On May 11, 2016, a protest broke out near the Zugdidi market early in the morning after street vendors discovered that their stalls had been removed overnight. According to the protesters, the city’s supervision service dismantled the stalls without prior notice.

The demonstration soon moved from the market area to the Zugdidi City Hall, where vendors demanded permission to continue their work. The protest ended only after the mayor granted them temporary authorization to operate near the market.

The issue resurfaced on June 21, when vendors again clashed with city authorities. Despite repeated warnings from the Zugdidi Municipality, the vendors refused to vacate their trading spots. In response, the supervision service placed metal barriers around the area, prompting the vendors to occupy part of the street instead.

Municipal officials stated that while they were aware of the vendors’ difficult social situation, they could not allow illegal trading. The city offered alternative selling spaces inside the market, but some vendors refused to relocate. Street traders continued to organize periodic protests as the local authorities periodically restricted their ability to work outside the market perimeter.