HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-21-2021_Open Session_General Comments_Martinez, Marlene Chavez_Street Vendors_RedactedFrom:
Marlene am MaNnez
To:
Public Commen6
subja
4/21/2021 OWn Session
Date:
Wednesday, Apnl 21, 20219:52:32 AM
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Dear Mayor, City Manager, and members of the Council,
I am contacting you today to demand all council members and staff to find funding to
support the San Bernardino street vendor community. We need to Team from cities like Los
Angeles who have used millions from their budget to invest in modernized carts and
technician assistance to navigate bureaucracy. On the evening of Friday, April 16th eight
San Bernardino Police officers criminalized street vendors by issuing misdemeanors. We
also witnessed two Business Registration staff cite people which put our folks into further
poverty.
Vendors are forced to sign contracts that compromise them and put them in further
debt. These shameful and racist practices hurt small businesses who only contribute to the
local economy. We call on the San Bernardino Police to stop all enforcement operations
immediately until the city and community work on solutions that are accessible to vendors. I
also ask the City Council again to amend its code and remove enforcement power from the
Police who have proven that their goal is to further criminalize communities of color.
Additionally, the City Council should amend its code and remove enforcement power from
the Police who have proven that their goal is to criminalize communities of color, especially
Latino and immigrant people.
Best,
MmIene Chavez -Martinez she/her/hers)