Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Angel, Street Vendor and Member of York
3:19:15
·
3 min
Angel, a street vendor from The Bronx, testifies in support of the street vendor reform package (Intros 431, 408, 407, and 204). He describes the challenges and fears faced by street vendors, including the risk of ticketing, arrest, and potential immigration consequences, while emphasizing their contributions to the city's economy.
- Angel has been a street vendor for five years, forced into it by the pandemic
- He highlights the contradiction of being told to get a license but being unable to obtain one due to current regulations
- Angel stresses that vendors want to comply with regulations and work legally, but are trapped by the current system
UKNOWN
3:19:15
Hello.
3:19:16
My name is Angel and I'm an active member of York.
3:19:20
Thank you for the opportunity to present my testimony.
3:19:24
I have worked as a street vendor in the City Of New York during five years since the pandemic forced me to do it.
3:19:31
I live in The Bronx, and I work in different areas of the city trying to support myself in an honest way.
3:19:37
I am here to ask the council to please approve the reform package for street vendors projects four thirty one, four zero eight, 40 seven and 20 four.
3:19:45
We need these to be approved in order to work without fear and with dignity.
3:19:49
Street vendors contribute to New York City's economy paying taxes, business and personal taxes.
3:19:56
We work hard but even though we don't receive any type of reimbursement.
3:20:00
An example of this is this check of 1¢ that I got sent.
3:20:05
It's a reminder of the little that we receive in exchange for our contributions.
3:20:10
Street vending is the only source of income for me and my family.
3:20:13
It's not just a job, it's how we survive.
3:20:15
It's my survival.
3:20:17
It's how I put food on the table for my family and I'm not asking for charity.
3:20:21
I am asking for the right to work legally.
3:20:23
These reforms are very important for me because they would give us a security to do our job without a constant fear.
3:20:29
Every day I have fear of being ticketed or arrested just because I'm trying to support myself.
3:21:57
The health department tells us to get a license.
3:21:59
And when we apply, they tell us they can't give us one.
3:22:02
This is a cruel cycle, and they make us jump through hoops, and then they close the door on us.
3:22:07
We live in fear especially during the Trump administration.
3:22:11
At any moment, could be arrested for a violation we can't avoid and that charge has a potential to impact our immigration status.
3:22:18
The fear is heavy on our hearts every single day.
3:22:21
We want to comply with the regulations, but the city won't allow us to obtain obtain the permits and licenses that we need.
3:22:27
We're trying to do the right thing, but we're trapped by a system that refuses to help us.
3:22:32
Street vendors don't qualify for government programs.
3:22:34
We are self sufficient.
3:22:36
We're not asking for handouts.
3:22:38
We just want the ability to work without fear to support our families and to contribute to the city that we so much love.
3:22:44
The passage of these laws would bring order to our streets, our neighborhoods, and our communities.
3:22:50
But most importantly, it will let it would allow us to work with dignity as we have always tried to.
3:22:55
I'm asking the city council to pass these street vendor reforms bills now so that we can finally work with a permit and without fear.