Angry and weeping women protest

OCTOBER 11 1968 was a sad day for many women handicraft vendors in Suva, according to The Fiji

Times.

This paper reported that a crowd of about 70 women, most of them Fijians, some crying and some with banners bearing the allegation “Police treated us like dogs”, marched to Government Buildings in Suva to protest over unequal treatment.

This was after they were evicted by police from their curio stalls pitched near the Suva Wharf.

“They and some men grouped in front of the new wing at Government Buildings and complained to the Assistant Minister for Communications, Works and Tourism, Ratu David Tonganivalu that the police had cruelly evicted them from their pitches between the wharf - south gate and Harris Road,” The Fiji Times reported.

They were later given “a brief reprieve” and told they could occupy the pitches until later in the day.

“Some women cried bitterly as they declared that their eviction from an area which they had occupied on “ship days” for many years meant they could not earn the money they badly needed to buy food and pay bills,” The Fiji Times added.

Vendors said they should have been given “a few days’ notice”.

While the delegation waited, Ratu David went away to make inquiries. When he returned he told the vendors they could return to the area in which they were selling at, adding that an alternative area would be found for them.

He said the area was under the jurisdiction of the Harbourmaster, but the police had taken action before the Harbourmaster

had been told.

Kitione Bagasau, a curio vendor at the market for 18 years, told Ratu David that the women were taken by surprise when three police officers arrived. Some of the women were illiterate and did not understand English.

“They were chased away. Some of them looked for other places to sell their goods, but others chose to go home,” he said.

Sovaia Saqa, 50, of Charles St, Suva, a mother of seven children said she had been selling home-made curios for almost 20 years.

“A police officer came along and without any warning struck his baton on my stall and told me to pack up my goods and leave,” Ms Saqa said.

“I stood there dumbfounded. The officer returned and said: “what are you looking at? Do you want me to throw your things in the garbage can?”

Ilisepa Tauri, 47, said although her husband worked as a watchman, she had to sell curious to help support him and the family.

Mr Muthuswamy, 65, of Suva St and president of the Hawkers’ Association said: “We occupy the area only on days when passenger liners are in port.

“We are not in anybody’s way. If we are to go, then why are vendors who are offering their wares on the footpath directly outside the markets allowed to stay,” he said.

Sereana Tavaga, 55, widow of Charles St, said selling curios was her only livelihood.

“Who is going to feed me if I haven’t anywhere to sell why curious,” she said with tears in her eyes.