Picture this: a street vendor selling delicious tamales at the corner of your neighborhood, their smile warming your morning commute. Or maybe it’s the ice cream cart on a hot afternoon, or the churro stand lighting up the evening. These vendors aren’t just selling food—they’re bringing culture, flavor, and life to our streets.
Now imagine that same vendor facing harassment, fines, or even threats of having their cart confiscated. For far too long, our street vendors—pillars of our community—have faced these challenges alone. That ends today.
At Tianguis, we know street vendors deserve better. That’s why we’re proud to introduce the SAFE Program: Street Advocates for Education, a revolutionary initiative designed to protect, empower, and uplift our vendors while building stronger, more inclusive communities.
Street Vendors Are Vital to Our Communities
Street vendors are more than just businesses. They’re cultural ambassadors, hardworking individuals, and, above all, neighbors. These vendors:
Preserve Culture: Each bite of elote or sip of champurrado tells a story—a story of heritage, tradition, and community. Vendors keep these stories alive in every neighborhood they serve.
Support Families: Many street vendors are parents, caretakers, and breadwinners who rely on their income to provide for their loved ones.
Boost Local Economies: Street vending isn’t just good for families—it’s good for the economy. Vendors contribute to local commerce and generate economic activity, often in underserved areas. According to a study by the Institute for Justice, street vending supports thousands of jobs and injects millions of dollars into the U.S. economy every year.
Despite these contributions, street vendors often face disproportionate challenges—harassment, fines, and a lack of access to resources to defend their rights. This is where the SAFE Program comes in.
What Is the SAFE Program?
SAFE is more than a program; it’s a movement. It’s a community-driven initiative designed to protect street vendors and ensure they have the resources, rights, and support they deserve.
Here’s how SAFE works:
Advocate Support
Vendors receive bilingual cards (in English and Spanish) with:Emergency contact numbers for pro bono legal support, including immigration assistance and guidance for interactions with law enforcement.
A direct hotline to local advocates. If a vendor is harassed or threatened, they can call or text, and an advocate will come to their aid.
Imagine a churro vendor in Santa Ana facing police harassment—one call to the SAFE hotline, and a trained advocate is on the way to stand by their side.
Educational Seminars
SAFE doesn’t just respond to crises—it helps prevent them. Through educational seminars, vendors learn about:Their legal rights as street vendors under California law (e.g., SB 946, which decriminalized sidewalk vending).
Best practices for staying safe and compliant with local regulations.
How to handle interactions with law enforcement or complaints from the public.
Community Advocacy
SAFE is powered by everyday people who care about justice and equality. Advocates are trained to support vendors in real time, whether it’s explaining their rights to law enforcement or mediating a conflict with a local business.
Why Vendors’ Rights Matter
Street vendors have rights under California law:
Decriminalization of Sidewalk Vending (SB 946): This 2018 law decriminalized sidewalk vending across California. Vendors cannot be arrested or treated like criminals for operating their carts.
Permits and Compliance: Vendors have the right to apply for permits to operate legally. SAFE helps vendors navigate the often-complicated permitting process.
Despite these rights, enforcement can vary widely, and many vendors remain vulnerable to harassment or misunderstanding of the law. That’s why it’s essential for advocates to step up and protect their neighbors.
How SAFE Benefits the Community
The SAFE Program isn’t just about protecting vendors—it’s about strengthening our neighborhoods. By supporting vendors, we:
Create Safer Communities: When vendors feel safe, they can focus on their work, creating vibrant public spaces that benefit everyone.
Build Stronger Connections: Vendors bring people together, turning sidewalks into gathering places.
Empower Local Economies: Street vending generates income for hardworking families while boosting local economies. It’s a win-win.
How YOU Can Help
We can’t do this without you. SAFE thrives on passionate advocates who care about protecting and uplifting their communities.
Becoming a SAFE advocate means:
Standing Up for Justice: Help ensure vendors are treated with respect and fairness.
Making a Real Impact: Be the person a vendor can rely on in their time of need.
Strengthening Your Community: Join a movement that’s creating safer, more inclusive neighborhoods.
Ready to take action?
👉 Click here to apply to become an advocate today!
Filling out the application takes just a few minutes, but the difference you’ll make will last a lifetime.
Together, We Are SAFE
SAFE is more than a program—it’s a promise to protect and empower the heart of our communities. Every advocate, every call, every act of support is a step closer to a future where vendors feel safe, respected, and valued.
Join us in making that future a reality. Share this blog, spread the word, and most importantly—become an advocate.