https://www.facebook.com/reel/8830316330387507

In late December 2025, Oakland and Alameda County’s stance on street vending shifted dramatically and without warning. What once was a tolerant and decriminalized environment became oppressive, marked by heavy-handed enforcement, property destruction, and the criminalization of an honest way of life.  Our community's heart sank as we watched this transformation happen, knowing the dire consequences it would have not only on our vibrant community but on the lives of individual street vendors who depend on their businesses to survive.

This shift in practice escalated sharply on May 1st, 2026 leading to persistent raids characterized by severe brutality and destruction of livelihoods that seem to ignore the very humanity of those affected.  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fT3enE2hLDvoVCjnGChDv0sejnRDNDTQ/view?usp=sharing

On September 2, 2026 the escalation continued when city staff Ricardo Salas allegedly  physically assaulted a Guatemalan street vendor at the tamale booth she worked at during one of these harmful and illegal enforcement operations.

The diligence, culture, and entrepreneurial spirit demonstrated by street vendors are being crushed under the weight of oppression, with no forewarning or dialogue, just raw enforcement.

In a city celebrated for its diversity, community spirit, cultural richness, and mom and pop entrepreneurship, the abrupt crackdown is not just a betrayal to street vendors but a direct contradiction to the principles of inclusivity and support for local businesses, and Oakland's identity. Street vendors are not criminals; they are hardworking individuals striving to make an honest living by offering unique goods and services, often representing the essence of our community's identity and heritages. We the community want them here - protected, supported and invested in.

Street vending has historically been a cornerstone of local economies, providing food, art, cultural touchstones, and places of gathering and belonging that enrich our community. Now, these vendors are facing unwarranted illegal penalties and life-altering repercussions that push them further into the margins. As city and county staff and officials drive these vendors out of their livelihood, the ripple effects are seen in increased poverty and an unjust criminal system that punishes rather than helps.

We urge the Oakland City Council , the Oakland Mayor and her Administration, and Alameda County Board of Supervisors to halt these raids at once and work with the newly formed Oakland Street Vendors Collective to seek humane alternatives that reflect compassion and respect for all community members. Measures should be taken to regulate street vending fairly, support street vendors to be able to achieve obtaining any paperwork they need to operate, with input directly from the vendors that represent our community. All decisions made about street vendors must include vendor representation to establish guidelines that ensure safety and fairness, and a moratorium on such punitive actions until these new guidelines are enacted.

We call on all residents and supporters of Oakland’s rich community tapestry to stand with us in demanding an immediate stop to the crackdown on street vendors. Your support is crucial in making our voices heard and driving positive change. Sign the petition to help transform Oakland into a city that upholds its values and supports all its people, not just its most privileged. Protect our street vendors!