Photos: Sidewalk vendors face possible legalization

Los Angeles is in the midst of a debate about what to do with the city’s large population of sidewalk vendors. It’s a issue that touches on such issues as entrepreneurship, business fairness, and how best to use public space in the city.

There are at between 10,000 and 50,000 sidewalk vendors in Los Angeles, with many of them selling food. The vendors, who are often immigrants, go into the trade because of its relatively low startup costs. Some vendors will stick to a particular neighborhood or street while others will travel from place to place in the city. (Photo: Saul Gonzalez)