Parking Lot Vendors Protest Evictions

About 100 merchants, neighbors and college students staged a protest Tuesday at City Hall over the predicament of El Mercado businesses that were handed eviction notices earlier this month.

The evictions come after years of battling with the city over permission to sell goods in a Boyle Heights parking lot at 1st and Lorena streets.

The protesters directed their anger at City Councilman Richard Alatorre, who represents the neighborhood. “Mr. Alatorre, where are your promises to help us out?” they shouted.

Members of the group said the councilman, with whom they had met last month, had told them he would guide them through any legal difficulties.

Alatorre is on vacation until early next month. His deputy chief of staff, Luisa Acosta, decided not to talk to the protesters. “Last time we met they were very rude,” she said. “We’ve told them there is nothing we can do. It’s in the court’s hands.”

In October, the City Council voted against a zoning change that would allow about 40 vendors now operating booths in the parking lot to continue selling candy, toys and trinkets. Neighbors had complained for years about parking, trash and loitering problems.

Members of Alatorre’s staff said Tuesday they are working with Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina to find an alternative location.

Some of the protesting merchants said they had stopped paying rent for their booths since being given eviction notices.

“We’re going to fight this to the end,” said Maria Torres, who owns Maria’s Gifts, one of the booths being evicted. “We’re going to fight for our right to make a living.”