Starz's Vida protested for promoting gentrification -- after filming of a scene about gentrification

Los Angeles Times

The Mexican-American Los Angeles neighborhood of Boyle Heights, where the Starz Latinx series is set, has been at the forefront of battles over gentrification in recent years. Now Vida is being accused of promoting gentrification -- after filming a scene about the effects of gentrification last Thursday night. According to the Los Angeles Times, "the activist group Defend Boyle Heights sent a call-out — or 'HOOD ALERT!!!'— for a demonstration during the filming, claiming the production was taking advantage of the neighborhood. The group slammed the show, saying that it 'tastelessly exploits the anti-gentrification struggles of Boyle Heights' and that it stole images from activists." Producers say they are trying to honestly portray the debate about gentrification. But the anti-gentrification activists argue that the show is profiting off of those trying to stay in their homes as artists, hipsters and developers move in. They also Vida is making fun of their cause.