Vendors' eviction protested

Vendors' eviction protested

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Hundreds of students from the Islamic
University of North Sumatra (UISU) protested on Tuesday against
the Medan municipality's eviction of sidewalk vendors trading
near their campus on Jl. Turi.

The students blocked off Jl. Turi and burned old tires where
the vendors once sold hot drinks and food. They demanded the
municipality allow the vendors to resume selling drinks and food
on Jl. Turi.

"Forced eviction is inhumane. They need to feed their
families," shouted Mardian, a protest coordinator, in a speech
made in the middle of tight police security.

Gaining support from students, the vendors pledged they would
again set up shop along Jl. Turi if the authorities did not
allocate them an alternative location.

Iwan Lubis, one evicted vendor said, "There's no other choice
but to continue selling food and drink there.

"That's the only thing we can do for a living." --JP