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Photo by: Amital Issacs
Some neighborhood vendors complain that the protest has driven away regular customers, while the newcomers tend to eat donated food. But most shopkeepers defend the Zuccotti crowd’s right to demonstrate.
Aly Amin has been selling coffee and pastries on Wall Street since 1991. Since the protesters arrived at Zuccotti Park, they’ve been coming to him for some bare necessities they need, but that cost him. Faced with protesters who routinely ask him for hot water in the mornings, Amin doesn’t have the heart to say no. Blame it on his roots in good Middle Eastern hospitality.
Despite the exponential influx of people to the area around Zuccotti Park and their 24/7 presence, local food vendors have seen their customers dwindle.
