For generations, families have captured memories with Jorge, the beloved stuffed donkey at Placita Olvera‘s La Carreta. But now, this iconic Los Angeles photo stand is fighting for its survival, and despite a recent court victory against eviction, the battle to save La Carreta and its sarape-wearing mascot continues, sparking community outrage and raising questions about the city’s priorities.
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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.
A photo of Hernandez’s family members at La Carreta in 2024.
janette Villafana
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for L.A. TACO.
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As 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.
In a joint press release, the family said that the City has refused to provide witnesses for deposition, claiming that they did not represent the Commissioners who run the El Pueblo Monument. This caused the court to rule in favor of the Hernandez family.
However, their fight is far from over.
According to the family’s eviction attorney, daniel J. Bramzon of BASTA inc., City Attorney Margaret Shikibu clarified that the City would “never stop its efforts” to evict the donkey.
In a press release, he expressed his disbelief over the reasoning behind the city’s intent to remove the iconic family-owned business from the area.
“I have to spend time defending a stuffed donkey rather than continuing to fight back the homelessness crisis,” he said. “But the City is just being ridiculous here. Also, I have pictures of my children on that donkey, and I plan to one day have those same pictures of my grandchildren.”
For half a century, the stand has documented the L.A. community and visitors to the city. Artists, politicians, and actors are among those who have taken photos with Jorge, the sarape-wearing donkey.
Many of its customers, like Bramzon, have had their photos taken here when they were children, and many of them continue the tradition, returning years later to take a picture with their kids.
