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