“Hola Mi Gente” is a mural painted by the Puerto Rican artist Yenny Hernandez. The mural is located at 11 Second Street which can be viewed on the side of the Rincon Restaurant. Chelsea is known for having the highest immigration population in Massachusetts. The city became a center of Hispanic/Latino life due to the urban renewal leading the housing costs to be higher in areas immigrants from Central America initially lived. Yenny mentions this mural was painted to welcome people in Chelsea and also to encourage the Spanish speaking community identity.

​

The words pictured in the center of this mural “Hola Mi Gente '' means “Hello my people.” The large, bright and colorful letters depict the cheerful atmosphere of Hispanics/Latinos welcoming people to Chelsea from Spanish-speaking communities. The background consists of a dark jungle which can emphasize the bright letters. The colors used in this mural remind Yenny of her home country and appear nostalgic for people coming from Central America.

​

During the early 1980’s, a sanctuary movement began that helped refugees from Central America evacuate from civil war. As the U.S. didn’t allow the refugees to cross the border, local churches and cities were declared as sanctuary for the refugees. Chelsea also became a sanctuary city and the population of immigrants from Central America continued to increase due to the social issues occurring in numerous Central American countries. The mural plays an important role in welcoming Hispanic/Latino immigrants and reminding them of their homeland.