In Los Angeles, an elote—or roasted corn—street vendor has become a folk hero in the ongoing campaign to “Legalize Street Vending” for some 50,000 workers in the area, a large majority of whom are Latinos and/or immigrants. Benjamín Ramírez filmed himself being attacked by a man who knocked over his cart after telling him to move off the sidewalk. When Ramírez stood his ground, telling the man that there was room for him to walk, the man knocked the cart over, spilling utensils, coolers and corn. The video went viral at the end of July. Advocates say because the street vending industry is not fully regularized, some vendors are afraid to contact police after being physically attacked. Orange County Weekly columnist Gustavo Arellano featured Ramírez as “the EveryHombre” and also lauded him for neutralizing his assailant with chili pepper. Cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz is selling “Elote Justice” prints and donating half of the proceeds to Benjamín. A GoFundMe campaign is also underway for Ramírez and other eloteros who have had their carts damaged in attacks.
Attack on L.A. Elote Seller Spurs Campaign for the City’s 50,000 Street Vendors
HeadlineAug 04, 2017