I used to be a property manager and I firmly believe the Ellis Act is harmful to renters (and unnecessary, since anyone wishing to exit the rental business has always had the option of selling their properties). My former boss, who had somehow never heard of the Ellis Act until I mentioned the Barrington Plaza case in passing, agrees with me on this.*
The LA Tenants Union reached out regarding a press conference next Wednesday, October 21:
As anti-eviction protests spread across the globe, Silverlake families demand that judge stop sheriff lockout, respect tenants’ right to a trial
WHAT: Press conference calling on newly-appointed Judge Cherisse Heidi A. Cleofe to grant motion for a new trial before the sheriffs lock out two families from their homes of 30 years, and to invite the public to join the fight against Ellis Act evictions in Los Angeles
WHO: Latino families organized as the North Occidental Tenants Association; elders from the LATU Anti-Ellis Comité, Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez
WHERE: Steps in front of Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 N. Hill Street
WHEN: Wednesday, October 21st 10am
ABOUT: On September 3rd, the newly-appointed Judge Cherisse Heidi A. Cleofe ruled to evict two long-time Silverlake families from their homes of 30+ years. Despite substantial evidence that the landlord committed fraud to flip the property; physically assaulted a tenant; and seriously violated various local ordinances, Cleofe ruled to evict the tenants without a jury trial, leaving them to fight a looming sheriff lockout. With nowhere else to go, tenants are pursuing every option to remain in their homes, and have filed a motion for Cleofe to grant a new trial.
Mayoral candidate Nithya Raman has written directly to Cleofe to urge her to grant the tenants a trial. “It is my hope that Judge Cleofe grants a jury trial for the eviction proceeding she is presiding over so that impacted tenants can make their case,” she told Calo News. “While the properties on North Occidental are not located in my district, they exhibit the current challenges with the structure of the Ellis Act.” In 2023, City Council approved Raman’s motion to prevent “bad faith” evictions under the Ellis Act, but the LA Housing Department has since refused to adopt City Council’s directives.
[Ed. note: Is anyone surprised by LAHD’s bald-faced contempt for renters? I know I’m not.]
In response, disabled, elderly, and immigrant tenants–many of whom have fought and won against up to 5 consecutive evictions–have formed the Comité Anti-Ellis, which has repeatedly protested the LA Housing Department for their inaction. In a time of rising rents and growing homelessness rates, LAHD has approved the destruction of over 32,000 rent control homes by the Ellis Act.
Outrage over the violence of evictions has grown over the last month, since the forced removal and tragic death of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal sparked international protests and triggered early elections in Spain. Organizers from the Madrid Tenants Union, who have led protests and are now organizing a General Strike, visited the LA Tenants Union this past summer and spent every Tuesday volunteering at North Occidental’s neighborhood food distribution, which has fed dozens of immigrant families each week since the ICE raids began in June 2025. If Judge Cleofe refuses to grant the tenants their right to a jury trial, families across the neighborhood will feel the effects.
The Los Angeles Tenants Union (est. 2015) is the largest autonomous tenant union in the country, composed of a diverse group of residents from neighborhoods across the city who come together to fight against displacement, eviction, and social cleansing, and demand the human right to housing for all.
This event will include Spanish & English speakers. Interpretation will be provided. Interviews available.
Media contact: Esteban Arellano, (720) 273-9073, echoparkrep@latenantsunion.org
*We evicted ONE tenant during my tenure, but it was strictly for cause. He was loud and disruptive, harassed a neighbor, and trashed the unit before he left.