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Gentrification Must Stop!

RECEIVED Wed., Oct. 17, 2012

Dear Editor,
    Re: "Then There's This: MACC Attack Averted?" [News, Oct. 12]: "The city historically has had a hard time saying no to developer interests." Unfortunately, this statement is painfully true for East Austin residents. For many decades city officials have been giving into the wishes of these powerful capitalists over those of longtime residents.
    This News article also stated that Rainey Street is Austin's first known Mexican-American neighborhood. This is not true; the first Mexican-American neighborhood was actually located in West Downtown. In the 1920s, the city forcibly relocated them to the Eastside. This segregationist plan included my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents!  This News piece also referred to Rainey as a Southeast Downtown neighborhood. My family lived there from 1945-1985 and we considered it East Austin because the residents were mostly Mexican. This whole encroachment on our land and total disrespect of our people must stop. Gentrification of this type smacks of racism!
Anita Quintanilla
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