Activist ‘Tito Kayak’ arrested at protest in front of La Fortaleza

Alberto de Jesús Mercado, aka Tito Kayak (Ricardo Alcaraz Díaz I dialogo.upr.edu)

By THE STAR STAFF

Police officers arrested environmental activist Alberto de Jesús Mercado, known as “Tito Kayak,” on Monday during a demonstration in front of La Fortaleza, after he attempted to set up a camping tent in the middle of a public street.

According to press reports, the operation took place at the intersection of Del Cristo and Fortaleza streets, where a group of protesters gathered, demanding the resignation of Gov. Jenniffer González Colón and the termination of the contract with LUMA Energy, the private grid operator, and protesting the electricity rate increase approved by the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau.

Authorities said the placement of camping tents on the street is not permitted, so the Motorized Containment Unit was activated to handle the situation and remove the structure.

The Tactical Operations Division was also present at the scene of the demonstration as a preventative measure.