Street vendors face off with riot police

RIOT POLICE were called to  Central Avenue  in Calidonia on Monday May 23,  as vendors staged a protest against the removal of  kiosks ordered by the Mayor’s Office as part of the program to clear the city’s sidewalks.

The protest,   followed by  struggles with police  lasted from 11 am to 12.40 pm.

Six of the vendors were detained and, the road was re-opened.

An estimated 50 kiosks were removed.

Mayor Blandon has promised that an area will be set aside away from sidewalks  for refurbished kiosks. He Tweeted that many of the kiosks blocking sidewalks were their seven days a week but used only for a few hours on the weekend.