Sidewalks are not for anyone

(Baonghean) - The sidewalk “war” that started in Ho Chi Minh City gradually spread to other provinces and cities across the country. Many conflicting opinions arose from the public, some agreed, some opposed. There were also those who were half in agreement and half out, wavering between reason and emotion.

In theory, the sidewalk does not belong to anyone, no one has the right to use it for personal gain, let alone occupy it entirely, not leaving even a small path for pedestrians. In reality, the sidewalk is the livelihood of countless workers at the lower levels of society, cleaning the sidewalk also means pushing them into unemployment and incomelessness.

Many businesses along Hong Son Street (Vinh City) encroach on the entire sidewalk. Photo: Nguyen Nguyen

I remember once following the city’s urban order team to “clean up” the spontaneous stalls encroaching on the sidewalk in front of one of the city’s largest hospitals. Seeing the scene right in front of the hospital gate was a spontaneous market, with stalls stretching tarpaulins and setting up tables and chairs haphazardly, it really couldn’t be considered beautiful.

Not to mention, every time it rains, the dirt road next to the hospital gets wet, combined with plastic bags and garbage from the market, which is extremely unsanitary and in extreme conflict with the hospital right next door. As soon as they catch a glimpse of the security team's cars from afar, shop owners hastily take down their umbrellas, parasols, and tarpaulins, spreading them out to occupy the entire sidewalk, even spilling onto the street.

The security team rushed in like a gust of wind, joining in the above mentioned dismantling, the only difference being that the items they dismantled would “land” on the truck bed to be taken to the team’s gathering place. A moment later, the truck bed was filled with tables, chairs, canvas, shop support frames, etc. People surrounded the truck, waiting for no one to notice and then rushed up to snatch back the confiscated items. A member of the security team had to climb up and stand in the truck bed to keep the items. Shouting and cursing filled the street. “Are you going to let us make a living?”, “Why are you oppressing us?”, “Give the items back to the people to do business, guys”, “Hey villagers, come out and see them arrest and threaten the people”… There were even obscene threats.

Seemingly accustomed to these reactions, the security team just silently finished their work and got in their cars to go to other places. The road in front of the hospital gate looked a little brighter, but the shabby shops were still there. And a few days later, they bought new tables, chairs, umbrellas, and tarpaulins, and calmly occupied the sidewalk again as if nothing had happened.

Everyone needs to make a living, but they must make a living in a humane way. Humaneness here does not mean giving blind sympathy regardless of reason or law to those in more difficult circumstances. Humanity here means making a living for yourself, but at the same time looking back to see if you are trampling on the rights of others, on the living environment of the community.

The sidewalk belongs to me, to you, to all of us. Just because I am poor does not mean I have the right to occupy the sidewalk as my own, and if you are richer, you must give me the sidewalk and invite yourself to walk on the street. Before the law, everyone is equal - in rights and obligations.

Hai Trieu