Liberation News has been covering the six straight days of action by the Puerto Rican diaspora in Boston, as they call for the resignation of Puerto Rico’s sitting Governor, Ricardo Rosselló, after text messages between Rosselló and other government officials were leaked. The leak revealed homophobic, racist and misogynistic conversations between current and former government officials; mocking sitting women politicians and those who lost their lives due to Hurricane Maria. The hurricane hit the island in September 2017 — causing an upwards estimate of 8,500 deaths and leaving thousands more without electricity and other basic goods to this day.
Liberation News spoke with José Hernandez of Puerto Rico Me Llama and Carlos Cabrera, a student at Berklee College of Music. Hernandez and Cabrera explained why Puerto Ricans are calling for Governor Rosselló’s resignation, and how festering anger in Puerto Rico generally relates to the island’s status as a U.S. colony.
On July 21, Governor Rosselló attempted to quell the protests by announcing that he will not seek re-election when his term expires in late 2020, but he refused to resign. Rosselló’s tactic has not worked. Today, July 22, Puerto Ricans have taken to the streets in massive numbers, with many participating in a general strike.
All progressive and revolutionary people should stand in solidarity with the people of Puerto Rico in their demand for Rosselló’s resignation, and further, an end to the island’s de facto colonial status under the U.S. government.
Video translation by Kimberly Barzola.
