Atlanta’s street vendors protested outside and inside Atlanta City Hall on Monday afternoon to encourage the City Council to end a ban on vending on public property. A contingent of protestors holding signs were outside, while a stream of vendors and their supporters spoke during public comment at the council meeting.
According to our affiliate CBS Atlanta, the Atlanta Vendors Association hosted a luncheon on Monday to garner public support and encouraged guests to follow them to City Hall for the rally and protest. The city would like a more uniformed way of vending by using green stationary vendor stands. But, street vendors say the fees are too high, leaving dozens of vendors and their employees out of work.
The City Council took no action on street vending today, and there is pending litigation against the city over the issue. A spokesperson from Mayor Kasim Reed’s office said the city is crafting a new vending program.