Our Story

In an era where more of our workforce is in the informal economy with zero protections and safety nets for emergencies, the LA Street Vendor Campaign demonstrates how local solutions can scale up and reach thousands of precarious workers across Los Angeles and beyond.

A Decade of Organizing & Advocacy

2008

It all started in Boyle Heights in 2008, when a group of resident leaders with East LA Community Corporation began supporting their street vendor neighbors who were having issues with the police giving them tickets — harassment that lead to the eventual shutdown of a thriving but unsanctioned night market on Breed St. and Cesar Chavez Ave.

2010

In 2010, we held our first community forum on the state of street vending, and in 2012, we formally kicked off the LA Street Vending Campaign. At that time, we expanded to include forums in Highland Park, Pacoima, Leimert Park, and more, soliciting feedback from Angelenos and learning how vendors could be part of an inclusive Los Angeles economy.

2013

In 2013, Councilmembers Curren Price (CD9) and Jose Huizar (CD14)  — informed by our town hall meetings — introduced the motion to the Los Angeles City Council that started the conversation on a permit process.

2017

In April of 2017, the City of Los Angeles decriminalized sidewalk vending in the wake of President Trump’s executive actions, allowing for only administrative fines to be given for any sidewalk vending violations. This protected vendors from exposure to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for vending.

Our Coalition