Residents protest gas price increases at Bristol StopTheGasTaxCT.com rally
May 18, 2021
Bristol Press
More than three dozen people gathered at Sunoco on Saturday, holding up signs to protest increasing gas taxes as passers-by honked their horns in support.
The protest, which was led by local legislators including Sen. Henri Martin and Rep. Cara Pavalock-D’Amato, drew a good sized turnout and a strong response from passing motorists.
As songs like Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and The Pretty Reckless’ “And So It Went” played, participants held up signs that directed those who sympathized with their cause to “stopthegastaxct.com” to sign a petition.
They also handed out flyers and stickers with a QR code which people could scan to sign the petition.
Martin noted that several similar protests had been held in other Connecticut towns, including Wallingford, Stafford, Thomaston and East Hartford.
“We had a really good turnout in Thomaston,” he said. “There were about 50 people there.”
Joseph Lemieux came out to the protest because he said he thinks Connecticut is over-taxed already.
“This will just add to the burden on the economy as it is trying to come back,” he said. “It doesn’t help the middle class or the lower middle class; it’s just another regressive tax that we can’t afford.”
Don Pelletier said that the residents of Connecticut are already paying too much in taxes and that it is causing people to want to leave the state.
“So many people already have one foot out the door and this is just like putting a banana peel under the other foot,” he said.
Rich Kilby attended the protest because he said he was “just fed up.”
“We’re paying too much for gas,” he said. “Last year at this time gas was $1.89 and now look at where we are today – its $3 again.”
Maureen Paradis said that gas prices were “getting ridiculous.”
“The prices are just too high,” she said. “We’re already paying too much; we can’t afford another tax.”
Pamela Young said that she came to the protest because “people need to speak up.”
“If we don’t say something now this is going to keep happening,” she said.