"Whose Streets? OUR Streets!" Chinatown street vendors protest police harassment under Giuliani

"Whose Streets? OUR Streets!" Chinatown street vendors protest police harassment under Giuliani

Image showing a street demonstration. People in the front hold a large yellow banner that reads "Whose Streets? OUR Streets!" in red and "Chinatown Street Vendors Assoc." in blue. Other demonstrators hold signs that read "Arrest Giuliani" and "Mr. MAYOR give NYPD a raise of pay! Give the VENDORS a break! We are in need to make a living."

Under Mayor Giuliani's "Quality of Life" program, Chinatown street vendors faced increased harassment and criminalization. Police and private investigators would arrest, assault, and harass vendors as well as confiscate their merchandise and money without warrants.

circa 1999

Julia Gatenio, Serena Yang

Copyright is held by CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities.

photograph

CAAAV_1481