I spent my morning cycling past Lake Merritt, but the vibe was heavy. I saw the aftermath of another 'sweep' where city staff literally threw a vendor’s equipment into a trash compactor. As someone with a sociology background, I can’t help but see this as a systemic assault on the informal economy that keeps our marginalized communities afloat.

Our local street vendors—mostly Black and Brown folks—are being criminalized for basic entrepreneurship. Last night, Anita Miralle and the Oakland Street Vendor Collective stood up at City Hall demanding a system modeled after Long Beach, focusing on support instead of property destruction. It’s heartbreaking to see the city preach about 'innovation' while crushing the actual hustle of working-class residents.

We need fee waivers and mentorship, not police-led raids. These vendors are the cultural heartbeat of Oakland. If we claim to be a progressive city, we have to stop treating our neighbors’ livelihoods like literal garbage. We have to organize and demand the city council implements a comprehensive support system immediately. Justice isn't just a policy; it's how we treat the person selling tamales on the corner.