I have no words 😶 we’ve been working very hard on this project, here’s our (
@m0thercity
& myself) first story on how vendors mental health is impacted by removals and attacks. As part of our
@ReportingHealth
fellowship with
@LATACO
and
@capitalandmain
Some of my favorite photos from my recent photo essay for
@LATACO
where I covered Saturdays event in Little Tokyo as community gathered to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Zoot Suit Riots.
Last week on Tuesday, August 2nd, about 5 hours into his shift Lionel Perez and his team were verbally attacked and threatened by a white older male wearing a plaid shirt and L.A. cap.
Latest for
@LATACO
Had so much fun eating our way through Avenue 26 Night Market in Bell. Vendors looked so happy to be able to sell again, and props to vendor organizers because they organized this so well. They’ll be open today from 5PM-1AM stop by, eat, enjoy and keep it clean 😊
“I come from an indigenous background, we’re being stepped on by the people we chose…all four need to resign because all four are responsible.”
@LATACO
Last minute location change for vendors of Avenue 26:
📍5400 Rickenbacker Rd, Bell, CA 90201 (for this Friday-Sunday)
Reason for relocating is due to space, they wanted to make sure there was enough space for all vendors and enough parking for their clientes.
@LATACO
New ✍🏼 on
@LATACO
“…They make us feel like criminals,” said Monterroso. “We’re just working to help out our families. We have to pay bills just like everyone else. Nothing in this country is free. We know that, but they don’t let us work in peace.”
Ima rant, i understand that when a story/investigate scoop is good other publications are gonna wanna write about it. What gets me mad is when these bigger publications don’t give credit to the reporter who originally brought the attention to the issue.
Listo! The bolillo was a success!!!!! My parents are currently enjoying it with chocolate and we’re saving some to do tortas with our left over carnitas 🥰🥲
Latest for
@LATACO
“Venice is becoming snooty, and it’s important that the people coming in know that the very people that are the bud of their jokes and hatred are the very people who helped develop the nation and who continue to do so till this day.”
Update: Whittier Boulevard Re-Opens
Shout out to Izzy Catering Truck for tagging
@LATACO
in this photo.
After reaching out to Supervisor Hilda Solis’s office to confirm the re-opening of the curb on Whittier Boulevard she said it’s official. Her full statement is below:
In the last couple of weeks City of Santa Monica conducted a multitude of sweeps in which street vendors were cited, had their equipment confiscated and some were even arrested or handcuffed.
@LATACO
If y’all could take a moment to read my first published piece for
@LATACO
This pandemic is not easy on many which is why I invite you to meet Gabriela “Gabby” Lázaro, Who with no job in sight, turned to what she knew best, food. Now she’s dubbed “The Queen of Tamales” in DTLA.
There will be a community buyout today for Lionel the vendor who was attacked last week. This event is being put on by Edin Enamorado a very active street vendor advocate. Lionel did not want a GoFundMe he told Edin he’d rather have folk support his business. 🌮🌮🌮
Read my latest piece for
@LATACO
where I recap last Friday’s celebration held at Mariachi Plaza where street vendors from all over Los Angeles celebrated the passing of SB972. Here how vendors are feeling 😊
Gurlll we’ve come along way from our continuation school days 😝
Excited to welcome y’all to my monthly column: “The L.A. Public School Report” where I’ll cover all things education in Los Angeles the only way we know how to, the LA TACO way 😉
“We were in shock and are worried because a lot of families like us depend on selling at this market,” said fully-time street vendor Lesley Analco.
Latest ✍🏼 for
@lataco
with
@theglutster
on the closure of Avenue 26.
Update on Avenue 26, shout out to
@bfeinzimer
for the photos and to everyone who has kept us updated since the closure happened.
@LATACO
Temporary location for now will be:
📍1999 Humboldt St, Los Angeles, CA 900031, the next block over.
Surprise! Your girl is part of an exhibit highlighting Latina Journalists in history!!!! Still processing everything but can’t thank all of you enough for your support. Members, readers and of course everyone who trusts me/us with their story.
🤧🤧🤧🤧
The exhibit chronicles the historic work of Latina journalists while highlighting their groundbreaking work. L.A. TACO's own
@Janette__V
joined two other journalists, who were chosen to represent Latina journalists in the exhibit's "future" section.
Want to remind everyone that tomorrow vendors from La Palma commissary in Cypress Park will be once again demanding a solution for their abrupt eviction. 150 of them have nowhere else to go. Their health permits will be suspend the moment the commissary closes.
@LATACO
According to vendors an emergency text group chat created by Enamorado with South L.A. vendors proved to be more efficient and speedy than calling LAPD for help after being robbed at gun point.
"As I kept writing down their order, the one in the grey sweater took out the gun. That’s when he said give me the money," said the owner of Tacos El Delicioso.
Written by:
@Janette__V
“This is something that is mine and my daughters, I want my daughter to be proud of me when she grows up, and I hope she sees everything I did was for her.”
Bringing you a light-hearted and inspirational story today, super inspired by this young mom.
My dad let me take photos of him and I just can’t 🥑🥹🌳
As he picked out some aguacates from the very top, they fell perfectly onto the maca he has set up under the tree. Any other day, that maca carries the weight of his body, pero hoy it was the safety net for his cosecha💚
The power of a home cooked meal!
People from different states and most recently even from Tijuana have traveled to Riverside to try this delicious home cooked Indian food.
Kimi and her family are truly inspiring
My latest for
@LATACO
Court is starting to fill up by supporters of the Justice 8 as attorneys get ready to give an update. As of now a preliminary hearing for bail review has been set for Thursday.
@LATACO
Latest for
@LATACO
✍🏼 🎥
Through their Conchas, this Huntington Park panadería celebrates Pride Month by giving back to LGBTQ Youth one rainbow 🌈 conchita at a time.
Hola mi gente I am currently working on a story focusing on street vendors in LA. I am interviewing various street vendors of all ages. Older vendors, student vendors, new to street vending street vendors etc. and would love to interview more. If you know an LA vendor (1/2)
Immersing ourselves into the street vending world. We’re in Watts shadowing Jose Luis and his son as he makes his rounds. This as part of our on going project with
@ReportingHealth
@LATACO
and
@capitalandmain
@m0thercity
Also it’s his birthday today! 🥳
“What hurts the most is not that they take it away but that it all goes to the trash…That’s our livelihood thrown away.” said street vendor Rubén Leon Sanchez who sold hot dogs outside the stadium on Super Bowl Sunday.
@LATACO
Stay tuned y’all because we are cooking up something special with
@revolutioncarts
and
@LATACO
that will of course benefit los vendedores ambulantes de Los Angeles.
So pelen los ojos 👀 and take a look at LA’s first legal tamal cart 🫔
Seeing this in person was incredible.
Those who want to support Lionel can follow him on Instagram @ tacos_lionydas or visit their stand in Long Beach Tuesday-Friday at E. Atherton Street, and Clark Avenue.
My guide to the best tacos in Santa Ana is live
@LATACO
Santana has so much to offer that one list is not nearly enough to cover it all. But my heart and stomach are full 🥲 please treat all of these spots con respeto and enjoy their delicious tacos 🌮
Food truck owners protesting at Long Beach city hall for the parking restrictions that were placed yesterday causing their sudden removal from Shoreline Drive.
@LATACO
“These plants have basically changed our lives, so for us, it’s not just about selling plants. It’s about helping people with their mental health and life,” he said. “It’s about sharing knowledge and happiness through plants.”
✍🏼Latest for
@LATACO
🌱
Latest for
@LATACO
✍🏼 SB972, a bill that proposes to modernize the outdated CA Retail Food Code moves forward.
“…Changing this law will happen, maybe not today or tomorrow but I am certain it will happen, don’t stop fighting.”
Vendors from Bonnie Brea, MacArthur Park, El Salvador Corridor and La Palma Commissary were accompanied by
@CPColectivo
today to City Hall to ask for a meeting with Cedillo. Vendors present were either displaced or on the verge of displacement. 🎥:Carmen, La Palma Vendor
@LATACO
“…We want unification because there’s no community without unity and like 2 Pac said, ‘It wouldn’t be L.A. without Mexicans, Black love, Brown pride!’”
Latest ✍🏼 for
@LATACO
🤠
A reminder that tomorrow there is a public hearing where they will be discussing “illegal” street vending along Vermont Ave. Residents and supporters are encouraged to make a public comment at 7PM tomorrow. Flyer photos were shared via a resident in the area.
Read my first report for
@LAist
regarding LA City Council’s decision to pass two crucial motions in favor of street vendors.
Many say there is still much that needs to change. Street vendors I spoke with say “la lucha sigue” “the fight continues.”
Ah! So
@m0thercity
and myself along with
@LATACO
and
@capitalandmain
took home three awards last night!!!!
We were nominated in 6 categories for
@LAPressClub
‘s 64th Annual SoCal Journalism Awards and won half bro! It’s so crazy! 🤯
Omg I loved the Los Angeles episode on taco chronicles, not just cuz the taco crew is in it which is soooo amazing to see ❤️ but the taquero/as they include and how they even break down a bit of the permitting history in LA. 👏👏👏
Grupo Firme making history tonight for becoming the first to play two years in a row at
@SoFi
and for having most tickets sold by a Latino artist/band at the stadium.
@LATACO
Been in a baking mood since I last made conchas (pictured below) and although I have yet to perfect the concha, I had all the ingredients to make bolillos so that’s currently in the making. Will report back. 🤎
“When my parents came in 1994 to this country and my dad was selling door to door I don’t think he would have ever imagined that the seeds he was planting at the time would flourish in this way…”-Paulina Lopez, co-owner of La Guelaguetza.
@LATACO
Y’all I’m in search of some tamal vendors in Los Angeles if any of y’all know of any. Specifically street vendors. The OG’s yelling “TAMALES🗣” down the block or the ones selling from their trunk or cooler. Send me your recs 🫔 it’s for something super special!
#TAMALSeason
“I told my wife not to worry that everything was going to be okay, and the opening this past week, especially at that location, is a testament to that.”
From street vendor to owner of three taquerías. Dreams do come true✨
Latest for
@LATACO
🌮
Publications like
@ABC7
and
@NBCLA
who have the budget and more than a handful of reporters take credit for such an important story that took
@ShotOn35mm
weeks to write and report on. That’s not even counting the amount of time it takes to build respect with the community.
Update on the “Justice 8”:
- Preliminary hearing has ended
-Judge denied bail, holds 7/8 activists accountable for charges related to conspiracy, kidnapping and more. Based on testimony and evidence presented.
-Wendy Lujan’s attorney requested bail/OR seeing as Lujan
Latest reporte for
@LATACO
“This isn’t just about us we’re raising our voices for all street vendors, porque nosotros también valemos, we are out here selling to provide something better for our families, it isn’t a crime, we shouldn’t be targets.”
Thank you so much 🙏🏼 one of the collaboration pieces that
@m0thercity
and myself worked on involving street vendors in LA is a finalist for this years Ruben Salazar Award and I can’t be anymore proud 🥲
“Now, I want my students to have what I didn’t have, I want them to love the skin they are in, to love their culture, and embrace who they are. After all, that is part of what this class is about.”- Mr.López
New for
@LATACO
‘s monthly education column
In preparation for tomorrow, street vendors attended a “know your rights” training session with
@InclusivAction
and
@CPColectivo
Our
@LATACO
reporte coming soon.
#MostInfluentialLatinaJournalists
in California.
Meet
@Janette__V
from
@LATACO
“Her work and reporting has impacted public policy at the city council level... bringing awareness, protections and paths to success for street vendors.”
Full list:
La Palma Commissary vendors who’s eviction date is today, were reassured by
@cd4losangeles
that although she doesn’t have a say on what happens in CD1 they will try to make sure vendors from the commissary don’t loose their permits due to the sudden closure.
@LATACO
Latest for
@LATACO
✍🏼
“Pero yo estoy muy orgulloso de ser campesino (but I’m very proud to be a farmworker), because there’s always work, pandemics, fires in the country come and go but mother earth keeps producing and we’re here to work the land.”
So stoked about this!! I still can’t believe it LA Taco has not 1 but 2 stories as finalists for the Ruben Salazar Award in Digital and my heart is full. One of those stories is the student vendor story I wrote this summer. Here’s to the little guys we’re small but mighty 👏🏼
Tamal or Tamale 🫔🫔?
It’s that time of the year already and while looking through
@LATACO
‘s archives I found this gem by
@theglutster
Every year people correct each other on how to say it but which is the right term? Some say both 👀
Breaking: San Bernardino County Judge John M. Wilkerson has entered his ruling for the 7 remaining activists. He has denied bail for all, meaning Enamorado and the rest of the group will remain detained through their trial. Trail is set for March 1st.
@LATACO
And y’all can’t tell me it can’t be done cuz publications have in fact credited LA TACO and it’s reporters before. Anyway please read and share Lex’s work. This is the story making the rounds, excellent report.
✍🏼
@LATACO
One hundred percent of the proceeds from these Pride conchas will be donated to Latinx Equality Alliance. “We stand with our community. All of our community," says the owner of the Mexican bakery in SELA
Yooo!
@m0thercity
and myself are finalists in 6 categories for
@LAPressClub
‘s 64th SoCal Journalism Awards! This for our joint reporting covering street vendor communities in Los Angeles for
@LATACO
and
@capitalandmain
🥹🥲🤯
“I kept my promise. I just hope he’s proud of me because he prepared me for this very moment. I wouldn’t have this if it weren’t for him.”
Read my latest ✍🏼 for
@LATACO
Promise you’ll shed a tear and will be left craving mariscos. 🦐
So excited for this opportunity to once again dig deeper into how street vendors are impacted by removals etc. and I get to do this with the homie 👏
@m0thercity
let’s go!
16/ Los Angeles has been cracking down on its iconic street vendors for years. For
@capitalandmain
&
@LATACO
,
@Janette__V
&
@m0thercity
will explore the toll the constant threat of displacement and destruction of their businesses does to their mental health.
Complicated permitting systems, random attacks, confiscations & removals brought on by local officials. Street vendors in Los Angeles are severely impacted by all of these actions. Trauma specialist
@_Patty_Ramirez_
said there is “absolutely” a mental health crisis among vendors.
Become a member, none of what is done at LA TACO from the writing, reporting, videos, and events are possible without your support. Also big shoutout to Sam, you should brag bby girl you do such an amazing job and do so much! ❤️
Seldom do I brag about my job but I do get to create events where we support some of L.A.’s best taqueros and get people FREE food…✨And it’s all to support local journalism✨SOOO help me help you get free food by becoming a member of
@LATACO
“…San Pedro has this underbelly of racism and it’s not talked about a lot…this is a good opportunity to address it and also let the community know that this will not be tolerated,” Arechiga said.
Latest for
@LATACO
Family of Monique Munoz said via
#justice4moniquemunoz
Instagram account that this is far from over.
“Instances of wealthy criminals getting “sweet heart deals” or light sentences are all too common but we won’t accept that,” they said. The protest this Saturday is still on.
I was talking about this yesterday, LA TACO opened the door for me. Have been providing a space where I can grow and learn as well. Everyone legit believes in each other’s abilities and talents and thats what many newsrooms lack. New faces, new perspectives, new eyes.
No excuses. The raw talent is out there. Speaking as a Latino journalist who dropped out of college and still found a career in journalism, but only after someone took the painstaking time to show me the ropes and work with me.
“I think nowadays, being able to record and document the experiences vendors endure is super important because it lets everyone know that we are watching,” said Guardado. “It lets them know we will not stand for this.”
Mi reporte for
@LATACO
The second hearing for the 8 activists who were arrested almost two weeks ago was held this morning. Once again supporters showed up demanding the release of all 8 activists who have been dubbed “The Justice 8.”
Full video recap below.
@LATACO
“We are simply making a living. What they need to do is sit down with us and talk to us,” she said. “…Unfortunately, they seem to not want to do that, I don’t know why? Are we not important enough?”
New for
@LATACO
“This is about respecting street vendors and respecting each other because we all have our reasons for hustling the way we do.”
Latest story for
@LATACO
✍🏼
Gofundme is included in the article.
“What does it say about us as a city if the most well-resourced department is focused not on making people safer, but in this case, proactively looking for ways to criminalize people in a pandemic? Our priorities are wrong,” Espinoza says. By:
@ShotOn35mm
Feliz Día de las Madres everyone! I wanted to share my latest story for
@latinorebels
about
@AngelsFlowers3
a flower shop in Santa Ana that has become a line of communication and support for many during this pandemic.
“The community enjoys coming out to try new food. If people in the community didn’t like any of the many markets in Los Angeles, these markets simply wouldn’t exist,” said Pérez.
Latest update on Avenue 26 and Patata street vendors. ✍🏼
@LATACO
Live from the court hearing regarding the “Justice 8”, court is currently on a 15 minute recess. So far Edin Alex Enamorado was denied bail once again.
@LATACO
Yesterday
@m0thercity
and I had our open forum event for street vendors as part of our
@ReportingHealth
project.
I have to give a huge thank you to the 30+ vendors who showed up, joining us from work, from their homes, and from Sacramento where they are advocating for SB972.
All I got for x-mas was Covid, from the one unvaxed person in the family! I have taken so many precautions to not get Covid not just for me but for my family. We lost family to Covid last year so ya I take it serious.
Get Vaccinated! Fuck your lame excuses 💉 & Get tested!
Street vendors who sell outside the LACC Swapmeet gathered today to celebrate the take down of un-authorized fencing that was put up by the owner of the swapmeet on Wednesday. “Are problems with him are not over but we’re now more confident in our power.”- Javier
@LATACO
Looking for the best pan de muerto for your ofrendas? I got you! Here’s my latest for
@LATACO
Side note: I loved meeting the owners for some of these family owned panaderías 🥰
Re-tweeting again because the deadline is fast approaching. Please help out your local tamaleros in entering this giveaway. If they have trouble uploading video no worries my email is on the form you can email it and I’ll make sure it’s included.
Latest piece ✍🏼 for
@LATACO
Shoutout to
@CabralRichy
@mrmikedelarocha
and Carlos for talking to me about the importance of knowing where our products come from. And for showing us the importance of building real relationships with famers like Carlos.
Rodeo communities from across Los Angeles and beyond are gathering to try and put a stop on an ordinance being voted on today that seeks to end rodeos in Los Angeles.
@LATACO
Mi reporte for
@LATACO
“If there could be less discrimination towards street vendors, that would be great. We are earning money in an honest way. We aren’t committing any crimes were just trying to earn a living just like everyone else here. That’s all.”
Checked in with Taco Madness contestants
@TacosLosCholos
and talked with Carlos who said they are very hopeful that they will advance to the next round.
For the full video head to
@LATACO
‘s IG
And vote for your favorite taquero tonight voting ends at 11:59 PM.
“We were about to complete 13 years there, and in that time, we never had an issue until now…It does affect us, and I don’t just mean me as the owner tambien mis trabajadores…esta duro.”
Latest for
@LATACO
Translated my latest piece on the Justice 8 after some requests from Spanish speaking supporters and vendors who would like to stay updated. Please read and share! 🙏🏼
Juez en Victorville Dictamina Que La Fiscalía Tiene Evidencia Para Proceder Con Cargos de Conspiración a Siete de Los Ocho Activistas Detenidos
Reportaje:
@Janette__V
“This is something I enjoy doing, I love cooking and when you see a customer eat a taco and savor it, that’s my payment right there. I already won. There’s nothing like that feeling.”
Latest for
@LATACO
✍🏼
“A month after her passing, her family is still seeking justice and is demanding for District Attorney George Gascón to take action on the case.”
Latest piece for
@LATACO
#JusticeforMoniqueMunoz