As part of Art Rise/WE RISE initiative, Self Help Graphics & Art presents Vendedores en Acción (Vendors in Action or VEA), a short documentary directed by Alvaro Parra, following six street vendors and also leaders of the VEA coalition. The film highlights the long-term mental and emotional implications caused by their line of work, their fight to legalize street vending, and economic insecurity amplified by COVID-19.

The documentary features the Grammy Award-winning band Quetzal with VEA members singing VEA's anthem in chorus, whose lyrics were conceived through a collaborative process facilitated by Quetzal Flores. The filmmaking experience allowed the six vendors to briefly put aside their daily routine and participate in a creative, collective, and empowering process.

This project is supported in part by the California Arts Council.

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