HomeMy WebLinkAboutCORRESPONDENCE - #39 Orozco, Norma
From: Nathaniel Greensides <mynci90@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2022 4:43 PM
To: eComment
Cc: Hernandez, Johnathan; Sarmiento, Vicente
Subject: Public comment - three agenda items
Items: 34, 38, 39
I am unable to attend in person, nor via zoom and so I am submitting an eComment transcribed from the audio
recording of my comment which can be found below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1 w8gOMsJUybyH-dRy2vV27neQ4TBpsPSY/view?usp=sharing
Dear City Council,
I once visited a small town in one of the states of Mexico called Guanajuato. On every street was seemingly a
store I'd already seen just one street prior: A tortilleria, a carniceria, a panaderia.
I asked"why is there so much competition? Doesn't it cause conflict?"
"El sol brilla para todos" - "the sun shines upon everyone"was the response that was given to me.
To take pride in one's own cultural background and to create something new within a different contemporary
context whether it's selling traditional food on the street from a cart or fixing up and customizing a car of one's
own, is to ensure that history and acknowledgement of the past can persist into the present and future. This is a
part of the reason I am hoping that item 34 the ceremonial street naming ordinance can be passed without
further changes tonight.
Hate crimes are defined currently as any crime motivated solely by the perceived social group or real social
group of any individual. The 2016 and 2020 national elections once again emboldened despicable rhetoric and
actions against our own hardworking neighbors, families, and friends. But here in Orange County, members of a
racist group known as the John Birch society and even known members of the KKK have advocated for and
enacted laws against the practices and customs of those who are not Caucasian even in history's recent past. My
parents generation growing up as brown teenagers in Santana in the 1980s weren't able to experience hiking in
the hills of Orange County because there was an uncomfortable chance they might not return home on account
of white supremacists. Meanwhile, the white collar crimes of redlining and predatory money lending practices
continues to remain uncriminalized and unprosecuted. Somehow, though, cruising and low riding and selling
Mexican food on the street still today sometimes is criminalized and pursued aggressively by law enforcement
(the most recent Easter Sunday being just an example).
We have the power here tonight and moving forwards to ensure that we make it 100% clear that cruising can
return as a point of Santanero pride for all and that the heloteros of Santa Ana(or any other type of street vendor
for that matter) are able to pursue justice should they ever become a victim of hate crimes again.
El sol brilla para todos. No importa su ingreso ni el color de su piel. The Sun shines upon everyone. It doesn't
matter your skin color or income.
Sincerely,
i
Nathaniel Greensides
Ward 5 resident
2
Orozco, Norma
From: Kristopher Fortin <kris@saascoalition.org>
Sent: Tuesday,July 19, 2022 2:14 PM
To: eComment
Subject: Public Comment, Item 39, Support
Hello,
My name is Kristopher Fortin and I'm the project director of Santa Ana Active Streets (SAAS), and I'm
writing_in regards to Item 39 in today's City Council Agenda. Santa Ana Active Streets is in support of Item 39,
to research and determine the implementation of a law to establish attacks on street vendors as a hate crime. In
light of recent attacks directed at street vendors, it is our duty, as a community, to support the protection of
those most vulnerable to violence and terror on our streets. SAAS advocates for the creation of a safe and
accessible environment for active transportation for all of Santa Ana, this includes street vendors. Street vendors
are an integral part of our local cultural fabric and are a reflection of those most vulnerable in Santa Ana;
working class and undocumented Latinxs. This policy is a step in the right direction in ensuring that local policy
reflects the safety needs of our community.
Thank you,
SANTA ANA ACTIVE STREETS
Kristopher Fortin
Project Director
Santa Ana Active Streets
(657) 205-7306
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Orozco, Norma
From: Maria Ceja <ceja.maria95@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2022 11:14 AM
To: eComment
Subject: item 39
Dear Mayor and City Council,
I am in support of the development of establishing attacks toward street vendors as a hate crime. Recent attacks
across Southern California have demonstrated violence toward street vendors is a very serious issue that needs
to be addressed. Most street vendors labor almost every day and all day to survive, and that should not be
disrupted due to ignorance and discriminatory violent acts. We must advocate for the safety and protection of
those most vulnerable on our streets and this is a step in the right direction.
Thank you,
Maria Ceja
i
Orozco, Norma
From: Bobbie Chavez <bobbie.c.chavez@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2022 10:12 AM
To: eComment
Subject: Hate crimes to street vendors
939
Street vendors are an integral part of the Latin community, of the entire culture of Santa Ana, California, and
the United States. These are hard working people who are making a living. They are not begging, drug addicted,
or homeless. They often times are supporting families, and just making ends meet. These attacks are not just
robberies, but are often riddled with racist and xenophobic slurs. They are accompanied with severe and violent
beatings. If this doesn't constitute hate, I don't know what does.
Colonization already stole the land from the indigenous peoples. Borders have shunned an entire nomadic race.
Forced assimilation has caused those who can trace their ancestry to these lands called America's to be creative
in order to make a living. Please, do not allow the systemic supremest attitudes to continue to shame and break
the spirit of those just trying to survive
Thank you A
i