Elote, Raspados, Frutas: Triumph for Street Vendors

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Starting this year, vendors can legally sell food and other products on the streets of Los Angeles. On Point reports with CHIRLA Organizing Director Antonio Bernabe, CHIRLA Marketing and Membership Strategist Mauricio Ramos and Municipal Attorney Gregg Kettles.

For decades, street vendors have been a well-kept secret in many Southern California communities. In 2018, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 946, legislation that regulates street vending practices. Also known as the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, SB 946 requires cities and counties to maintain certain rules when interacting with street vendors. Approximately 50,000 street vendors work in Los Angeles, with a majority being undocumented.

“To provide for your family, [that] should be … legal,” CHIRLA Organizing Director Antonio Bernabe said. “There is no need to attack people who are trying to provide for themselves. This is the only big city in the United States that doesn’t have selling permits, Los Angeles was the only city that is behind.”

CHIRLA is one of many groups who played a role in getting the legislation passed, and who are now helping street-vendors navigate the new rules.

“CHIRLA stands for The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights,” CHIRLA Marketing and Membership representative Mauricio Ramos said. “It’s all about the human rights of an individual, regardless of their status here. The street vending was the foundation of the Know Your Rights campaign.”

“The election of President Trump, and his hard line and hard rhetoric against the undocumented, really shamed the city of Los Angeles and the state of California to do something,” attorney Gregg Kettles said. “To protect our neighbors, who are suddenly at risk of being deported just because they are selling corn on the corner; it’s ridiculous.”

Many vendors now say they feel safe with SB946 in effect in California. For many vendors, selling from a street cart is the only way to provide for their families. But many believe street-vending is good for the communities as well.

“I’m glad the state of California and the city of Los Angeles have recognized all of the benefits of vending,” Kettles said, “not only for consumers, but also the people who are doing the selling. It’s really terrific for them too.”

Moderator: Sofia Gutierrez

Producer: Melissa Rodriguez

Anchor: Melina Rudigkeit

Social Media Editor: Scott Geirman

Reporters: Alexis Carfagno, Joy Edomwonyi, Claudia Flores, Scott Geirman, Sofia Gutierrez, Karissa Preciado, Melissa Rodriguez, Melina Rudigkeit

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