Protest causes 5-hour gridlock
( 2003-11-06 17:56) (China Daily)
Dozens of vendors evicted from Zhuguang Market blocked nearby roads in
protest, causing a serious traffic jam that lasted from 8 am to 1 pm on Tuesday,
reports New Express News.
More than 50 police officers were dispatched to maintain order and divert
traffic. The 24-year-old indoor market needs to be renovated to eliminate
sanitation and fire safety problems.
Vendors had been ordered to move out before November 1, when most leases
expired. But some were unhappy with the short notice, which was posted by the
market management office on October 27.
"What am I supposed to do with the products I've already ordered? Not to
mention the penalty money I'll have to pay to suppliers," said an angry vendor.
The vendors finally started to disperse after an hour-long negotiation with
the government, which is allowing vendors to do business inside the market for
the time being and promises to make arrangements for them to move to other
markets.
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