Powerful image of a protestor in San Juan (credit FB)
After Hurricane Maria, the island took up the chant “Puerto Rico Se Levanta!” which means “Puerto Rico Rises!” This past week, the phrase has taken a whole new meaning as the island rises stronger and louder than ever in protests over corruption in the government with the current governor, Ricardo Rossello, taking the main fire with chants of “Ricky Renuncia” which means “Ricky Resign.” Today, one of the main thoroughfares in San Juan was filled with protestors stopping all traffic with estimates of over ONE MILLION people! There are only a little over 3 million people in Puerto Rico so for almost a third of them to show up in person and march for him to leave is not insignificant.
Look at the sheer number of people! (credit FB)
The rage felt toward Ricky Rossello is an outward expression of the inner trauma we are still all dealing with from Hurricane Maria. In chat messages that were exposed after people in his political circle were arrested on corruption charges, the public learned that he mocked those affected the worst, withheld aid when it would make his party look better, made deals that would further his agenda at the cost of the people and generally did not stand as a light in the literal darkness we went through during the long, difficult months after Maria. He has yet to step down, but the people are only getting louder and louder in wanting him to resign. I don’t know how any representative of people would want to “govern” those who clearly do not want him anymore.
On land, air, internet, by sea -Ricky should get the message -The people want him out!
When (and I think it will be soon) he resigns, will it change the culture of corruption that has been in the Puerto Rican government for many, many decades (in both parties)? I am not sure. But I certainly hope it will. After so much that this island has gone through with school and hospital closures, austerity measures and then a hurricane on top of it all, Boricuas have proven the tenacity that only hard times will unfortunately bring out. And this is the proof. I love that people here have gotten so fired up. It has been a long time since I have seen this kind of power of the people. Thoughts of the Occupy Movement come to mind. But the sort of fervor here is unlike even that. It would be as if 100 million people showed up in New York City and shut the city down. There is a camaraderie in this movement that says “Enough is enough!” Basta, ya. Renuncia, ya! The last time a protest near this size occurred was to stop the bombings in the small island of Vieques, and it worked!
To read more about protests and strikes, here’s a pretty good breakdown. And for those concerned about visiting the island, there is no worry. It has overall been a very impressive, and yet peaceful outrage. Perhaps avoid Old San Juan until it is resolved if you are concerned with crowds or have small children, but come, visit. Support this beautiful island with a spirit forged in fire and storms.
Here in our town of Rincon, there was a protest and signs around say “Ricky Renuncia”
PS: Even Ricky Martin, Bad Bunny, Residente (Rene from Calle 13) have all gotten involved. Check out their new (not for kids) song: Afilando los Cuchillos (Sharpening the Knives).