Rally supports woman handcuffed for selling churros at Broadway Junction

Transit riders, street vendors and elected officials rallied Monday against the MTA and Gov. Andrew Cuomo in response to a viral video showing a woman being handcuffed for selling churros in the subway.

News 12 Staff

Nov 11, 2019, 9:45 PM

Updated 1,633 days ago

Share:

Transit riders, street vendors and elected officials rallied Monday against the MTA and Gov. Andrew Cuomo in response to a viral video showing a woman being handcuffed for selling churros in the subway.
The video shows the woman being handcuffed at Broadway Junction for selling churros on Friday without a license. Police say the woman, now identified as Elsa, was issued a summons and her churro cart was taken as evidence. They also say the woman has been issued 10 summonses in the last five months for unlicensed vending at the same subway station.
Police say Elsa was uncuffed and released within minutes.
The rally was held against aggressive law enforcement toward food vendors. Elsa says she doesn't have a vending-cart license because of how much it costs to get one.
People rallying on Monday say Elsa was just trying to make a living and that the governor should help create opportunities for vendors to work without being harassed by officers.
"I feel absolutely horrible. I feel very nervous, very stressed and absolutely devastated. They took everything away from me. I left crying and broken," said Elsa.
Protesters are also speaking out against Cuomo's plan to hire 500 new MTA officers. They say that money could instead be used to improve bus and subway service.
The MTA's rules of conduct prohibit vendors from selling or distributing food and goods. News 12 reached out to the MTA in response to Monday's rally, but the agency declined to comment.
The woman who took the video of Elsa being handcuffed says she wants to help Elsa get her cart back. She says she wants to start a GoFundMe to help pay any fines that she was given.


More from News 12
1:29
Elmsford School District addresses elimination of DEI director role

Elmsford School District addresses elimination of DEI director role

2:01
Summer feeling with highs in the 80s tomorrow in the Hudson Valley

Summer feeling with highs in the 80s tomorrow in the Hudson Valley

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

1:22
Pro-Palestinian protests make their way to SUNY New Paltz campus

Pro-Palestinian protests make their way to SUNY New Paltz campus

0:20
Guy Fieri to host Cinco de Mayo bottle signing event in Yonkers

Guy Fieri to host Cinco de Mayo bottle signing event in Yonkers

0:27
White Plains and Northern Westchester Hospitals given 'A' grades for patient safety

White Plains and Northern Westchester Hospitals given 'A' grades for patient safety

1:33
SUNY officials visit Yonkers to encourage high schoolers to complete financial aid applications

SUNY officials visit Yonkers to encourage high schoolers to complete financial aid applications

Poughkeepsie Police investigate shootings of two teens, shooter at large

Poughkeepsie Police investigate shootings of two teens, shooter at large

0:35
 Woman faces charges in assault incident at Yonkers Montessori Academy

Woman faces charges in assault incident at Yonkers Montessori Academy

1:48
Newburgh charity founder faces federal charges, accused of falsely claiming to be a Purple Heart recipient and stealing from the VA

Newburgh charity founder faces federal charges, accused of falsely claiming to be a Purple Heart recipient and stealing from the VA

0:30
Rockland County's American Eel Project underway

Rockland County's American Eel Project underway

0:41
Sen. Gillibrand announces passage of new bill to fight fentanyl crisis

Sen. Gillibrand announces passage of new bill to fight fentanyl crisis

0:53
Health care workers picket outside Phelps Hospital demanding better conditions

Health care workers picket outside Phelps Hospital demanding better conditions

0:50
Westchester county executive announces $3 million allocated to build affordable housing in Mamaroneck

Westchester county executive announces $3 million allocated to build affordable housing in Mamaroneck

0:33
Changes to recreational striped bass fishing regulations in the Hudson River

Changes to recreational striped bass fishing regulations in the Hudson River

0:39
DEC: Bloomingburg taking ‘corrective action’ to fix major sewage leak into Shawangunk Kill

DEC: Bloomingburg taking ‘corrective action’ to fix major sewage leak into Shawangunk Kill

0:32
Suspect arrested in fatal shooting at unlicensed cannabis store in Mount Vernon

Suspect arrested in fatal shooting at unlicensed cannabis store in Mount Vernon

0:20
Arrest made in Spring Valley stabbing case

Arrest made in Spring Valley stabbing case

0:31
Putnam County man killed in crash following pursuit

Putnam County man killed in crash following pursuit

0:51
Westchester County allocates $3 million for affordable housing in Mamaroneck

Westchester County allocates $3 million for affordable housing in Mamaroneck