Irvine business owner organizes rally to call attention to the fees credit card companies are raking in with rising gas prices. |
| By Olga BelogolovaPublished: July 03, 2008 04:10 PM |
More than 30 people gathered at the corner of Jamboree and Barranca Avenues this morning to protest high gas prices and high credit card fees. The protest, organized by small-business owner Mitch Goldstone, took place during the morning commute.
On the cusp of Independence Day weekend, protesters gathered wearing American flags and patriotic gear.
One of them, Mary Lou Barry of Tustin, dressed in a full American-flag jacket and glistening blue hat, spoke about the gas problem. “People are just accepting it,” she says. “We have to talk about it and maybe get some attention.”
The high gas prices are not only affecting drivers, explained Mitch Goldstone, but independent business owners as well, whom, he says, “are going out of business because of Visa and MasterCard.”
Navdeep Bassi, a 7-Eleven franchise owner, is feeling the weight of these fees. “Credit card fees are killing us,” he says. “We make no profit.”
Also personally affected by the gas prices, Lauren Young came to the protest with her daughter Samaia.
Having no car, Young explains: “It’s hard to get rides because a lot of people don’t want to do it. It makes a lot harder,” Young says, “doctors appointments and everything.”
Overall, organizer Mitch Goldstone was very pleased with the turnout. “Everyone is so passionate about record gas prices,” he explained, “especially right before our holiday weekend.”
Goldstone is the president of ScanMyPhotos.com and 30 Minute Photos, Etc., which are located near the protest location as well as a nearby Chevron station.
For more information about gas prices, credit card fees and Goldstone’s efforts, go to WayTooHigh.com
[source: OC Metro Magazine]
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