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LA has obviously been transformed by this pandemic. But in many ways, the pain that residents are feeling now is manmade -- built on years of policies that have failed our most vulnerable.
Let’s take one particularly egregious example: street vendors. (thread)
Let’s take one particularly egregious example: street vendors. (thread)
There are an estimated 50,000 street vendors in Los Angeles, 10,000 of whom sell food.
Many street vendors are refugees or are undocumented, and came here fleeing violence in Central America.
80% of street vendors in LA are women, and many are seniors. https://wagingnonviolence.org/2019/01/street-vending-legal-los-angeles-after-decade-organizing/
Many street vendors are refugees or are undocumented, and came here fleeing violence in Central America.
80% of street vendors in LA are women, and many are seniors. https://wagingnonviolence.org/2019/01/street-vending-legal-los-angeles-after-decade-organizing/
Some history of street vending in LA: for decades it was illegal according to the municipal code. Vendors routinely faced fines, police harassment, and even arrests/deportation.
So vendors organized, and advocated for a system of permits that would allow them to work legally.
So vendors organized, and advocated for a system of permits that would allow them to work legally.
In 2013, after years of vendor advocacy, LA City Council finally passed a motion to look into permits for vending.
And then…. they did nothing. For years.
Until 2018, when they were forced by a new state law that decriminalized vending and made cities set up permitting.
And then…. they did nothing. For years.
Until 2018, when they were forced by a new state law that decriminalized vending and made cities set up permitting.
The vendor permitting system LA finally produced is a maze: you need permits from both the County and the City and must use a County commissary, all of which can cost $1000s a year.
Some of the rules even conflict: no existing food cart actually satisfies all of the regulations.
Some of the rules even conflict: no existing food cart actually satisfies all of the regulations.
Seven years after LA committed to creating a vendor permitting system, only *29* permits have been issued.
It was in this context that the City Council just voted to enforce a ban on all unlicensed vending during the emergency. That means all but 29 food vendors are out of work.
It was in this context that the City Council just voted to enforce a ban on all unlicensed vending during the emergency. That means all but 29 food vendors are out of work.
Because so many LA street vendors are undocumented, they won’t see a dime of federal stimulus funds.
Undocumented residents make up 10% of LA County’s population. Our City Council has so far not indicated they have their back.
Undocumented residents make up 10% of LA County’s population. Our City Council has so far not indicated they have their back.
While LA street vendors are banned from working at all, food trucks have been allowed to stay open for business. Some are expanding to sell alcohol.
City Councilmembers -- the same ones who banned vending -- are encouraging people to patronize the trucks. https://twitter.com/eaterla/status/1246139918662975490?s=20
City Councilmembers -- the same ones who banned vending -- are encouraging people to patronize the trucks. https://twitter.com/eaterla/status/1246139918662975490?s=20
COVID requires LA to make dramatic changes to keep residents safe.
But making changes that punish people like street vendors -- who were already in perilous situations thanks to City inaction -- without alleviating the pain that will result? That is cruelty writ large.
But making changes that punish people like street vendors -- who were already in perilous situations thanks to City inaction -- without alleviating the pain that will result? That is cruelty writ large.
If you want to help street vendors, Inclusive Action has put together a fund to provide vendors who are out of work with one-time payments of $400 to help them through this crisis. It’s not enough, but it’s a start.
To make a donation, go here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/street-vendor-emergency-fund
To make a donation, go here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/street-vendor-emergency-fund
