Last month marked one year since the Hernandez family jumped into the battle to save their famed photo backdrop, officially known as La Carreta, at Downtown's Placita Olvera. This week, progress was made in the family's ongoing fight to save Jorge, the stuffed donkey that famously graces the stand.
Earlier this week, a court ruled in their favor, the family says, as they were able to beat the city on the initial eviction notice they were served last year, as they were mourning the loss of their matriarch.
The eviction allegedly stemmed from a contract issue. No one else in the family was listed on the paperwork before Maria Trancito “Tancho” Hernandez passed away. When she died, an expiration date was set on the contract.
In July of that year, the Board of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument Authority Commissioners voted to evict La Carreta despite the family and city council's attempts to save it.
Locals consider the photo op with the stuffed donkey one of Los Angeles' many historic landmarks. Supporters are not ready to let the donkey and its memories go easily.
Since the news broke about the eviction, the community has shown up to support the family as they attempt to find a solution to what they feel is an unfair attempt at removing them from the area.