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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Rob Martinez, Filmmaker and Content Creator
6:39:08
·
130 sec
Rob Martinez, a filmmaker and content creator, testifies in support of Intros 431 and 408, highlighting the cultural significance of New York City street vendors and the challenges they face. He emphasizes the need for a fair regulatory environment that allows vendors to operate legally and thrive.
- Martinez shares his experience creating popular videos about NYC street vendors
- He compares New York's street food scene unfavorably to other major cities due to regulatory issues
- The testimony advocates for decriminalizing street vending and providing vendors with opportunities for success
Rob Martinez
6:39:08
Good afternoon.
6:39:09
My name is Rob Martinez.
6:39:10
I'm a filmmaker and content creator.
6:39:12
I make videos about people and food.
6:39:14
I would like to thank chairmen and the committee for the opportunity to testify today in support of Intros four thirty one and four zero eight.
6:39:21
There are a few videos that I've made in my life that have been more beloved than the videos I've made about New York City Street Vendors, whether it's with Clay O'Tildey, whose amazing chalupas made the New York Times top dishes of 2024, or with Fidel Cortez, who New York Magazine dubbed the Limon Ice King of Bushwick, Brooklyn, or with the less heralded but equally important Tamaleeras y Tamaleros, who have opened their commissary kitchens to me at two in the morning, but they prep until 6AM to be ready to feed hungry New Yorkers on their commute.
6:39:50
These folks don't take up much space on the street, but they've earned a massive space in the culture of New York City.
6:39:55
I was recently asked to contribute to a popular YouTube food to food channel with over 10,000,000 subscribers, and they're producing a street food competition between the cities of Austin, Portland, Los Angeles, and New York City.
6:40:07
In Austin and Portland, the street food scene is a vibrant pop up scene, an incubator for entrepreneurs who can't afford a brick and mortar.
6:40:13
In Los Angeles, street vending has been decriminalized, and one of its most famous food trucks inspired the movie Chef.
6:40:18
But in New York, we have a broken system where vendors win accolades for their food but aren't given the opportunity to sell it legally.
6:40:24
I wasn't able to recommend some of the vendors that I love most because increasing visibility on their business might actually harm their business, which is insane.
6:40:33
New York lost that street food competition.
6:40:35
We came in last and the video currently sits at 3,400,000 views on YouTube.
6:40:40
I wish street vendors in New York were given the same opportunity to thrive as they are in these other major cities.
6:40:45
This package of bills will let vendors provide the services New Yorkers want in a regulated, predictable, and enforceable system and give them a real chance to build wealth in their neighborhoods.
6:40:54
The city must not criminalize street vendors for trying to provide for their families, but instead cut the red tape and facilitate a healthy regulatory environment for our smallest businesses to thrive.
6:41:03
Street vendors deserve a shot of success like all New Yorkers.
6:41:05
This includes a fair opportunity to make a living free from harassment.
6:41:08
Thank you for accepting my testimony today.
6:41:10
It is my hope that the city council takes this critical step of passing interest 431 and 408 as part of the street vendor Okay.
6:41:16
Your time has expired.