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TESTIMONY

Testimony by Floribert Diaz, a Street Vendor: Overcoming Challenges as a Street Vendor in the Bronx

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Floribert Diaz shares his testimony on the struggles he faces as a street vendor in the Bronx.

Diaz discusses the direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his health and livelihood, leading to significant fines and the loss of his means to support his family.

With 26 years in the United States and four children to care for, Diaz highlights the dire situation resulting from multiple fines and emphasizes his reliance on vending as his only source of income.

Speaker 16

2:50:41

Tickets.

Speaker 45

2:50:51

Solutional the pandemic was the sonata mass.

Speaker 43

2:51:58

So good afternoon, and thank you to the members.

2:52:01

For giving me this opportunity to talk.

2:52:03

My name is Floribert Diaz.

2:52:06

I sell Tamales in Forum Road at the Bronx.

2:52:11

And I've been I have 4 children.

2:52:15

I've been in this country for 26 years.

2:52:17

And after the pandemic, I not only lost my job, but I got sick due to the COVID, and I'm still dealing with the consequences of that illness.

2:52:28

Currently.

2:52:30

The other day, we were at the street because my wife and I, we both work with the carts.

2:52:36

Selling Tamales and last month sanitation took both of our cars and gave us a 2005 And recently about 2 days ago, they gave us another find for 2 other finds for 1000 each.

2:52:51

And those are the tickets that I have.

2:52:53

And I don't have the money to pay because my cards are our only source of income.

2:52:58

I'm here because I've been a an district vendor, and it's my only source to support my family.

2:53:05

I'm feeling sick due to the COVID.

2:53:08

I'm dealing with anxiety, with depression, and when my children ask about my cart, and ask about what is happening, why I'm depressed, is really difficult for me because I cannot hide from them the fact that I don't have my card anymore.

2:53:25

And that I don't have a source of income to support them.

2:53:29

Thank you, and thank to my comrades for taking me here.

2:53:32

And the total amount that I'm owing in fines right now is 6000.

2:53:38

Thank you.

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Testimony by Vicente Pineda, a Street Vendor: A Plea for Support and Fair Treatment