Jakarta – The spirit of solidarity lingers around Jl. Barito, South Jakarta, in the wake of the eviction that demolished 107 kiosks of hundreds of vendors.

Many flowers and fish vendors, together with residents, public figures and activists, could be seen Saturday gathered in a tent they set up in an open yard of a restaurant across from the wrecked kiosks. The vendors said the eviction did not weaken them but made them stronger and gave them a chance to learn about friendship.

"We are surprised to see many people lend us their support during these hard times," Eddy, a 50-year-old florist said.

Yohanes Penginjil Church, which is located in front of the old Barito market location, for example, helped the vendors with food supplies.

"Some residents also sent us food, while vendors from other markets like those in Blok M (in South Jakarta) stopped by and helped us with anything they could do," Eddy told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

Another vendor, Yudhistira, echoed Eddy, saying that support from the public had been great.

"Some building owners in nearby areas helped us with providing spaces to temporarily store (our) belongings," he told the Post. "Some also lent us their cars and trucks to relocate our things."

He said the National Commission on Human Rights sent their representatives to "guard" the coordinating tent, in case the city administration decided to remove it.

The vendors, Eddy said, had discussed finding a new temporary location to continue their businesses. "But one thing is for sure, all of us have decided not to move to the new kiosks in Radio Dalam market (in South Jakarta), no matter what happens," he said.

He said the decision was taken to show the government the vendors were still standing their ground. "We realize our chances of reclaiming our business location are small, but we want to show the government that we have not lost the battle yet," Eddy, who started the flower business in the area 27 years ago, said.

Despite the widespread news about the eviction, he said that some people still came to the Barito area to order flowers. "But I could not accept all the orders and I handed them over to florists in other areas," he said. (dia)