On Mother’s Day, May 10, Kaotar left her home with her kids to visit her mother. While she was gone, her landlord went to her house, replaced the locks, shut off her utilities and gutted her bathroom. Upon returning home, she began to think that the eviction was retaliation for a restraining order she filed against her abusive ex-boyfriend, who happens to be the son of the landlord, Charles Hines.
Nineteen days later, several of the LA Tenants Union’s chapters, organizers from Defend Boyle Heights, other activists and lawyers, arrived at the house in Mission Hills.
Locks were cut through, the boards that had once served to keep Kaotar and her family out were crowbarred off, and people carried Kaotar’s belongings (that had been tossed out) back into her home.
Kaotar’s lawyers cited that her eviction was illegal when LAPD showed up with riot gear. LAPD refused to acknowledge the lawyer’s legitimacy at first and attempted to force their way into the residence that had now been barricaded by activists.
On that quiet morning, neighbors, one of which had been the one who called the police, watched from their driveways.
When one of the landlords arrived, LAPD kept her separate, unable to be reached by anyone except cops.
Kaotar’s illegal eviction happened during the moratorium. As we continue through wave 2 of the pandemic, eviction moratoriums have been extended, however that is not guaranteed protection.
With a looming housing crisis in the US, housing advocates have called for rent and mortgage cancellation. LA Tenants Union has stated that rent relief efforts are just subsidies for corporate landlords.
Activists from the Los Angeles Tenants Union, Defend Boyle Heights and other supporters removing plywood set up by the landlord to keep Kaotar out. 
Removing plywood from the front entrance window of the house. 
Removing barriers. 
The moment the nails give. 
Cutting through the locks of the front door. 
Moving in. 
Kaotar’s belongings were thrown out into the yards, her supporters brought them back into the house. 
After cutting the lock of the breaker box, someone turns the power back on. 
The front of the house after barricades were removed. Signs read “Housing is a human right”, “Hands off Kaotar” and “Rent: No; Food: Yes” 
Kaotar giving a statement after her belongings were placed back into the house. Across the street, LAPD began to put on riot gear and the commanding officer began conversations with Kaotar’s lawyer. LAPD did not believe the lawyer was a lawyer. 
The moment LAPD ceased attempting to enter the newly barricaded home.
