Hundreds Pack Harlem Streets To Protest Arrest Of Subway Food Vendors, Dozens Taken Into Custody
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – A protest against the recent arrests of people selling food inside subway stations was held Friday night.
About 300 people marched in the streets of Harlem; leading to dozens of arrests by police.
Several vendors have recently been charged for illegally selling churros and other items on subway platforms.
In one incident, video of a woman having her churro cart seized quickly went vorial on social media. The NYPD defended their actions, releasing a statement explaining that the woman was an unlicensed vendor who was told that she would be issued a summons and her property would be taken away if she didn't comply.
"This individual has been issued 10 summonses in the last five months for unlicensed vending at the same station. The Command has received numerous complaints regarding unlicensed vendors at Broadway Junction due to health concerns and individuals interfering with pedestrian flow," NYPD officials said.
The NYPD says 58 people were arrested during Friday's protests, mostly for disorderly conduct and blocking traffic.
The protesters were also reportedly rallying against Gov. Cuomo's plan to hire 500 more MTA police officers amid a rise in the number of subway crimes across the city.