CM James Supports Video Report Exposing Vendor Exploitation of Women of Color

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

March 21, 2011

Contact Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191, (646) 201-8183

COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES SUPPORTS VIDEO REPORT BY BLACK AND BROWN NEWS (BBN)- ‘NEW YORK CITY NEWSSTAND VENDORS: EXPLOITING SOME, PROTECTING OTHERS

(Brooklyn, NY) As a member of the New York City Council, and an advocate for the well-being and progress of women and girls, I stand alongside Black and Brown News in requesting the enforcement of laws to protect this segment of New York City from the exploitation of Newsstand Vendors. I am currently drafting legislation to increase penalties for offending vendors. Please watch the video for more information about this issue, as well as read the law included below.

(Original Video Report) New York City Newsstand Vendors: Exploiting Some, Protecting Others (see link below). Through the course of travels around the city by BBN, they report noticing a disturbing pattern of disparity in how New York City newsstand vendors take liberties in their display cases with the image of Black and Latino women, who model for covers of sexually provocative magazines. BNN found shopkeepers (of all backgrounds) who exploited the images of Black and Latino women, while going to great lengths to protect the image of White women on similar magazine covers. New York City newsstands are licensed by city government and they are bound to state law. According to New York Penal Code Penal Law Sections:

--245.10 Public display of offensive sexual material is defined as showing of the female genitals, pubic area or buttocks with less than a full opaque covering, or the showing of the female breast with less than a fully opaque covering of any portion thereof below the top of the nipple.

-- 245.11 And a person is guilty of public display of offensive sexual material when he with knowledge of its character and content he displays or permits to be displayed in or on any window, showcase, newsstand, display rack, wall, door, billboard, display board, viewing screen, moving picture screen, marquee or similar place, in such manner that the display is easily visible from or in any: public street, sidewalk or thoroughfare; transportation facility; or any place accessible to members of the public without fee or other limit or condition of admission such as a minimum age requirement.

Please view these links:
-- Video on You tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHnVVc-x_gw
-- New York City Newsstand Vendors: Exploiting Some, Protecting Others
http://blackandbrownnews.com/digital/2014262536_story.php

I thank you in advance for joining this important cause and sharing the message with others. We must do everything we can to protect women and girls from exploitation, specifically as we lift up all women during this March in honor of Women’s History month 2011.

-Letitia James, Member of City Council
35th District, Brooklyn


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Fruits and Vegetables are FREE for Food Stamp Users!

Save money this summer on fresh fruits and vegetables at your neighborhood farmers market!

For every $5 you spend using EBT (Food Stamps) at participating farmers markets, you will receive $2 Health Buck to spend on fruits and vegetables.

Ahorre dinero este verano comprando frutas y vegetables frescos en los mercados de su barrio!

Con cada compra de $5 con EBT (cupones de alimentos) en mercados participantes, se ofrecerá a $2 cupón de Health Buck para comprar frutas y vegetables.

Visit www.nyc.gov/healthbucks for the list of all participating farmers markets in your area.

The 2009 Farmers Market Season is July 1 to November 15, 2009.
For updated market information call 1-800-522-5006.

ATTENTION: Green Carts Application Process Open Until 10/15/09!

Anyone interested in operating one of New York City’s Green Carts can apply now! The Green Cart waiting list is now open through October 15. To help potential Green Cart vendors succeed, the NYC Health Department is hosting information sessions for anyone interested in operating a Green Cart during the following dates:

When: Thursday, 8/20; or Wednesday, 9/2
Time: 6PM-8PM
Location: 304 Hudson Street, 2nd Floor, NYC
How: Please call 646-943-1433 or email greencart@karpresources.com to reserve a seat at one of the sessions.
Llama al 646-943-1433 para apuntarse en la lista. Se habla espaňol.

Additional information about Green Carts, license and permit application instructions, frequently asked questions and resources for Green Cart vendors are available online at www.nyc.gov/greencarts or call 311.

Note: All Green Cart waiting list applications must be postmarked no later than October 15, 2009.

More on Green Carts:

What is a Green Cart?
A Green Cart is a mobile food cart that offers fresh produce in certain NYC areas. Green Carts can only sell fresh fruits and vegetables and can only operate in designated areas. To operate a Green Cart you need a valid mobile food vending license and a Green Cart permit.

What kinds of produce can a Green Cart sell?
A Green Cart can only sell raw fruits and vegetables such as whole carrots, bananas, apples and berries. Frozen or processed produce is not allowed. For food safety reasons, Green Cart operators cannot sell cut, sliced, peeled or processed fruits or vegetables. Green Cart vendors can receive free help with buying and selling fruits and vegetables. To receive free help, please call the Karp Resources Green Cart hotline at (646)943-1433.

Where can a Green Cart operate?
Each Green Cart permit allows a cart to operate in one NYC borough ONLY. Within each borough, Green Carts can operate only in certain designated areas. Go to www.nyc.gov/greencart for list of designated areas.

How many Green Cart permits are available?
A total of 500 full-term permits were made available in 2008: 175 permits for Brooklyn, 175 for the Bronx, 75 for Manhattan, 50 for Queens, and 25 for Staten Island. This year, 500 more Green Cart permits are available.

What do I need to operate a Green Cart?
You need BOTH a license and a permit to operate a Green Cart. The license is for the person and the permit is for the cart. The license is the same license you need to operate any mobile food cart. If you do not have a license, you need to get one before you can apply for a permit.

How can I get a mobile food vending license?
• Call 311 and ask for “Mobile Food Vendor License Application”.
• You must first attend a 2-day Food Protection Course for Mobile Vendors at the Health Department.
• You must register for the course in person at the Citywide Licensing Center at 42 Broadway, 5th floor, in Manhattan. The fee for this course is $56.00.
• Obtain a Certificate of Authority to Collect Sales Tax from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
• After you complete the course and obtain your tax certificate, apply for a license in person at the Licensing Center.

How Can I Apply for a Green Cart Permit?
Once you have a license, the next step is to apply to be on the Green Cart permit waiting lists. All individuals who have a valid mobile food vending license are invited to apply to be on the waiting lists (see Question 5 if you do not have a license). If you have a valid license and are already on a mobile food vending waiting list you can still apply and will get priority.

How can I get an application to be on the Green Cart waiting lists?
Beginning in August 2009, there are three ways to get a Green Cart Waiting List Application:
• Go to the Citywide Licensing Center (42 Broadway, 5th floor, in Manhattan)
• Call 311 and ask for “Green Cart Waiting List Application”.
• Visit nyc.gov/greencarts and go to “Information about how to apply”.

What is the deadline to mail the waiting list application?
Your application must be postmarked no later than October 15, 2009. You can only apply by mail.

For additional information, visit www.nyc.gov/greencarts or call 311.

A Message from Council Member James Regarding Vending

Attention:

Today, the New York City Council Committee on Consumer Affairs and the Committee on Immigration held a hearing to discuss vending-related bills before the New York City Council. Although I not a member of the Consumer Affairs Committee or the Immigration Committee, I am continuing to monitor the progress of this issue closely, with specific interest to the needs of immigrant communities who often rely heavily on vending as a way of accessing goods, and those who look to vending as a source of economic empowerment.

I recognize that vending is a vital economic and cultural lifeline in New York City. After meeting with unified street vending organizations, and corresponding with art street vendors, I have a strong understanding of the issues that street vendors face. These issues include vending laws that are often outdated and unenforceable, increasing fines, and unequal and improper regulation of a system that should encourage economic growth and empowerment. I believe that vending needs to be regulated efficiently and fairly.

There are 17 recent vending-related bills currently before the New York City Council, and today's hearing focused on seven specific bills. Of those seven bills, I have co-sponsored the following:

Int. 828, which would amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting general vendors from leaving pushcarts, stands or goods unattended;

Int. 834, which would amend the administrative code of the city of New York in relation to increasing the number of licenses for general vending.

I have also co-sponsored Proposed Int. 324A, which would increase the number of full-time vending permits to 25,000, with 5% increases in the following years. This bill differs from the above-mentioned Int. 834, which would increase the number of vending licenses for general vending 20% (from the current 853 to 1023).

I look forward to continuing discussion on how to improve the business of vending for both vendors and other residents in New York City, and will continue to support legislation that expands employment opportunities, and establishes a safe and efficient atmosphere for such business. It continues to be a great pleasure to serve the 35th Council District of the City of New York.

Letitia James