Occupy San Diego pushes vendors to return

[nadinbrzezinski]

In response to the departure of both a coffee and hot dog vendor from the Civic Center plaza, who claim to have been driven out by lewd behavior and perceived intimidation, Occupy San Diego published a press release on November 4 stating:

“Occupy San Diego openly expresses its support for Centre City Coffee and Brooklyn Dogs, the family-owned vendor carts operating at the Civic Center, and suggests that they reopen to set new sales records with hundreds of customers ready to purchase their products. Occupy San Diego suggests that instead of closing, these carts should extend their hours of operation to service the many participants at the Civic Center Plaza after regular business hours.

"We are led to believe that these businesses are having hard times because of the public events in the square. But the coffee cart complained of rampant homelessness and dangerous conditions in an April 22, 2008 letter to City Beat (attached below), long before Occupy San Diego was on the scene. The fact that there are now dozens and sometimes hundreds or thousands of people in the square – potential customers for these businesses – seems to be missed in the rush to blame Occupy San Diego for any challenges these business may face. A nearby business – Downtown Johnny Browns – reports that their business is up at least 60%. The normally vacant square is filled, around the clock, with people with money jingling in their pockets.

"Occupy San Diego will not be protesting or taking any role in the event being sponsored by Mr. DeMaio on Nov 7.

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/news-ticker/2011/nov/05/occupy-san-diego-pushes-vendors-to-return/#.TrVBJb1YekE.twitter