Chicago Cyclists Are Buying Out Tamale Carts To Keep Vendors Home And Safe From ICE

Chicago cyclists are responding to heightened ICE enforcement by organizing a Street Vendor Bike Tour to support local tamale vendors. The event will start Saturday at Buckingham Fountain, with participants purchasing food from vendors throughout Pilsen and Little Village. This initiative allows vendors to earn income while avoiding the risks associated with ICE patrols. Community organizer Rick Rosales notes that the effort aims to create connections by sharing vendors' stories. The initiative has evolved from a previous effort where funds were collected to buy out vendors in vulnerable neighborhoods.

The Street Vendors Association of Chicago reports that many vendors have seen a decline in sales and are living in fear due to recent detentions. Maria Orozco, a representative of the association, shares her family's personal struggles as vendors. The tour seeks to highlight the community's appreciation for street vendors and their contributions to local culture.