Street vendors on New York’s iconic Brooklyn Bridge will have to leave the site

The street vendors of New York’s iconic Brooklyn Bridge, including many Latinos, were surprised and dismayed this Friday by the city’s notice that they must vacate the site by January 3.

The city’s Department of Transportation (DOT) posted notices along the bridge’s fence early in the morning, in English and Spanish, informing them of the decision. which affects both licensed and unlicensed sellers.

“As of January 3, 2024, merchandise sales will not be permitted on the Brooklyn Bridge. Remove all items before January 2 at 11:59 PM. Any property left on the bridge will be removed“, is stated in the magazine about the new rule that the mayor’s administration, Eric Adams, has implemented, which calls for safety reasons.

Licensed sellers who spoke EFE They think it is unfair that everyone is being deported rather than imposing the rule on those who are not allowed to sell on the streets.

Many repeated again and again the surprise with which they received the notification, while thousands of people, some with children and others with their pets because of the commotion, tried little by little to cross the bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn, one of the points most tourism pulls.

Others stopped to buy hats, sweatshirts, stuffed animals, hot dogs, water or other souvenirs from the city. in the dozens of bleachers along the route, exacerbating heavy pedestrian congestion on the bridge, which about 34,000 people cross per day, according to DOT data.

At its widest part the bridge measures five meters, but there are areas where it is reduced to a maximum of one and a half meters, which is further reduced at the sales stands.

“I have been here for more than fifteen years, from the beginning there was no one. My children, aged 10 and 7, and my wife depend on me.said Mdrahman, from Bangladesh, who sells water, soda, pretzels and hot dogs at the entrance to the bridge in Manhattan.

The seller assured that he does not intend to “go anywhere, I have to work”, and emphasized that he is not selling illegally. “What am I going to do (without selling), living on the streets?”

Yomaira, an Ecuadorian who has eight vendor booths at the beginning of the route, on the Manhattan side, and hires war veterans to operate them, said it is a family business that helps pay for her two college-age children. and one aged 14 years.

“We were alert to what was happeningsaid the seller, who also has a permit, when referring to the DOT’s public hearing, but “today we were surprised” by the news.

Cristian, a Peruvian who sells handicrafts, seemed more resigned and commented EFE that is looking for a new space for its sales.

The vendors blamed newly arrived immigrants for the bridge congestion, which they said has been going on for a year and a half since they arrived, noting that they have opened stalls without permits and that this has reduced space in many areas . . to walk.

They reported that they also sleep under the tables where they place their merchandise.

“This bridge is one of the most important points in the city for tourists and New Yorkers, who have demanded more space to walk and bike and be safe,” he said. EFE the Commissioner of Transport, Ydanis Rodríguez, who emphasized that the expulsion is a decision based on safety.

The commissioner indicated that the bridge is a concern for the city police. “’Brooklyn Bridge“It’s a place where you can’t walk safely,” and if an emergency arises they want to make sure they can mobilize the public, he indicated.

He explained that sellers will find a link in the notification that will take them to a web page where they will be informed of other places where they can sell their merchandise. (JO)