Metro cover story for the New York Times on Plaza Tonatiuh, a people-powered vendors market in Sunset Park that focuses on empowering the local and immigrant communities of Sunset Park, founded in 2021 as a response to the pandemic. In April 2023, the Parks department and NYPD began shutting it down and running people out. The Plaza is the the latest on the receiving end of the crackdown of small vendor businesses. Street vendors - whether in a plaza, pushing a cart going down the street, or on the subway - are a New York staple. Many vendors are immigrants, many mothers. This story goes into their fight for space, the complicated local politics and, above all, the beauty and power of community.
Ms. Cortes, with her $2,000 in unpaid bills, tried to remain optimistic. For two years, she and the other vendors had managed to survive the turmoil caused by the pandemic. Now, if they returned to the market that had sustained them, they risked arrest or confrontation. Yet they needed the income to stay afloat.
“We’re going to go back to selling,” she said. “God willing.”
- written by John Leland
New York Times, Metro Section Tearsheet
SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN - APRIL 16, 2023. Leo speaks during the Plaza Tonatiuh demonstration. He is explaining the recent events with police, as well as Plaza’s hopes and intentions to gain legality for vendors to be able to set up on Sundays. He mentioned that this was two years of work, and they weren’t going to give up.
SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN - APRIL 16, 2023. Mart poses for an anonymous portrait during the Plaza Tonatiuh demonstration. Originally from Ecuador, she has lived in New York for over twenty years. During the week, she cleans homes part-time, but sells house products with her husband at the Plaza every week. She and her husband relied on that income to get by.
SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN - APRIL 16, 2023. Genaro poses for an anonymous portrait as people begin to gather for the Plaza Tonatiuh demonstration. Genaro is a resident of Sunset Park, hearing about Plaza from his friends. He wanted to buy some good food and meet people, he said, and hopes the plaza will be up and running again soon.
SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN - APRIL 16, 2023. Elsa* (pseudonym) sells ice cream across the street from Sunset Park. Originally from Ecuador, she is a resident of Sunset Park and cleans houses during the week. She used to sell at Plaza Tonatiuh every Sunday, but has since moved to walking the streets to avoid police confrontation. She is scared to enter the park right now, as a vendor or supporter, but hopes that the Plaza can return soon.
SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN - APRIL 16, 2023. A Plaza Tonatiuh organizer holds a clipboard with hand-outs on the efforts of the Plaza, prepared in many different languages. This week, organizers asked for signatures of support to prove that the local community is in favor of the Plaza. Last week, during their Easter gathering, the police shut down the event, leading to physical confrontation. Witnesses say that Plaza participants were not vending in the park, but donating their food to those in attendance.
SUNSET PARK, NEW YORK, US - APRIL 30, 2023 Bows sit on a vendor table on Sunday afternoon. Mexicanos Unidos rents a space in Sunset Park for Plaza events, as the Plaza Tonatiuh market is not currently active, since the police shut down Easter Sunday.
SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN - APRIL 16, 2023. Kids play with bubbles in the entrance to the playground of Sunset Park. The park was full of families, Tai Chi and dancing groups. Today, the police were present making rounds throughout the park, watching over the demonstration but there was no confrontation with organizers or park-goers.
SUNSET PARK, NEW YORK, US - APRIL 30, 2023 Two teens dance cumbia on Sunday afternoon during the Plaza event. The Plaza Tonatiuh theme is “International Kids Day” with face painting activities, games and prizes, as well as dancing.
SUNSET PARK, NEW YORK, US - APRIL 30, 2023 Eugenia poses for a portrait at the Plaza event on Sunday evening. Eugenia sells horchata through Plaza Tonatiuh.
SUNSET PARK, NEW YORK, US - APRIL 30, 2023 Three sisters - Evelyn, Maleny and Nayeli - pose for a portrait at the Plaza event on Sunday evening. Evelyn (far left) is a vendor, selling shrimp cocktails and ceviche dishes. Their mother is also a vendor through Plaza Tonatiuh.
SUNSET PARK, NEW YORK, US - MAY 7, 2023 Vendors sell food at the indoor Plaza location on Sunday evening in Sunset Park. Plaza Tonatiuh was moved indoors due to rain, to a space that Mexicanos Unidos rents and has been using more frequently for Plaza-related events, since the heightened police presence in the park.
SUNSET PARK, NEW YORK, US - MAY 7, 2023 Ana shows a traditional Mexican necklace she is wearing at the indoor Plaza location on Sunday evening in Sunset Park. Plaza Tonatiuh was moved indoors due to rain, to a space that Mexicanos Unidos rents and has been using more frequently for Plaza-related events, since the heightened police presence in the park.
SUNSET PARK, NEW YORK, US - MAY 7, 2023 Mariachis surprised Sunday’s plaza event for the birthday celebration of Aide, Mexicanos Unidos organizer. Plaza Tonatiuh was moved indoors due to rain, to a space that Mexicanos Unidos rents and has been using more frequently for Plaza-related events, since the heightened police presence in the park.
SUNSET PARK, NEW YORK, US - MAY 7, 2023 Mariachis surprised Sunday’s plaza event for the birthday celebration of Aide, Mexicanos Unidos organizer. Plaza Tonatiuh was moved indoors due to rain, to a space that Mexicanos Unidos rents and has been using more frequently for Plaza-related events, since the heightened police presence in the park.
New York Times, Metro Section Tearsheet