Street vendors at the Westlake/MacArthur Metro Plaza said they faced a 'dirty eviction'

Olivia Camacho Chopin arrived at Metro’s Westlake/MacArthur Park Station, like she does every day, on Friday at 6 a.m., ready to set up the miscellaneous cleaning products and personal hygiene items she sells. To her surprise and that of many other street vendors, the Metro Plaza was gated entirely, except for the entrance for the train. Days before, there were rumors of a potential closure of the plaza for remodeling, but there was no specific date. The vendors said that no one from Metro provided an update.

About 35 vendors would set up at the plaza. The majority are elderly people or people with walkers who can't find other jobs. Most were doing business as usual just a day before, and then they faced that sudden eviction. 

"We feel disappointed. I tried to set up my merchandise around the fence, and the police didn't allow me," said 58 year-old Chopin, who is the sole breadwinner of the house. "My husband is very sick. He can't work, and I have a 14 year-old at home." 

Other vendors repeated a similar story of frustration on Friday as they gathered outside the Metro Customer Center at Vermont Metro station.

Ana Bastida, 52, commutes to work every day by public transportation. She has two children, including one with special needs, and is extremely worried about the unforeseen future. She is also the sole breadwinner at home.

"Losing a day of work is too much already," she said. "I have to pay $25 per night to leave my merchandise in storage".

Sofia Carrasco, 76, sells clothes and used items at the plaza. At around 10 p.m. Thursday, she saw the fence starting to rise. 

"I talked to them, asking how this was possible, but they kicked me out. I was here late at night because it takes me a while to close due to my age," she said. 

With or without a job, Carrasco has to pay the $1,200 monthly rent at home, plus bills and daily $25 to store her merchandise. She is worried that no one will give her a job at her age, so selling is her only option. 

"I live on my own. No one helps me," she said. "I don't want to end up in the street."

Amilcar Reyes, 65, sells cell phone accessories and said he was lucky to sell until Thursday, but on Friday, when he arrived, there was no space to sell. A fence surrounded the plaza, leaving only a space for the Metro entrance. There were also signs announcing  the remodeling, along with patrol cars and police officers guarding the area.

"I feel really bad because they just kicked us out without previous notice," he said. "That's our work, where we make money to pay our rent and our bills."

Maria Rodas, 72, was on her walker and said she is still mourning the recent passing of a co-worker who helped her set up her canopy daily. Now, she has to bear with the reality of losing her job. 

"It's very unfair. I have been in that location for many years, and now what will I do?" she wondered.

Metro: Vendors were informed previously

Metro said people were previously informed of the remodeling process online and through an organization that reached out to the vendors. 

Jose Ubaldo, spokesperson with Metro, said the plaza's remodeling started Friday but couldn't confirm how long it would take to avoid "speculations." He said the Westlake/MacArthur Park Metro Plaza station will have much-needed upgrades, such as electrical and the station's image. 

Metro is also planning to reopen with a free pilot program providing spaces for street vendors again. Old and new vendors will be welcome to apply, he said. 

This is something that the vendors worry about because they know new vendors will be given priority, said Juan Rodriguez, organizer with the Union Popular de Vendedores, which represents the vendors. 

“What they did to them was a dirty eviction. They were kicked out over night,” he said. 

Rodriguez said the organization of vendors in Westlake/MacArthur Park Metro Plaza started about eight years ago, but Metro and the city have been trying to remove them since 2020, before the pandemic. When the pandemic hit, everything came to a halt. Recently, however,, the plan resumed. He said another organization is starting a new contract with Metro and will be in charge of recruiting vendors after the remodeling is done. 

Ubaldo said that currently Metro doesn't charge vendors to sell in the plaza and doesn't have contracts with any vendors. He confirmed Metro has been doing outreach through Community Power Collective to keep the vendors informed. 

Not enough compensation

The street vendors were at the Metro Customer Center on Vermont and Wilshire waiting to receive a payment of about $1,500 as compensation for the sudden closing of their work location. Most of them said it helps, but more is needed.

"They gave me a $50 debit card now and said we have to go to CHIRLA on Tuesday to pick up the rest of the money," said Bastida, showing her debit card. “I also received a $5 Tap card. Only $5, not even a monthly pass. This is very sad."

Many vendors said the money will go straight to their rent or bills. They don't know what help they will have after. Some of them said they felt safe knowing they were not homeless, but now, with the loss of their jobs, they are one step closer to losing their homes. 

Chopin said she got the money but is still worried about where she'll get more for expenses.

"We haven't been told when are they reopening, when can we return," she said. 

Blanca Robles, 53, said she has been arrested in the past for selling her merchandise, including clothes and shoes, and she doesn't think it is fair that they are treated like criminals.

Bastida said being a street vendor is not easy, but it's a job many of them know how to do, and it pays their bills. All the vendors assured they are grateful for their job, but they are worried that once Metro Plaza reopens, they will be replaced by younger vendors with trending items. 

Vendors interested in more information on the closure can call Metro at (213) 514-0366.