Los Angeles sidewalk vendors no longer have to worry about trying to make ends meet on the streets or side walk of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to decriminalize street vending. Immigrant advocates have long been fighting and arguing that sidewalk sellers should not face criminal charges that could place them at risk of being deported. Most of the street vendors are immigrants who had a long history of selling on the streets in their home country. They are willing to pay fees and taxes for the opportunity to be able to sell their merchandise.
Finally, the LA City Council agreed that vending should not be seen as a criminal act. Selling food and goods used to lead to misdemeanor charges that would place those sellers in jeopardy in case of a potential crackdown by the current government. City staffers will work out the details regarding the application for vending permits and fees. Until the staffers come up with a plan, the vendors may still be cited and fined for breaking the municipal code. The only difference is that there will not be any criminal convictions.
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