LA vendors fight harassment

LOS ANGELES--More than 50 people protested at the MacArthur Park metro stop on February 10 against the police harassment of street vendor Andres Laynes. Laynes was arrested two days before for the "heinous crime" of selling T-shirts.

During the arrest, excessive force was used--including throwing an already compliant Laynes to the ground in the middle of the street. Laynes' arm was twisted in the process, and still ached several days later. Over a dozen cops are alleged to have been involved in the arrest, and Laynes says he even saw a police helicopter hover overhead.

"They treated me like a criminal, like a murderer. All I had was a cell phone, keys and $45," Laynes said in an interview, explaining that he wasn't armed.

Laynes was fined $3,000 and must appear in court on March 2. He has already paid $1,500 of his fine.

The harsh treatment of Laynes is the final straw for many vendors who sell near MacArthur Park. Laynes says he's heard stories of police taking money from vendors, but then never filing a report. Vendors therefore are unable to claim their earnings.

Many vendors are undocumented immigrants whose only source of income is selling goods from street carts. Those at Thursday's rally included supporters of immigrant rights, as well as street vendors.

The arrest occurred just blocks from the scene of the police shooting of Manuel Jamines Xum, whose family is suing the city and police department for wrongful death. Also, the timing of the harassment--less than a month after a harassed fruit vendor set himself on fire in Tunisia--provided yet more motivation for protest.