Organizing for Food Vending Rights: The Case of Union Pochteca in Phoenix, Arizona

Fifteen years ago, Phoenix city ordinances sought to remove Mexican food from city sidewalks and eliminate the congregation of Mexican and Latina/o families in public space. Through narrative analysis of interviews with food... [ view full abstract ]

Fifteen years ago, Phoenix city ordinances sought to remove Mexican food from city sidewalks and eliminate the congregation of Mexican and Latina/o families in public space. Through narrative analysis of interviews with food truck, hot dog vendors and community organizers, I illustrate how these enterprises are crucial to immigrants’ struggles. Union Pochteca serves as another example of how immigrant workers are organizing and collaborating to address workers rights in increasingly hostile anti-immigrant environments.