On the morning of Wednesday, November 11, vendors in São Luís staged a protest by blocking Guaxenduba Avenue in the city center in response to the sudden closure of the Central Market. The municipality mandated the closure for that same day to facilitate the relocation of vendors to a new Central Market located nearby on the Anel Viário. The vendors criticized the short notice for the transfer, arguing that leaving their current location would leave them unable to work and earn a living in the coming days, as operations at the new facility are not expected to resume until the following week.

During the demonstration, the vendors ignited objects in protest, completely blocking the road. Firefighters were called to extinguish the flames, which had risen high and posed a threat to passing vehicles. This scene highlighted the tension between local authorities and the vendors, who are keen on securing their livelihoods amid significant changes to their work environment. The protests signal broader issues of labor rights and urban policy in Brazil, as the vendors seek to ensure their voices are heard in negotiations with city officials.

The protests at the Central Market reflect the challenges many workers face in the rapidly changing urban landscape of Brazilian cities. The abrupt decisions made by local governments can leave informal workers, like these vendors, vulnerable, often without adequate support or transitional periods to manage such significant changes. As these events unfold, the implications for local economies and the social fabric of São Luís are likely to deepen, calling for a reassessment of how authorities engage with street vendor communities in the future.