Descendants of Pobladores Join Fight Against LA Plaza Excavation
Robert Garcia
Descendants of some of L.A.'s original founders join other Native American and religious groups in calling for cancellation of excavation of LA Plaza.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Relatives of the 44 Pobladores who originally founded Los Angeles joined American Indians and the Roman Catholic Church in outcry against the excavation for LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, stating that LA Plaza officials "should show proper respect to the deceased."
On Friday, LA Plaza's CEO Miguel Angel Corzo formally announced that excavation was halted for LA Plaza's garden. "We believe it is in the best interest of both LA Plaza and the larger community to put this section of our project on hold," he said.
But descendants of Pobladores want their relatives' remains left alone. In addition, they requested permission to visit the site of excavation.
The Pobladores as well as the Gabrielinos will speak at today's Board of Supervisors meeting.
Robyn on January 18, 2011, at 04:24PM – #1
More community members and not just the 44 Pobladores, American Indians, and the Roman Catholic church that should support the proper care and handling of the human remains and the historical artifacts found at this site. Hopefully a win/win (or at least a lesser of two evils) solution can be put in motion. I hope that all sides have beneficial options/alternatives and recommendations from professionals who deal with similar circumstances.
Glenn Rogers on January 18, 2011, at 09:17PM – #2
So we understand the opposition but what is the alternative being proposed. This site has been abandoned for decades why is it suddenly sacred?
Michael Imlay on January 19, 2011, at 07:46PM – #3
The controversy isn't the sudden sacredness of the site, but rather the actions of Plaza officials whose mission is supposedly to guard and preserve history, not cover it up. Old cemeteries can offer a wealth of historical information about prior generations' culture and customs -- which is why state law requires construction projects to immediately halt in cases like this so archeologists and historians can study a site. Instead we have another example of L.A.'s reputation for bulldozing its past to satisfy developers. Given that the Plaza is a historical monument, you'd think its officials would know better.
BobbyD on February 14, 2011, at 06:50AM – #4
As I understand it, these same people stopping the change were all for vendors practically controlling the plaza for a long time;but, now are objecting to gardens there. Seems to me that the concern is really for money now, not for respect of others long ago- an excuse to continue controllng the profitable location for money. I say that without any attempt to prefer the garden concept. I say the no preference because I designed the overall plan and did the plant work in the 1950s(no charge). Another project of mine destroyed, no big deal. On the other hand, so to speak, are some making a big fuss about respect for those from way back?Maybe too much fuss to really be concerned about someone else gone?
BobbyD on April 21, 2011, at 05:41PM – #5
Another factor here is the recent influence by those coming out of Mexico that want their styles put in the new design. The Pobladores are of the original spanish style from the settling of north of the Tijuana River, without inflence fromMexico. One note here is that the Pico House was built by Pio Pico who was born in Baja California(south of the Tijuana River), but he renounced everything Mexico and swore alliegience to the King of Spain to be the governor of California as we know it. There was never Mexican rule in and north of San Diego.
BobbyD on May 27, 2011, at 07:06PM – #6
By the way, around 1960 the old dirt in the garden was dug down to about 6 feet under street level(I had to have help getting out when I jumped in to study the composition of the remaining dirt so I could determine if the site would me to put in some new plants, which I did.