Beautifully said and perfectly captured. I completely agree and my comment below shares a very similar sentiment. It’s refreshing to see that people with genuine compassion and perspective still exist. Some of these other comments saying things like “we voted for this” or “glad justice is being served” sound so out of touch. It’s the kind of mindset that comes from never having faced real struggle. I would love for some of these people to spend just two weeks in Africa or any developing country with limited resources and no head start in life. Americans can be so unaware of what is really happening beyond our borders. There is a selfishness and lack of empathy that is hard to ignore. And I say that as an American who has actually traveled and seen reality, not just the propaganda shown on TV. When you witness how people live and survive day to day, it changes you. It makes you want to help others regardless of their paperwork or status in a land that was never truly ours to begin with. God gave this world to be shared, not to be divided. — NYC Realist on Nine arrested after ICE raids counterfeit vendors

I find this article really disappointing. It’s crazy how right after that viral video where someone was being filmed without their permission, ICE suddenly shows up on Canal Street going after a specific group of people. The timing and focus on one demographic don’t sit right. The whole piece feels biased. They keep tying it to the Biden administration like immigrants only started coming here recently. People have been coming into this country under every president, even under Trump, but nobody talks about that because there’s too much big money tied to it. At the end of the day, these folks are just trying to survive. America makes it almost impossible for them to get documents or steady work, and then turns around and criminalizes them for doing what they have to do. And let’s be real. Everybody acting brand new about the African sellers on Canal Street like this is something new. Asian sellers been out there for decades, they’re the ones who made that whole hustle what it is. Nobody said a word back then because they blended in and got a pass. It’s just wild how quick people are to judge when it’s a different face behind the table. And I hate how people in the comments are glorifying Donald Trump like he ever cared about people struggling to make ends meet. — NYC Realist on Nine arrested after ICE raids counterfeit vendors

For about a decade the illegal vendors have made life on Lispenard miserable. They frequently block the sidewalk so we have to walk in the street to get to Broadway. At the end of the day they leave half eaten food containers all over which look disgusting and attract rats. They monopolize the street parking with their supply vans. They use the street as a toilet finding semi-privacy behind a planter or construction site. Every morning our super sweeps up feces and Gatorade bottles full of urine. When I confront them in flagrante they all say, "there's no other place to go" which is BS. Residents have made hundreds of 311 calls with no response. We have had petitions and meetings with Chris Marte who acts sympathetic but never did anything. We have had meetings with 1st Precint officers periodically who explained that the mayhem on our block is a positive choice made by our City's leaders. The cops sometimes confiscate their contraband only to find them back at it the next day. They don't arrest them because the Mayor, City Council and Alvin Bragg would refuse to prosecute them and instead demand their immediate release. Our elected leaders want the illegal vendors there. They have chosen chaos in order to promote their political agenda of equity and open borders. As much as the locals hate the vendors they continue to support Democratic politicians who tolerate this behavior. I don't know of a single Trump supporter in our neighborhood although if there is one they would stay incognito to avoid open hostility. Since the ICE raid everyone on the block is celebrating the new found quiet and cleanliness but I have yet to encounter a single person who gives credit to whom it's due - Donald J. Trump! — lowrider on Nine arrested after ICE raids counterfeit vendors

Hi - is the block party happening this year? — Ruben on What’s doing for Halloween

I remember in the 1970s illegal vendors selling fake designer bags and watches laid out on blankets all over the city. There would be someone looking out for the cops and you knew when they saw the cops because in seconds, they'd gather their stuff up and run. But they'd be back again on the same block soon after the cops left. They're also in Times Square. — Sherri Rosen on Illegal vending on Canal Street: “It’s a constant churn.”

God bless her! She’s been a wonderful force for good in our state and it’s good that she’s opening up space for the next generation. That’s proper stewardship. I will miss her on my annual lobby visits for education of course but this is absolutely sending the right message. Democracy isn’t about holding on to a position. It’s about trusting the people. — John Gallagher on Assemblywoman Deborah Glick will not seek reelection

We love you Madeline...forza!! — Franklin Foodie on Duane Park Patisserie is back open

I stopped by the other day, it is a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. — mary amsterdam on New Kid on the Block: Words on Warren

Incredible news for the neighborhood!! Looks lovely, can't wait to stop by. — Amanda on New Kid on the Block: Words on Warren

See my comment above. Decriminalization is a feature, not a bug. — James Bogardus on Illegal vending on Canal Street: “It’s a constant churn.”

There's also a lot of activity on the corner of Hudson & Ericsson in the old Little Gym place. Anyone know what's going in there? I checked but there are no permits posted anywhere on the doors. — Alice on Is work underway at Jin Market?

I'm confused. The NYPD and Department of Sanitation acknowledge this is a revolving door. Give a violation or make a minor arrest and the vendor is back on the street within a few hours. So it sounds like it is a legislation issue - is that correct? Is there anything being done to correct this so that there are harsher punishments for selling counterfeit items and drugs on a sidewalk? Did they bring this up at the meeting? — Randy on Illegal vending on Canal Street: “It’s a constant churn.”

How can the Dept of Health shut down the patisserie if it was the Dept of Ag who had jurisdiction? Kudos to Madeline and her business for dealing with this insanity! — O on Duane Park Patisserie is back open

This is similar to the horrendous drug issue we have in this country……only way to solve this problem is by rooting out the demand side of this equation… sadly we have to change the laws to make it illegal to buy fake/unlicensed goods: a HUGE fine & arrest. Then start arresting and ticketing those that buy and splash it on the news. Demand will decrease. — Francesco on Illegal vending on Canal Street: “It’s a constant churn.”

Yay! Another pizza joint destined to fail on the block! Hope Jay has some deep pockets! — C on Seen & Heard: Slice shop for Chambers

With the exception of three of the men, their only crime seems to be being here illegally. Risking their lives running from third world countries to ours for a better life. Who knows? Maybe they'll be happy to leave this country that is quickly becoming a banana republic. — Gwen on Nine arrested after ICE raids counterfeit vendors

i voted for this. more please. — Thomas on Nine arrested after ICE raids counterfeit vendors

Hi Pam thanks for the succinct explanation. somewhere recently, i commented that small biz owners wear all the hats .Small Biz owners don't have the layers of med/lg corps and chains. sometimes when you are juggling all those hats one falls down - in my case i should have been more om top of NYS when my permit renewal didn't arrive in august.- and then there is the issue of the revenue numbers: Neither department( NYS or NYC) had any protocol for confirming the revenue! Anyway- I am back open, and grateful to be open and grateful for all the neighborhood support. not commenting here on the $30 minimum wage proposal- that's another issue! — madeline c lanciani on Duane Park Patisserie is back open

"Many of these people overstayed visas. Not a crime, a civil offense. " LOL what a joke...people are actually defending these criminals remaining on our streets but vilifying the men and women of Federal Law enforcement who put their lives at risk every day to help save us from this onslaught. “Some of their rap sheets included robbery, burglary, domestic violence, assaulting law enforcement, counterfeiting, drug trafficking, drug possession, and forgery,” many under final order of removal. Finally some order and justice....this is what I, and many others, voted for. Let's see what all you apologists get when you vote for Mamdani. — Marc on Nine arrested after ICE raids counterfeit vendors

Thank you, Peter, and all our neighbors who believe in a free press. This is reposted ICE propaganda. — Alexandra Neil on Nine arrested after ICE raids counterfeit vendors

Of course it wasnt random. They targeted 9 known criminals. If was random, why only arrest 9 when the streets are filled w illegal vendors. — Mark on Nine arrested after ICE raids counterfeit vendors

A family house would be great and charming .. there are a lot of eating places and not even so good . — Fra on The Smith & Mills and Yves building has sold

lol - govt be like, “NMFP…you need to talk to…” We all know people / departments like this at work - these types of companies go bankrupt. — Leonard Church on Illegal vending on Canal Street: “It’s a constant churn.”

Worth reading about situation in other parts of NYC such as Queens and AMNY political discussion. https://qns.com/2025/10/myrtle-wyckoff-plaza-overcrowd-illegal-street-vendors/ https://www.amny.com/politics/policing-policy-push-fair-street-vending-nyc/ — Lisa on Illegal vending on Canal Street: “It’s a constant churn.”

Don’t worry folks, Mamdani will clean it up! — Hudson White on Nine arrested after ICE raids counterfeit vendors