La Pulga, a short-film: BART Threatens the San Jose Flea Market

The San Jose Flea Market has been a historic site filled with culture and economic opportunity for low-income residents and new immigrants. Since its initial establishment almost 50 years ago, the market has been a place where vendors can sell a variety of goods at low rent costs in areas with high foot traffic. The market serves as an entrepreneurial incubator. It fosters socioeconomic mobility for predominantly low-income, minority vendors. For low-income shoppers, it provides critical access to cheap, healthy produce and affordable household items. Additionally, it is a vibrant social space that houses community-building cultural festivals and events.

The city plans to build BART on this track of land, which can potentially displace the South Bay flea market community and its vendors. La Pulga (a two-part short film) explores the conflicts between an existing community's economic livelihood and an environmentally responsible land use plan and reveals the complexity of urban issues and social justice in a changing city. It demonstrates the need for a strong community voice in the city’s decision-making process. Urban Habitat is currently following the gentrification/displacement implications related to the San Jose BART extension and the policies necessary to combat the displacement of existing communities.

Generous funding provided by the Castellano Family Foundation
Produced by Henry Servin andAlina Kwak
Directed by Rene Picazo