On the streets of Boyle Heights and downtown Los Angeles, sidewalk vendors have flourished. Some sell toys out of grocery baskets, others sell clothing from improvised kiosks, and many sell ice cream, fruit or tamales from pushcarts. Trouble is, street sales are illegal in most parts of the city, so the food vendors are now pushing more than their carts – they want the City Council to protect their businesses. Here are images taken last week illustrating the life of sidewalk salespeople.