August 30, 2006

Contact:
Sheila Bernard (LPTA President) - (310) 871-6368, (310) 452-4956
Laura Burns (LPTA) - (310) 392-5079
David Ewing (Venice Community Coalition) - (310) 392-1365
Email: lp@lincolnplace.net

SENIOR AND DISABLED TENANTS FACING SEPTEMBER 1 EVICTION ACTION TO HOLD RALLY AUGUST 31

Lincoln Place tenants anxiously await Court of Appeals ruling on stay of evictions

Who: Lincoln Place Apartments residents, former residents, and community supporters

When: Thursday, August 31, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Where: Lincoln Place "Tent City" located at the corner of California Ave. and Frederick St., one block east of Lincoln Blvd. in Venice (located between Ross Dress for Less and Ralph's market). Click for map

What: Rally and vigil to either:

• celebrate and give thanks if the Court of Appeals issues a stay of evictions for the remaining 40 elderly and disabled households at Lincoln Place,
• seek strength and gather in solidarity with the seniors and disabled who will be served with unlawful detainer notices beginning September 1.

VENICE, CA -- On Tuesday, August 22, the Lincoln Place Tenants Association (LPTA) filed a Petition for a Writ of Supersedeas (an injunction) in the California State Court of Appeals.  The purpose was to keep the status quo until the CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) case can be heard on their appeal. Their underlying suit, Lincoln Place Tenants Assoc. v. City of Los Angeles, petitions the court to compel the City to enforce conditions of a redevelopment approval which prohibit the owner from evicting tenants against their will. The lawsuit is based on a landmark ruling by the state Court of Appeals last year, which said that mitigation conditions were "not mere expressions of hope," and that developers are not allowed to "piecemeal" CEQA. The city and AIMCO were reprimanded by the Appeals Court in that case.

If the Court of Appeals issues the Writ of Supersedeas, there will be cause for celebration, as the elderly and disabled tenants will be able to remain in their homes for the time being. It will also give hope to both the current and evicted tenants that at last the judicial system is hearing them and that a small band of tenants have the power to stand up for what is right. 

If the Court declines to issue the stay, the current and former tenants will gather together along with the community who has supported their fight for justice, and with unity they will continue to fight the evictions and face the service of eviction papers with calm and resolve.

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© Lincoln Place Tenants Association
Email: info@lincolnplace.net