Thousands of people marched on the Hudo Rail against the management of Luma Energy and the power transmission and distribution system in Puerto Rico, demanding the cancellation of the contract between the government and the company in Puerto Rico.
Protesters gathered in front of Hiram Pithorn Municipal Stadium, from where they marched towards the Los Americas Express at 5:30 pm, where traffic was to be stopped by police.
Demonstrations against the company took place during the tour, and its deal marked the beginning of the privatization of the Electricity Authority. Complaints from protesters include continuous interruptions in the electrical service, company response time and billing to subscribers.
“I’m leaving because I do not want the electricity to go out”: from #MarchaFueraLUMA Children and adolescents also participated and are confident that they will continue to demonstrate. Metro_PR pic.twitter.com/mEWUAh7JkW
– Salome Rameres Vargas (@ Salomevargas) October 15, 2021
“We are tired of coming home and realizing we don’t have electricity,” said Mera Rivera, 55, who is particularly concerned about her parents under the age of 90 and the heat they experience at home.
Among those marching was Juan Antonio Rivera, 78, who said the most recent crash this week had plunged him into darkness for 43 hours. The former damaged both of his computers.
“It costs $ 200 to fix one,” he shouted. “I have receipts here to take to Luma.”
One protester, who worked as a line operator for the Electricity Authority, said he was frustrated and angry about the blackout as his mother lay in bed, wearing a helmet and tool belt.
“She’s going to suffer,” he said.
When the sun goes down, the lights of their mobile phones light up the Expresso Los Americas, whose lighting system has not worked for years.
In the absence of public lighting on the Los Americas Express, protesters turn on their cell phone incandescent lights as a sign of demand for a sustainable energy system. #MarchaFueraLUMA Metro_PR pic.twitter.com/M4Qs3BBeZy
– Salome Rameres Vargas (@ Salomevargas) October 15, 2021
The march ended where it started, where many citizens addressed those present.
Although the afternoon started with heavy rain in the Hatto Ray area, the weather conditions improved during the operation.
Protesters dance a “performance”. Solar pavement. #MarchaFueraLUMA #Metropr pic.twitter.com/rVe2kcxBln
– Metro_PR (etMetro_PR) October 15, 2021
Many citizens interviewed by the metro said they had to park in remote areas Before the roads were closed by the police. The mayors who came to the area around Hiram Pithorn condemned the same.
The march came on the same day that LUMA announced it would provide electricity for the first time to a community in the municipality of Culebra Island, which relied solely on generators or solar panels. The company was approved on Friday to launch eight transfer and distribution restructuring projects worth $ 117 million.