The arrest of an Ecuadorian street vendor in Brooklyn, just a few weeks ago, for selling fruit in a subway station, whom the police took away in handcuffs as if she were a criminal, generated all kinds of criticism from different sectors New Yorkers and activists, who once again raised their voices urging the City to improve the conditions of workers in that union and protections.
And the recent announcement by Mayor Eric Adams, who revealed that he will take measures to reform and modernize the regulations of street vending, fell like a balm of hope for the more than 18,000 informal merchants who make a living on the streets of New York.
Adams announced which will take into account the recommendations of the Street Vendors Advisory Board, which issued this Wednesday after six months of analysis, and said that he will not only look for mechanisms to expand legal sales opportunities, but also promote business development and reduce the sanctions and penalties that have become daily bread for street vendors.
“As New York City reinvents our streets and sidewalks to be more equitable and pedestrian-friendly, we hope that the report will create opportunities for all vendors to formalize,” said the NYC Street Vendor Justice Coalition, which has been demanding that street vending be formalized for years. “For the first time in history, street vendors are included with other stakeholders to decide the future of their industry.”
The Street Vendors Advisory Board, which includes different municipal agencies and representatives of workers, reviewed the street vending industry, recommending business support for workers, simplifying merchandise display requirements, allowing mobile food vendors to keep products on top of carts, and repealing of criminal liability to street vendors.
Furthermore, that the Department of Transportation be instructed to study and test the viability of new opportunities for street vending in pedestrian plazas, municipal parking lots and places metered parking.
“Almost 18,000 businessmen, primarily immigrants, people of color, military veterans, and women, are employed as street vendors, diversifying the city’s economy and keeping our streets and sidewalks vibrant. However, for decades, street vendors have struggled under an unequal regulatory system, due to a lack of available permits and licenses and strict regulations and penalties,” added the NYC Street Vendor Justice Coalition, which highlighted the benefits that the Local Law 000 of 2021, which required that all state and municipal laws and regulations that regulate street vending in the Big Apple and propose reform recommendations.
“The report issued by the Street Vendors Advisory Board is a solid first step to update the outdated, inefficient and unfair vending system of the city. We are excited about these common sense and impactful policy suggestions,” warned the NYC Street Vendor Justice Coalition. “However, the City should consider bolder steps toward system reform to ensure that all street vendors in our city can formalize their businesses and earn a living without being treated like criminals.”
NYC Street VendorsMayor Eric Adams acknowledged in his announcement that street vendors are “an integral part of the city’s economy” and highlighted his support for the vision of the Street Vendors Advisory Board.
“Together, we can balance the needs of street vendors, physical businesses and residents. These recommendations do just that by cutting red tape, creating new opportunities for street vendors to operate legally, and improving access to healthy food across the five boroughs,” said the Mayor.
Mohamed Attia, Director Manager of the Street Vendors Project of the Center for Urban Justice thanked the City for the first time for including street vendors in decision-making.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Mayor Adams and the City Council to modernize the street vending system, ensure that all street vendors are licensed, and reduce red tape so that the smallest business in our city can truly thrive,” said the activist.
Murad Awawdeh, CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, was positive about the ad and warned that street vendors are an indelible part of the economy. to and recovery of New York City. “We are delighted to see the City adopt and implement much-needed protections for our smaller businesses to ensure our vendors can better serve New York communities with less red tape, reduced penalties and increased opportunities to thrive,” Awawdeh said.