SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — Scranton residents, community leaders and advocates gathered Wednesday to protest rising gas prices and raise concerns about affordability and the economic impact of the war in Iran.
The “Gaslit at the Gas Pump” rally took place across from the Exxon station on Meadow Avenue, where organizers highlighted the financial strain of higher fuel costs on working families. According to organizers, average gas prices in Lackawanna County had risen from $3.07 a gallon in February to $4.44 by Wednesday.
Protesters called for greater accountability over federal policy decisions they believe are contributing to financial hardship for working families.
Jannesy DeLeon, an East Stroudsburg resident and full-time caregiver for her two adult children with disabilities, said rising gas prices have strained her household budget. She travels to medical specialists, some about an hour away, and said filling her children’s transportation van costs $20 to $30 more than it did about two years ago.
“The fact that I’m being forced to make choices between groceries and gas to get my children to their specialists. I’m literally eating less as a result of that because I have to decide whether to buy milk or put gas in my car,” said DeLeon.
Beyond the cost of medical transportation, DeLeon said rising fuel prices have affected other aspects of her family’s life. She canceled a planned summer trip to Virginia Beach because of anticipated gasoline expenses and expressed concern that higher transportation costs are also driving up the prices of groceries and other products.
Scranton resident and veteran Amber Viola said rising gas prices have made access to medical care more difficult, with some veterans walking to appointments or missing them altogether because they lack transportation or cannot afford gasoline.
“With the war in Iran right now, we’re just making more veterans, right? We’re making more disabled vets who are going to need health care, help and services,” said Viola.
Both DeLeon and Viola spoke to the crowd during the rally, sharing their personal experiences with rising costs and calling on elected officials to better understand the financial challenges facing working families. They also encouraged people to make their voices heard at the polls in November.