In April, I wrote about how LA’s street vendors have a long history of being treated unfairly by city government, including during the pandemic.
Today, even as restaurants are encouraged to expand outdoor dining, vendors are still being left out. (thread) la.eater.com/2020/4/21/2122…
Today, even as restaurants are encouraged to expand outdoor dining, vendors are still being left out. (thread) la.eater.com/2020/4/21/2122…
After years of advocacy in LA, street vending was finally decriminalized in 2018. But permitting was slow: of more than 10,000 vendors, only 29 were issued permits.
Then COVID-19 hit, and one of our City Council’s first responses was to crack down on all unlicensed vendors.
Then COVID-19 hit, and one of our City Council’s first responses was to crack down on all unlicensed vendors.
Street vendors, some of whom had already spent money applying for permits, found themselves on the wrong side of the law once again.
With many ineligible for unemployment and government loans, vendors have been forced to choose between losing their income and breaking the law.
With many ineligible for unemployment and government loans, vendors have been forced to choose between losing their income and breaking the law.
In late May, Mayor Garcetti announced that restaurants could reopen -- and receive free permits to take over streets and sidewalks and serve customers more safely outdoors.
Street vendors, who exclusively work outdoors, weren’t even mentioned. latimes.com/food/story/202…
Street vendors, who exclusively work outdoors, weren’t even mentioned. latimes.com/food/story/202…
Permits for street vending aren’t cheap. And the specifications for qualifying carts make the process prohibitively expensive for many vendors.
While restaurants receive free permits to operate outside during COVID-19, most street vendors can’t afford theirs.
While restaurants receive free permits to operate outside during COVID-19, most street vendors can’t afford theirs.
Unlicensed vendors who have kept operating have been targeted by law enforcement and fined between $200 and $1000.
At the same time, health inspectors found that 83% of bars and restaurants weren’t following COVID-19 guidelines. No fines were issued. nbclosangeles.com/news/local/los…
At the same time, health inspectors found that 83% of bars and restaurants weren’t following COVID-19 guidelines. No fines were issued. nbclosangeles.com/news/local/los…
In late June, the Mayor finally announced that street vendors were now eligible for LA’s outdoor dining plan.
But this just meant that out of more than 10,000 street vendors, only the *48 of them* that now have licenses could legally participate. la.eater.com/2020/6/26/2130…
But this just meant that out of more than 10,000 street vendors, only the *48 of them* that now have licenses could legally participate. la.eater.com/2020/6/26/2130…
Vendors are part of LA's lifeblood, making our streets safer and more vibrant. A Montebello vendor recently made news for stopping a carjacker.
But instead of offering aid in a crisis, the city keeps putting up obstacles to letting them operate safely. latimes.com/california/sto…
But instead of offering aid in a crisis, the city keeps putting up obstacles to letting them operate safely. latimes.com/california/sto…
The nonprofit @PublicCounsel, which provides free legal advocacy in LA, has drafted a comprehensive letter outlining legal concerns and recommendations on behalf of street vendors.
You can read it here:
You can read it here:
Please also consider giving to the fund from @InclusivAction to provide street vendors who are out of work with financial aid to help them through this crisis. They’ve helped hundreds of vendors, but the need is still great.
You can donate here:
gofundme.com/f/street-vendo…
You can donate here:
gofundme.com/f/street-vendo…
