Displaced in the Name of Development

Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo’s AB 1950 would mandate a historical report, compensation options, and a memorial to honor uprooted residents

Los Angeles, CA – Today, Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo unveiled Assembly Bill (AB) 1950, the Chavez Ravine Accountability Act, which aims to address the historical injustice faced by those living in the Chavez Ravine in Los Angeles, a predominately Latino community. Authored by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo and sponsored by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, AB 1950 would acknowledge and rectify the displacement of these communities in the 1950s, offering a path toward historical accountability, reparative measures, and a permanent memorial honoring their legacy.

“AB 1950, the Chavez Ravine Accountability Act aims to correct an injustice that displaced families and has lingered in the shadows of Los Angeles Eastside history for far too long. Amid the 1950s, the vibrant community of Chavez Ravine, home to mostly Mexican-American families, as well as Italian-American and Chinese-American, saw an upheaval as families were uprooted and displaced in the name of progress. Families were promised a return to better housing, but instead, they were left destitute,” said Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles).  “For generations, Chavez Ravine stood as a beacon of hope and resilience, embodying the dreams and aspirations of families who built their lives within its embrace. With this legislation, we are addressing the past, giving voice to this injustice, acknowledging the pain of those displaced, offering reparative measures, and ensuring that we honor and remember the legacy of the Chavez Ravine community."

Chavez Ravine was named after Julian Chavez, a rancher who served as assistant mayor, city councilmember, and, eventually, as one of L.A. County's first supervisors in the mid-1800s. Chavez Ravine as we currently know it, was established in the early 1900s, encompassed approximately 315 acres, and had three main neighborhoods — Palo Verde, La Loma, and Bishop. By the 1950s, this area was home to generations of predominantly Mexican Americans.

Residents, many of whom were working-class families, built a strong sense of community, with local businesses, churches, and social organizations thriving in the area. In the 1950s, the City of Los Angeles initiated plans to acquire land in Chavez Ravine under the guise of building public housing. However, it ultimately abandoned these plans and instead sold the land to a private developer who built Dodger Stadium on the site. This displacement forced more than 1,800 families from their homes and businesses, scattering a close-knit community and leaving a lasting impact on their lives and livelihoods.

"AB 1950 is about confronting a historical injustice and ensuring Angelenos understand the true story of Chavez Ravine," said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, one of the bill's sponsors. "Only by acknowledging the past can we work towards a more just and equitable future for all communities in Los Angeles."

“The unjust seizure of land from the longtime residents of these three communities in the Chavez Ravine neighborhood is a chapter in our city’s history that we cannot rewrite,” said Alfred Fraijo, Jr., Latino community leader. “Our homes are central to our livelihood and sense of being—and often the most important asset in the building of generational wealth. Belated as it may be, we hope this legislation will begin a larger conversation about how to restore justice to all those who bear the scars of social, racial, and economic discrimination, and create an opportunity for healing and reconciliation for all Angelenos.”

Specifically, if enacted into law, AB 1950 would result in:

• Historical Accountability: Mandates a comprehensive report detailing events surrounding the land acquisition and displacement,