With their upcoming sold-out shows coming up later this week, Maná is throwing their support behind Los Angeles-based street vendors. Today (Nov. 20), the legendary Mexican rock group revealed that they will be donating to causes that help out street vendors.
Maná will be making a donation to the LA Street Vendor Campaign (LASVC) and the Community Power Collective (CPC). LASVC is a group of street vendors, community-based organizations, elected officials, and activists advocating for the rights and inclusion of street vendors. CPC fights for economic justice for low-income workers and tenants in Boyle Heights and the greater L.A. region.
In 2018, the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act was passed to legalize street vending throughout the state. According to L.A. County’s Department of Public Works, only 204 out of 10,000 vendors in Los Angeles have received permits to sell food and goods on the street through that law. However, food street vendors still face harassment today.
“Everywhere we go, Maná will continue to support our people and their dreams,” Fher Olvera, lead singer of Maná, shared in a statement. “We are proud to support Los Angeles food vendors by helping with the development of these carts that we hope will allow them to work, share our culture and support their families with dignity and without fear of being criminalized.”
Maná’s donation will go towards purchasing L.A. County’s Department of Public Works-approved street vendor carts. CPC is leading the partnership with LASVC to develop carts that will be up to L.A. County code for street vendors to acquire. Maná will also be donating to both organizations from proceeds through screen print sales. The band teamed up with L.A.-based artist and activist Ernesto Yerena to release a limited edition screen print featuring their image that will be available on Hecho Con Ganas website.
Maná recently scored another No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart. The band reached the summit of the chart thanks to the new version of their classic “Amor Clandestino” featuring Mexican singer-songwriter Eden Muñoz.
This weekend, Maná will perform their 15th and 16th sold-out concerts on their México Lindo y Querido Tour at the Forum in Inglewood, CA. The shows will be taking place on Nov. 25 and 26.