Photo: LOUAI BESHARA / AFP / Getty Images
Owners of small businesses demonstrated this Monday afternoon in protest at the imminent closing of the North Hollywood swap meet.
With banners and expressions in Spanish of “yes we can” and “we can’t let’s go”, dozens of protesters blocked a section of the road in front of the access to the popular exchange center, in 7355 from Lankershim Boulevard.
Small business owners protested because they say they only received a notice from 30 days to vacate the property.
Related: Dozens of small merchants could lose their business due to the closing of the North Hollywood swap meet
Some versions indicate that the owners of the land They intend to tear down the structure to build buildings.
A moment of Tension occurred when protesters clashed with officers from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), who formed a line during the protest.
The North Hollywood swap meet is a exchange center that has served the Latino and immigrant community in the area for many years. Some of the small businesses have been operating there for decades.
“We are trying to fight to keep it open. My parents have been here for over 25 years,” said business owner JNC Toys. , Iver Cano, to ABC.
Cano mentioned that some of the customers have been coming since they were kids to the North Hollywood swap meet, which has been open for more than 54 years.
The owners of small businesses said that face a fine of $600 dollars in case of vacating the building before before the end of the month, and they are requesting an extension of at least three to six months.
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