Vendors at a South Los Angeles market say they are being evicted on short notice so developers can tear down the building that houses their businesses.
Merchants who work at the Fiesta Mini Mall found themselves facing the real estate company demanding that they be treated fairly.
In a crowded hallway leading to the businessman’s office, vendors chanted and held up signs protesting the recent eviction notice many received, demanding they move out by the end of the month.
They start a petition to remove local street vendors from a swap meet in East Hollywood.
“We need a just transition,” said Issa Rivera, a supplier at the swap meeting. “Give us time to find another place… We also want you to pay these expenses…”
David Aghaei, co-founder of Eleos Ventures, told sellers they were not being told to leave this month or next, or in two months.
“We’re not going to do it tomorrow, or next month, or in two months. It is time,” Aghaei said.
Demolition should not begin before the end of the year. The plan is to build a 221-unit HLM building.
Agaeil said there is still time to work with the vendors who will be moved.
“The solution would be that we need more time… Six months is not long for people to pick up and go somewhere else,” said René Ramírez, another vendor at the swap meeting.
Alpine Village Swap Meet vendors protested Tuesday against the permanent closure of the outdoor swap meet.
Some sellers fear that there is nowhere to go.
Iremedia Serrano said these types of markets are closing in the city and keeping many families in dire straits to maintain their livelihoods.
Rivera said they wanted to work and they wanted to move forward without government help; they call for a just transition.
The businessmen plan to meet them and listen to their demands and find a way forward.
This story first appeared on Telemundo 52’s sister station NBCLA. Click on here to read this story in English.