“We are protesting against all forms of pirate transport and against those working under the shadow of impunity,” said Carlos Ramos, one of the taxi drivers in attendance. “We have to pay taxes and maintenance so that our vehicles are in good condition, as well as use the taximeter. I think the majority of us are fulfilling our obligations. It isn’t fair that people use their own cars as taxis, that is what we disagree with. Our clients have reduced by almost 50 percent.”
After almost four hours of dialogue with representatives of the Transport Secretariat, Jorge Araujo, the leader of the protest, announced that they had signed a copy of his demands.
Yet he also threatened that the protests would intensify if the response from the authorities was not satisfactory.
“This is very significant” said demonstrator Juan. “Today we had 250 taxis, but there are 10,000 taxis in total. Just imagine.”
The idea for a roadblock protest may have stemmed from recent demonstrations in the United States. In December of last year, about 300 cars in Berkeley, California blocked the interstate 80 to New York, in protest against the grand jury refusal to indict the police officer in the Eric Garner chokehold case.