HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-21-2021_Open Session_General Comments_Soto, Najayra Vladovinos_Street Vendors_RedactedFrom:
Nmawa Valdonms Soto
To:
Public Cnmmen6
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4/21/2021 OWn Session
Date:
Wednesday, Aiml 21, 20211:02:56 W
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Dear Mayor, City Manager, and members of the Council,
My name is Najayra Valdovinos Soto, I am the youth engagement coordinator for
the Inland Empire Immigrant Youth Collective (IEIYC). I am contacting you today as a
representative of the over 10 San Bernardino youth leaders & IEIYC members who attend
San Bernardino Middle HighSchool, San Bernardino Valley College, & CalState San
Bernardino. We are demanding that all council members and staff find funding to support
the San Bernardino street vendor community.
We need to learn from cities like Los Angeles who have used millions from their
budget to invest in modernized carts and technician assistance to navigate the
bureaucracy. On the evening of Friday, April 1 &th 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. Additionally, we also
witnessed Vendors goods being confiscated this means vendors lose all income for the day!
How will they afford to buy permits with no income? Vendors need Carts Not Tickets!
Vendors are forced to sign contracts that compromise them and put them in further
debt. These shameful and racist practices hurt small businesses that 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.
We even ask to go beyond that and waive All citations!
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.
Sincerely,
Najayra Vatdovinos Soto
Pronouns She/Her/Ella
Youth Engagement Coordinator
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