Building the solidarity economy in DC/MD/VA. Co-op support, organizing for worker power, non-extractive lending & mutual aid.
Find us on Bluesky ➡️ @ dc-bci
@DC_BCI Swamp Rose focuses on ecological landscaping & native plant sales, with a commitment to changing how workers are treated in the industry: "At Swamp Rose all of our worker-owners get the same share of the profits. We believe that labor is truly entitled to the wealth it creates."
Join us next Weds, 11/20 for our final #solidarityeconomy social hour of 2024! For co-op & union members, mutual aid-ers, and the SE curious. 6-9pm @metrobardc register for free ⬇️
https://t.co/TQZWrobGy6
So glad to see this legislation introduced! Cooperatives benefit both workers and our communities’ economic well-being, and small business conversions to coops are a key strategy!
@hectoraarzate@kcur@HarvestPM Hector Felix here. This is fab! I grew up in the St. Louis metro area and much of my fam is in MO. A friend writes for the Post Dispatch. I am so so happy for you.
Submit your comments to DC Health and the DC Council and support vendors in accessing the microenterprise home kitchen permit today! https://t.co/BBR9phcO2N 4/4
But DC Health missed key deadlines to create this permit, and their new proposed rules continue to place an undue burden on street vendors as compared to other food businesses, including requiring 4x more inspections than restaurants receive on average! 3/4
We join 95 orgs, led by @MuslimsForJF, @pal_legal, @AfghansTomorrow,@hearttogrow,@ccr, alongside 95 orgs & others in demanding the WH center community demands calling for government accountability, justice, freedom, & solidarity in any strategy to counter Islamophobia.
But DC bureaucracy still has put up so many barriers to getting a license, from not publishing the requirements for food vendors to cook from home to intimidating vendors selling on the street. Vendors are making progress — is @MayorBowser?
Over the pst year DC street vendors have been working to get licenses: investing in new equipment with BCI’s license fund & taking food manager certification courses!
On the 1yr anniversary of DC decriminalizing street vending, DC’s Dept of Health gave out cease and desist notices to vendors.
DC Health still hasn't created the pathway for food vendors to get their permits — if @_DCHealth won't follow the law, how can vendors?
#decrimvending
Exactly one year ago, DC Street Vendors celebrated the passage of the Street Vendor Advancement Act, which decriminalized vending without a license!
However, despite the new laws being in effect, vendors are STILL experiencing harassment from the police and other agencies. 🧵
“Now the Dept of Health is going to set us back decades,” says Ana Lemus, a vendor. “If I have to pay this fine, there is no way I will be able to pay the rent or take care of my family. The Department of Health is literally taking the food out of my children’s mouths.” 10/