A rally held outside of City Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 13, was attended by lawmakers and hundreds of street vendors and those who aspired to have the same opportunity. Bronx Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez, who is the daughter and granddaughter of street vendors, and has introduced a reform bill, said the current method of dispensing street vending licenses are arbitrary and unjust, and that changes are needed to enable those who “want to make an honest living.” Many of the vendors are immigrants and military veterans. Licenses are extremely difficult to obtain for newcomers, with the current number of those waiting over 10,000 names long. Queens Council Member Shekar Krishnan has also sponsored a bill that would repeal criminal penalties for vendors that currently could involve jail time, and cap any fines at $1,000.
Read the full story by Richard Khavkine for The Chief-Leader, published December 13, here: https://www.thechiefleader.com/stories/street-vendors-would-greatly-increase-according-to-council-bills,51584
