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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Street Vendor from Flushing on Vending Challenges
5:20:46
·
3 min
A street vendor from Flushing describes their experience becoming a vendor after losing their job, highlighting the satisfaction of customers but also the challenges faced with law enforcement and licensing issues. The vendor received multiple violations over a short period and faced harassment from licensed vendors.
- The vendor received over 10 violation tickets in an eight-month period, including four in a single day
- They faced theft of merchandise and oppression from licensed vendors
- The testimony concludes with a plea for an open process of giving vending licenses
UNKNOWN
5:20:46
Okay.
5:21:05
So I was unemployed previously.
5:21:07
I'm also a street vendor recently from Flushing.
5:21:16
Lost my job, so I chose to be a vendor to maintain my daily living.
5:21:33
So I realized that this work is very important to me, while I was doing this vending, job.
5:21:53
They brought good impressions to the customer.
5:21:57
They like my product.
5:21:58
Everybody's satisfied.
5:21:59
Everybody's happy.
5:22:01
But in the process, I realized I realized or find out that the police keep arresting me while I'm doing this work.
5:22:30
So over eight month period that I've been vending, I received over 10 violations tickets.
5:22:57
So I remember one particular day, I received four violations in one day.
5:23:05
Before I was even able to wrap up, after the first two tickets were given, I was then given another two tickets.
5:23:14
I had four for that day.
5:23:28
And the merchandise that's left there were stolen also by thieves.
5:23:54
And I was oppressed by people with the license claiming I don't have a license.
5:24:00
Several days ago, someone complained about me again.
5:24:19
So I'm hoping that this process be open of giving a license for vending, that I would receive a license for vending.
5:24:31
Thank you.