Council Member Joann Ariola has defended her decision to support a vote overriding Mayor Eric Adams’ veto of legislation decriminalizing illegal street vending amid fierce criticism from City Hall, describing her vote as a “protest” against what she described as previous mayoral inaction on the issue.
Ariola had initially voted against Intro 47-B, sponsored by Council Member Shekar Krishnan, which removes all misdemeanor criminal penalties for general vendors and mobile food vendors. Instead, who operate without a license could be subject to a violation and a fine or a civil penalty. Vendors who violate any other street vending laws would be subject to a civil penalty.
