Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Neighbors, merchants and tourism service providers protested yesterday because of the lack of work on rebuilding the Playa Los Muertos Pier. They gathered at the corner of Olas Altas and Francisco Rodríguez streets to speak out against the federal, state and municipal government. The protestors say they will not move until the issue is resolved, including removal of netting, and assurance as to when work on the pier will resume.

The pier was dismantled a year ago, and the work was scheduled to be completed this summer. With the start of the 2011 tourist season just around the corner, protestors are collecting signatures to deliver to the authorities with a demand for immediate feedback.

Business owners in the area spoke of the effects of losing the pier in terms of business closures, layoffs, loss of income, poor image, insecurity and diminishing of tourists visiting the area.

One protestor, Othniel Barragán Espinosa, said "We are not just neighbors, but also merchants, vendors and providers of tourist services, united against the closing this street."

The group has collected 300 signatures of people who are unhappy with the situation and willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish a resolution. Local merchants say they are tired of empty promises and lack of accountability. They will be presenting a petition that requires officials to "assume responsibility for the reopening of the street, debris removal and a completion date for the replacement of the pier."

If they do not receive an immediate response from government officials, protestors plan to leave a permanent picket at the site 24 hours a day, and another demonstration will take place on Thursday, September 29th at 10 o'clock in the morning, as well as a sit-in on Tuesday, October 4th.

The Olas Altas protesters invited the general public to participate in this day of encampment. They hope that, not only merchants, service providers, boaters, tour providers, ticket sellers, fishermen, taxi drivers, hoteliers, but those who live in the area will join them because, "this is killing our neighborhood."

From Olas Altas to Francisco Rodriguez Streets alone the problem affects 25 stores, 20 pangueros and 60 other employees in addition to ticket sellers, restaurateurs and retailers.