New York, NY —

The NYPD issued citations today against seven street vendors operating in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Many of the vendors are disabled veterans who claim the right to operate freely in areas where others can't. Sean Basinski, director of the Street Vendor Project at the Urban Justice Center, says he's disappointed but not surprised that the NYPD targeted the vendors.

Basinski: While it's offensive to give any street vendor a $1,000 ticket, it's especially offensive to do so to veterans who were disabled in the service of our country.

The NYPD says it doesn't object to the vendors' right to operate - but that vendors can expect citations if they don't comply with requirements to keep carts within 18 inches from the curb.