LA has some of the best street food in the US. The best tacos. Corn on the cob to die for. And fresh-cut fruit.
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Street food vendors are scared of the cops. Lots of cops get free food from vendors because they're scared they'll be arrested otherwise.
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Some street vendors have to pay for street protection in a variety of ways. Another unreported aspect of street vending, but it happens.
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And everyday patrons can be abusive and rob street vendors of food and more, and little can be done. Street vending is a precarious thing.
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And restaurants sometimes tip authorities off about a street food vendor because they don't like the competition. Hater shit.
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Unethical reporters that love to sensationalize "this is the best [fill-in-the-blank street food]" also put the street food vendor in peril.
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If you know street food vendors, you'll know that what they fear the most is getting raided. It's a logical and persistent fear.
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During a raid, authorities will take not only the the street vendor's food, but also the equipment. It leaves them with nothing.
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Public servants like mayor
@ericgarcetti say they want to protect everyone. But street food vendors feel very little sense of safety. -
We were out today and craving mangoes. Fresh cut with lime and salt please! What we found instead was a street food vendor getting raided.
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I love LA. But I'm ashamed to claim a city that treats people like this. It's immoral to criminalize this work.pic.twitter.com/nfVyEeoGE3
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This is how the City of LA prioritizes its funds: it criminalizes immigrant people who are doing the essential work of feeding others.
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LA locks people into impossible decisions. Street food vendors can't apply for licenses because none exist. Makes life even more vulnerable.
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This kind of thing is important ahead of the new administration. LA can't front like its a magical sanctuary if it continues to do this.
End of conversation
New conversation -
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So what's the solution?
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One solution is to de-criminalize the sale of street food. Another is to create a license that people can apply for.
@ChriStark23 -
I agree, so what's the process in changing that? How does the common person get involved?
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The full city council will vote on whether to allow street food vending permits on January 18. Call your councilperson!
@ChriStark23 - 1 more reply
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