This morning just after 10 multiple vendors were moved from the street across from the Michael Finnegan Market. Police officers were called on them and the cops told them that they couldn't sell their produce anymore. According to the vendors, they have not been able to get a space inside the market and that's why they set up across the street. Today, we spoke with one of the vendors, Neri Chavez who said that he travels miles daily to sell and earn an income for his family:
Neri Chavez, Vegetable Vendor
"I sell fruits and vegetables, and I come from Mile 21 on my way to Belmopan. But now the problem is that the other market doesn't want us to come here. They only want the Mennonites to sell here, they sell wholesale, but they're always selling retail. They don't want to give us the opportunity to sell, only on Saturdays. But we can't support our families, our children who are studying, and all that, so we came this Friday and Saturday. Every time I set up on this side, they always move me. Now they told me to set up on this side, and now they're moving me again, and we don't have a place to work."
"On the other side they charged the $15 to sell there on that side no."
"Well, the solution for us is that they let us sell here for about three or four hours on Tuesdays and Fridays, at least that's something during the week, our days, that would be the solution, but there's no one to give a solution to the problem. This is my job this is how I support my family. I have three children: one is in school, another is in primary school, and the youngest is just three months old. I'm the sole provider for the family, and we would like the city council to perhaps take up the matter and allow us to continue selling, because we aren't taking anything from anyone. We're working honestly, without stealing from anyone; we're just workers trying to support our families."
