By: Gegee Brima
MONROVIA – A group of market women from various communities across Monrovia stormed Lynch Street at OK FM on Tuesday, calling on the Liberian government to address what they describe as increasing harassment and unfair treatment by city police enforcing street selling restrictions.
The women gathered with their markets, chanting slogans demanding the right to sell their goods freely.
Many of the protesters, who rely on street vending as their primary means of income, accused city enforcement officers of seizing their merchandise without proper documentation and often returning goods with items missing.
“We are not criminals—we are mothers, businesswomen, and citizens trying to survive,” said Mamie Kromah, a longtime fruit vendor and one of the protest’s organizers. “The government promised to improve our lives, not to punish us for trying to feed our families.”
Several other vendors echoed her sentiment, saying that overcrowded formal markets and unaffordable rental spaces leave them with no choice but to sell along the streets and sidewalks.
“The police took all my oranges without warning. When I went to get them back, half of it was gone,” said Comfort Williams, another vendor from the Waterside area. “We need regulation, yes, but not harassment.”
The group is demanding a formal dialogue with city officials and a revision of street vending policies that would provide space or permits for informal traders.
Protesters also expressed frustration that many of them supported the current administration during elections, only to now feel abandoned.
In response, a representative from the Ministry of Internal Affairs briefly addressed the crowd, stating that the government is aware of the concerns and is working on a plan to better regulate informal street selling.
“We understand the challenges these women face,” the official said. “There will be engagement with representatives from their group to seek a sustainable solution.”
While the protest concluded peacefully, organizers say they will continue to advocate for fair treatment and economic inclusion until meaningful action is taken.
Street vending remains a key part of Liberia’s informal economy, providing livelihoods for thousands of women in the capital and across the country.
However, the government’s efforts to maintain urban order have increasingly put informal traders at odds with municipal authorities.
Editor’s Note:
This article is part of an ongoing series examining the impact of urban policy on informal economies in Liberia.
