26 May 2012, Bogota

The StreetNet International Council, meeting in Bogota, on May 26th 2012, has been informed that the Municipal Authorities in Sao Paulo Brazil have taken the drastic decision to prohibit street vending.

On Saturday, May 19, Mayor Gilberto Kassab revoked a municipal decree of 1997 that authorized street vending in Sao Paolo. Over 1000 existing licenses issued to vendors have been revoked, and vendors told to vacate the pavements. In October last year, the Municipality sent police to destroy street vendors` stalls in the central district of Sao Paolo and there have been many other recent incidents of police violence and abuse.

There are over 100,000 street vendors in Sao Paolo although the great majority are currently working without licenses.

Street vendors` organisations from all over the city are planning a mass protest on May 31st, together with other workers` organisations, human rights organisations and civil society organisations. In addition, the Public Attorney and the StreetNet partner in Brazil, the Gaspar Garcia Centre for Human Rights will file a legal suit against this decree.

StreetNet International sends its full solidarity and support to the street vendors` organisations of Sao Paolo and will work together with its partners in Brazil and with WIEGO in order to send a letter of protest to the Brazilian authorities, and other appropriate bodies.