Puerto Rico Ping! Please Freepmail me if you want on or off the list.
Posted on 06/02/2008 12:59:15 PM PDT by Ebenezer
(English-language translation)
Thousands of independence supporters and different anti-colonialist organizations marched yesterday towards the Governor's Mansion to repudiate the Democratic primary that was held at the same time throughout the island. Colón Square in Old San Juan was the meeting spot for the multitudinous demonstration in which the leadership of the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) and the National Hostosiano Independence Movement participated. Likewise, there was noticeable representation from the island's entertainers and organizations such as Mothers Against War, the Socialist Front, the Electrical Industry Workers Union, and the Puerto Rico Teachers Federation, among others. "We do not get involved in American political matters. Evidently, we are calling for a boycott," said PIP gubernatorial candidate Edwin Irizarry Mora, who headed the march along with his party's Chairman Rubén Berríos, Elections Commissioner Juan Dalmau, legislators Víctor García San Inocencio and María de Lourdes Santiago, and attorney Fernando Martín and his counterpart Jessica Martínez, who is running for Resident Commissioner in Washington. According to Irizarry, the objective of the march is to denounce what Puerto Ricans feel about the "primary circus" that was held to elect a candidate no one can vote for in the November presidential election. In honor of this denunciation, some were dressed as colonialism's main characters: Hillary or Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and FBI agents. The march began at 11:15 AM leaving Colón Square, passing through Recinto Sur, Cruz, and Sol streets, and ending at the Governor's Mansion. Those who did not fly a flag carried signs with some of the traditional messages of "Yankee Go Home" or "USA Invaders". For their part, others walked carrying a machete. The crowd enveloped Santo Cristo Street until it reached the Governor's Mansion, where over 15 police offers guarded the entrance to the Chief Executive's house. San Juan [area] Colonel Leovigildo Vázquez indicated that between 35 and 50 officers were detailed to this event. After thanking the island's independence faction and former political prisoners Lolita Lebrón and Rafael Cancel Miranda for their presence, Irizarry proceeded to criticize the way the island's two major parties join together to make decisions that affect the people. He mentioned as examples the passing of a sales tax, the most recent Industrial Incentives Law, and the election of the Democratic candidate for the U.S. presidency. "Two weeks after talking sovereignty, the Governor rallies behind one of the [Democratic] candidates. What’s embarrassing is that he is campaigning for the one who may send him to jail the day after tomorrow,” the independence leader stated. Following the PIP leader’s message anticipating the end of the colony and assimilationism, the activity ended with the signing of the Revolutionary Hymn and, with raised fists, the demonstrators sang in unison, “Awaken Puerto Ricans, the signal has been given….”
ping
Full independence works for me!
Puerto Rico Ping! Please Freepmail me if you want on or off the list.
Maybe it does for only 5% of the Puerto Rican electorate, so what do you do about the 95% who favor a continued relationship with the U.S. either as a Commonwealth or as a state?
Full benefits except voting rights, and no Federal Income Tax.
“...they have great deal. Full benefits except...”
Full benefits? We wished. We pay full Medicare taxes but the return to Puerto Rico is capped by Congress. We pay full Social Security Taxes but the SSI is not extended to residents of Puerto Rico. Just two example.
Well, I don’t know about the rancor and bitterness part, especially among the Puerto Rican separatists. They often act more anti-American than anti-colonialist, so their dislike of “Yankees” may not end even with independence. Just look at nations such as Cuba and Venezuela.
As I wrote, its best for Puerto Rico and the US to separate now as friends than to remain together in a relationship that will only get worse.
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