located On Olvera Street.

Please try and support keep this legacy