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Tear gas used against motoconcho protesters
posted on: Jun 12 2010 8:25 by Royston. Viewed 888 times.
The Director of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Amet), General Jos Anbal Sanz, has defended the operations carried out recently by Amet against motorcyclists. The move has provoked violent protests in several parts of the capital.
The president of the National Federation of motoconchos (FENAMOTO), Oscar Almanzar, reported that five people were injured and 30 arrested during a protest at los Alcarrizos. Tempers rose and protesters burned tires and shouted slogans.
While police officers were trying to bring order, traffic was stopped on Duarte Avenue and tear gas fired at the angry crowd.
Almanzar explained that the protests were about AMET not only imposing fines on motoconchistas, but impounding their bikes until the fines are paid.
General Sanz justified the seizures as being the only mechanism available to him to force the riders to pay their fines and comply with the laws on riding motorbikes.
The official claimed that the vast majority of these drivers take to the streets with complete disregard for traffic laws.
"95% of people stopped have no safety helmet, no license, no plates, no insurance and when they are fined they simply do not pay," he argued.
For several days Amet agents have been running operations against motoconchistas, as a result of which thousands of bikes have been stored at the old race track on Monumental Avenue.
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