Street vendors in Newark scored a victory when they were allowed to return to the streets to work, thanks to the authorities' permission to renew their licenses by eliminating some requirements that for a large majority were impossible to achieve.

Thanks to an article in El Diario/La Prensa and intervention by the publication with the authorities in the middle of April, when it announced that more than 150 street vendors' livelihoods were at risk because of a new city regulation, which demanded proof of legal residence in the country in order to renew licenses, today the workers have gone back to the streets under full protection of the law.

In order to renew the license, which is valid for one year and can only be renewed during the month of April, the new requirements for this year included having to show either proof of legal residence, a permit to work in the United States, a social security card, or a driver's license. Many workers remained literally unemployed because they couldn't meet these requirements.

After being consulted by El Diario/La Prensa, various city officials convened to discuss the issue and find a solution. Deputy Mayor Margarita Muñiz and Council Members Luis Quintana, Aníbal Ramos and Carlos González took part in the meeting, as well as community members from the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN).

Councilmember Quintana announced that a resolution was approved yesterday to extend the deadline to renew licenses until May 29th.

"It's like being reborn, because until a short time ago we had no hope whatsoever of obtaining a license and they were preventing us from continuing to support our families," Bolívar Valdez, who sells popsicles and is one of those affected by the resolution, expressed happily. 

Yesterday, 45 street vendors assembled in front of the police station and with the help of Leila Flores and Damaris Rostran, representatives of ACORN, they submitted their applications.

Tyron Shools, president of the New Jersey chapter of ACORN, said, "Today we are celebrating a great victory for these vendors because a solution was reached to fix the situation. Now we will continue to help those who want to get licenses for the first time."

ACORN also announced the formation of the Association of Newark Street Vendors, which will help these workers to better organize.