HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-17-2023_Open Session_General Comment_Basu, Neha_RedactedFrom: on behalf of Neha Basu
To:CityClerkDepartment
Subject:Public Comment: Stop Citations for Street Vendors and Day Laborers
Date:Wednesday, May 17, 2023 11:53:14 AM
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Dear SB Public Comment,
I am a former intern with the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice and student at Pitzer College emailing you to
support our Street vendor and Day laborers community by supporting the Emergency Ordinance that would stop
citations until the City can produce sustainable solutions through the San Bernardino Worker Center.
It is shameful, embarrassing, and unjust that despite the passing of state-wide legislation (SB 972) supporting the
rights of street vendors, the city and police continue to criminalize small businesses who are residents of San
Bernardino and contribute to the local economy. The case that found that the right of day laborers to solicit work
was rooted in the First Amendment was Comité de Jornaleros de Redondo Beach v. City of Redondo Beach. Day
laborers established the right to seek work, and yet, they continue to be intimidated and cited by local code and law
enforcement, even in San Bernardino.
We call on the San Bernardino Police and Code Enforcement to stop all enforcement operations immediately until
the city and community work collaboratively to provide viable solutions. Additionally, the City Council should
amend its code and remove enforcement power from the Police who have proven that their goal is to further
criminalize communities of color. I urge you to support ICIJ's emergency ordinance and pass a moratorium on
citations.
Sincerely,
Ms. Neha Basu