TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sonia Perez: Advocating Decriminalization and Permit Reform for Street Vendors
2:36:15
·
4 min
Sonia Perez, a member of the Street Vendor Project and the Street Vendor Advisory Board, testifies before the City Council, urging support for the reintroduction of a bill to decriminalize street vending and another to address the permit cap for vendors. Highlighting the anxieties faced by vendors due to criminal summonses and the hope for a normal life through honest work, Perez advocates for legislative changes that support street vendors' livelihoods and dreams.
Speaker 27
2:36:15
Okay.
2:36:19
Okay.
Speaker 1
2:36:24
Okay.
2:36:31
Okay.
2:36:31
Please proceed.
Speaker 18
2:36:35
Okay.
2:36:50
Okay.
Speaker 22
2:36:57
Okay.
2:37:54
Criminal, familiar.
Speaker 1
2:38:51
Please wrap up.
2:38:53
Thank you.
Speaker 22
2:38:54
Okay.
2:38:54
The Novart limited the Permisso Silicencia.
2:38:58
Yes.
Speaker 1
2:39:19
We're gonna need to wrap up.
2:39:20
Okay.
2:39:22
Thank you.
2:39:22
Yeah.
2:39:23
Okay.
2:39:24
Maybe we should Okay.
2:39:25
You're gonna do the translation.
2:39:26
Thank you so much.
Speaker 43
2:39:27
Good afternoon, console member, my name and members of the committee.
2:39:30
My name is Sonia Perez, member of the Street vendor project.
2:39:33
And member of the Street vendor advisory board.
2:39:36
I'm here to urge you your support towards the reintroduction of the bill as sponsored by council member Krishnan that would decriminalize street vending.
2:39:45
Such a bill would make all of my vendor comrades, including myself, work with less fear, and a stress of confrontation with senior performance officers.
2:39:54
We live with the fear of receiving a criminal summons simply for trying to work if we were giving a civil citation, the fear of going to court would be less, which is why it is necessary to decriminalize the street banding.
2:40:06
Our work is honest, and we don't steal from anyone.
2:40:08
We just want to work to try to have a normal life like any other human being so that we can provide for our children and support our families.
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I ask you not to deny us our dream and hope for a successful life.
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I am also asking for the prompt reintroduction and for this committee to hold the public hearing.
2:40:25
For the proposed legislation that will remove the cap on the number of permits and licenses for street vendors and the build that will create services for the street vendors within the Department of Small Business Services.
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Today, I have been waiting for a permit for over 25 years.
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As I'm sure you're aware, the big businesses we see today is started out as a small businesses starting small is always the first step.
2:40:49
Don't Step, don't crush our dreams.
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We are here to work with you.
2:40:55
I thank you for your attention and time listening to me and the needs of the street vendor community.
Speaker 1
2:41:04
Thank you very much.
Speaker 43
2:41:07
Isn't it?
Speaker 1
2:41:08
Yes.
2:41:08
Thank you.
2:41:09
Yes.
2:41:09
Please proceed.
2:41:10
Thank you.