Jul 9 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Stephanie Sanchez The Sun, Yuma, Ariz.

"Abajo la luz!" (Lower electricity rates!)

That slogan appeared on signs and was heard in the streets Wednesday for three hours as 300 people blocked the border at San Luis, Ariz., in protest of summer electricity rates.

The vehicle lanes between San Luis and neighboring San Luis Rio Colorado, Son., were blocked by protesters and prevented motorists from traveling between the two countries.

As they had warned publicly last week, protesters began the blockade at 11 a.m. and ended at 1 p.m.

Cars bound for the United States backed up into Mexico for a quarter of a mile as the blockade remained in effect.

"I do not agree with this because they should go protest at the Federal Commission of Electricity in San Luis, not here at the border," said an angry Ana Chavez, a San Luis, Ariz., resident who was one of the people prevented from returning to the United States. "We don't have a fault in this, we don't even live here."

Protesters had said they planned to block the border indefinitely in an effort to force the federal government to lower power rates in San Luis Rio Colorado and elsewhere in Sonora in the summer, when people run air conditioning more often.

David Martinez, who was also prevented from crossing the border, predicted the blockade will have no effect in pressuring the government to lower rates.

"This is very bad, very bad because in any way whatever they (protesters) want to do, they (Mexican government officials) won't do anything in Mexico," said Martinez, who was waiting in line for about two hours. "I have lived in San Luis, Mexico, and that's why I know these things never get fixed.

"It won't get fixed, so forget about it," he said.

After the blockade began, two cars and a semi-truck headed for Mexico were turned away by protesters. Protesters cheered and chanted "Si se pudo!" as they successfully turned them away.

Lucio Rodriguez, secretary at Frente Civico Sanluisino (San Luis Civic Front), said San Luis Rio Colorado citizens are paying about 54 percent more in rates than citizens of Mexicali, B.C. Mexico.

For 600 Kwt, citizens of Mexicali are paying about 611 pesos ($61) while citizens of San Luis Rio Colorado are paying about 1, 335 pesos ($134), according to Rodriguez.

"I'm not sure if you realize how much people's salaries are here but on average people make about 600 to 700 pesos ($60 to $70) weekly, sometimes up to 900 pesos ($90) if they're on commission," Rodriguez said. "Almost 35 percent of their monthly salary goes to the Federal Commission of Electricity."

This protest is a way to pressure Mexican authorities who are in charge of the electricity rate system to turn their eyes to San Luis so they can see that San Luis' climate is one of the hottest places, maybe even of the world, he said.

"We realized that the lawmakers we have in our own town aren't capable or even dare to enter a movement for the public, who we actually chose them to represent us," Rodriguez said. "So that's why it is time that the public manifests this issue."

Hours later, San Luis Rio Colorado government officials stopped to mingle with the crowd and encouraged their protesting. Officials said they supported the public decision to protest against the high electric rates.

Monica Mendez, a San Luis, Son., resident and a single mother who cleans houses for a living, said she has been having trouble making ends meet because of the high electric bill rates.

"I have gotten to the point that I have cut down on groceries just to pay the electric bill, because If I don't, then they will immediately shut it off." Mendez said. "I am here with such sacrifice (risking my job) but I am here."

Antonio Villalobos, a protester in Mexico, said almost half of his paycheck is going toward the electric bill and even still he can't fully pay off the total amount of what he is being charged for.

"I am paying almost 2,000 pesos ($200) and I have three kids who I need to feed," Villalobos said.

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Stephanie Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@yumasun.com or 539-6847.