Description
This collection contains materials created or collected by the Asociacion de Vendedores Ambulantes [A.V.A.] also known as
the Street Vendors Association, an organization, which mobilized the street vendors fight to legalize street vending in Los
Angeles. It includes significant Spanish language materials.
Background
In the late 1980's, street vendors began organizing to legalize street vending in Los Angeles, the only major city in the
United States that had outlawed such street sales. Due to a rise in Latin American immigration in the 1980's, street vending
in Los Angeles increased, as many new immigrants struggled to make a daily living through street vending. Thousands of vendors
risked arrest since vending in Los Angeles was a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Vendors
also risked having their goods confiscated by police and would often experience police abuse and harassment. As a result,
vendors and their advocates organized a vendor's rights movement, which fought to legalize street vending in Los Angeles.
Extent
4 legal boxes and 4 audiocassetes
1 1/3 linear feet
Restrictions
Copyright has not been assigned to the Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research. Researchers may make single
copies of any portion of the collection, but publication from the collection will be allowed only with the express written
permission of the Library's director. It is not necessary to obtain written permission to quote from a collection. When the
Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research gives permission for publication, it is as the owner of the physical
items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Availability
The collection is available for research only at the Library's facility in Los Angeles. The Library is open from 10 a.m. to
4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Researchers are encouraged to call or email the Library indicating the nature of their research
query prior to making a visit.