Lawsuit Brought by Public Counsel on Behalf of Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice
Fontana, CA, August 12, 2025—Despite strong state laws protecting the rights of street vendors, the City of Fontana has implemented local ordinances clearly designed to drive vendors out of the city. A new lawsuit, filed by pro-bono law firm Public Counsel on behalf of the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice (ICIJ) seeks to overturn these unlawful, unconstitutional practices to protect the rights of low-income street vendors.
“California’s streets are vibrant and more alive because of street vendors, immigrant and working-class entrepreneurs who turn sidewalks into spaces of connection, culture, and opportunity,” said Javier Hernandez, Executive Director at the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice. “At the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, we have been on the ground working to end harassment and criminalization of street vendors. We have seen the harm escalate as Fontana pushes them out unlawfully, creating a crisis for families who rely on vending to survive. We are fighting back because protecting vendors means protecting our history, our local economy, and our community’s future.”
Fontana’s anti-vending ordinances require street vendors to maintain expensive multi-million dollar insurance policies—which are not required of brick-and-mortar businesses selling the same goods—as well as undergo background checks each year.
In addition to these expensive and unlawful requirements, Fontana is working with a third-party contractor that harasses vendors, often confiscating their carts and equipment, and throwing away their food and supplies. The City has made the situation even worse by making it a crime to “interfere with enforcement in any way,” punishable by up to six months imprisonment, and by setting a minimum hold of 30 days on any confiscated property. Fontana’s ordinances violate California laws, which decriminalize and legalize street vending statewide.
The City’s actions have resulted in hundreds of confiscations of food and goods, and more than 80 instances of impounded equipment, causing financial and emotional harm to dozens of street vendors. Additionally, very few vendors have been able to obtain vending licenses in the city due to its onerous and unlawful permitting requirements.
“Me da tristeza…no escuchan lo que uno dice…tiran la comida, llegan ellos haci hasta con la policía…a mi me duele mucho…” dice Angelina Matias, una vendedora. “Tiran todo lo que yo vendo. Yo gasto dinero y después voy a luchar otra vez para ir a comprar esas cosas, la comida que me están tirando.”
[“It makes me sad… they don’t listen to what we say… they throw away food, they even bring the police… It hurts me a lot…,” said Angelina Matias, a vendor. “They throw away everything I sell. I spend money, and then I have to struggle again to buy those things, the food they’re throwing away.”]
The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction preventing Fontana from enforcing the unlawful portions of its ordinances, which would allow street vendors to go back to work on city sidewalks.
“Fontana’s blatantly unlawful actions have caused dozens of vendors severe financial and emotional harm,” said Ritu Mahajan Estes, Directing Attorney of Public Counsel’s Community Development Project. “We not only want Fontana to stop, we want to send a clear message to other California cities that they cannot unlawfully restrict vending, make decisions based on racial bias, and favor certain types of businesses. We must do all we can, particularly in this political climate, to protect, encourage, and support street vendors in our communities, not alienate, punish, and drive them out.”
- Read the complaint here.
- Learn more about Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice v. City of Fontana here.
- For media inquiries, email Maria with Rise Strategy Group here.
###
About Public Counsel
Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice, as well as to amplifying the power of our clients through comprehensive legal advocacy. Founded on and strengthened by a pro bono legal service model, our staff and volunteers seek justice through direct legal services, promote healthy and resilient communities through education and outreach, and support community-led efforts to transform unjust systems through litigation and policy advocacy in and beyond Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.publiccounsel.org.
About Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice
Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice is composed of over 35 organizations that serve the immigrant community in the Inland Empire. Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice currently focuses on advocacy, changing the narrative, and capacity building. Our coalition engages in policy advocacy, community organizing and education, and rapid response to ICE and border patrol operations. We are collectively changing the narrative of the one million immigrants who live, thrive, and are a foundational part of the fabric of the IE. We are building organizational capacity through leadership development, cooperation, support networks, and shared regional strategies. Lastly, the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice provides resources such as training, technical support, and grants to coalition partners to further support their efforts and mission in the region.
