LA street vendors fight for legalization

Listen to the full audio story

Download the MP3

There were no taco trucks or danger dogs around City Hall today. They were replaced by angry street vendors, upset over the fact that a motion to legalize their businesses had not been made a priority in City Council. 

The vendors, aided by the East Los Angeles Community Corporation, organized a protest on the steps of City Hall to bring attention to their cause. In a surprise twist, they also brought Valentine's Day gifts to council members, hoping that "showing love" would be shown back in legalizing their food businesses. 

The motion was filed in November and a report regarding its practicality was supposed to be passed within 90 days. The deadline came and went, and many vendors are upset over the fact that their issues have not been addressed. 

To Isela Gracian, Vice President of Operations at ELACC, legalizing the street vendors would create greater economic opportunities for Angelenos. 

"We want the city to engage its citizens in...more creative ways of economic interaction, given the hard times and lack of jobs over recent years", she said. 

Businesses around Los Angeles are often opposed to street vendors, given the fact that they can sell food for very low prices and can block sidewalks. There are also concerns amongst residents about health standards.

For many vendors, however, this is their only source of livelihood.

"I have a little daughter," said vendor Maria Gonzalez, "and I can't imagine her growing up without me because I got taken away."