Mid-Michigan residents protest rising gas prices, call for end to Iran conflict

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) -A group of mid-Michigan residents gathered Monday to call for an immediate end to the Middle East conflict as the inaccessible Strait of Hormuz continues to impact gas prices.

State and local leaders, farmers and union workers gathered in front of an Okemos gas station to protest the rising price of fuel and other materials.

The group blames Congress and their lack of action for the price hike. They are calling on Rep. Tom Barrett and his colleagues to vote for an end to the war.

With the Strait of Hormuz completely blocked, the shipping of fuel and materials that make fertilizer is at a standstill.

Farmer says costs are unsustainable

Mark Zacharda, a mid-Michigan farmer, said he can’t afford the pinch.

“Since this war of choice with Iran was started, nitrogen fertilizer costs are up 40 percent. 40 percent,” Zacharda said. “So, when we were already looking at a situation where we were just hoping to scrape by, it’s looking like another year to be in the red.”

Hours later, Barrett joined U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins at a Michigan State University dairy barn to discuss the USDA’s investment in Michigan farmers.

Responding to concerns over cost, he told members of the press farmers would benefit from more energy independence in the U.S.

“Increasing our own self-reliance, producing our own products in this country so we can take ownership of ourselves and have that front to back security for agriculture, that leads to food security, which as we’ve pointed out from the very beginning is a national security interest of ours,” Barrett said.

USDA opens Venezuela fertilizer trade

Rollins said that although farmers are facing challenges in the short term, the U.S. has an abundance of fertilizer, and there will not be a shortage.

She said her office has helped open up fertilizer trade with Venezuela to limit the impact of the Strait of Hormuz blockade.

President Donald Trump said the American military has begun a blockade of Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf as part of his effort to force Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz and accept a deal to end the war that has raged for more than six weeks.

In closing the strait, Trump said any Iranian attack boats would be “eliminated” if they come near U.S. Navy ships.

The Iranian government responded, saying it is prepared for any scenario.

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