Below are excerpts from a letter dated October 7, 1995 by Larry Miller, President of the Black Vendors Association in Atlanta to Marvin Arrington, President of the Atlanta City Council. For more information contact Larry Miller or Earnest Marshall, Black Vendors Association of Atlanta, 1206 McPherson Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30316. (404) 523-0707.
"The vast majority of licensed street vendors are black entrepreneurs (African American or foreign born). Many vendors are physically disabled. All of these vendors are legitimate businessmen struggling to compete. The City has routinely treated street vending as a second class business. Over the years, many vendors have been subject to harassment, intimidation and abuse. In February 1995, the City took a major step in the wrong direction. A concert promoter was somehow appointed as the "god" of street vending. The only apparent objective of this appointment is to maximize the City's revenues during the Olympic Games.
This course of action has frightening implications for street vendors. The proposed modifications for the vending industry during the Olympic year are blatantly unfair, irresponsible and illegal. Nearly 1,200 Olympic vending spots are to be leased at exorbitant prices. Opportunistic new vendors at these prime locations will substantially dilute the street vending profits for local vendors. Local vending fees will be six times higher during the Olympic year. Does the City intend to multiply the business fees of other retail merchants? Of course not; only the street vendors are regarded as powerless and subject to the economic whims of municipal government.
The vending "god" wants to control the goods and merchandise sold at the various vending locations. He wants to create and rent advertising space on vending carts without any compensation to the vendors. Of course, any other retail merchant could negotiate for the value of his advertising space.
You are hearby advised that the City cannot and should not initiate policies which damage the interests of a particular group or class of its merchants. The city cannot trample the civil and economic rights of selected citizens for the benefit of the municipal treasury. The street vendors anticipate a bitter fight with ACOG (Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games). However, they have been searching for other avenues to resolve this conflict with the City. They want to work with the City to mutually benefit from the Olympic experience.
You should regard this letter as a formal ante litem notice of the Black Vendor Association's claims against the City and a demand for relief. However, I hope that you will also regard it as an opportunity to rectify an injustice and develop a positive relationship with some of your constituents. "
Electronic Activist Georgia - Email addresses