In December, street vendors started putting ads featuring Quinn on their carts. (Credit: Street Vendor Project)
Dozens of street vendors gathered today in a show of support for Speaker Christine Quinn as the City Council voted to lower the maximum fines for vendors, who have fought for years against fines that can threaten their livelihoods.
The legislation will cut the maximum fine from $1,000 to $500 for violations of the city’s sidewalk codes. The Street Vendor Project of the Urban Justice Center said the fines have long been disproportionate “for minor infractions unrelated to health and safety, such as being inches too close to a doorway.”
Last week, Mayor Michael Bloomberg criticized Quinn for “one of the stupider” laws he’s ever heard and said he would veto the bill. SVP indicated that it expected to have the City Council’s support to override the veto.
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