The People of Puerto Rico Are Angry: Here Is What's Fueling a Major Protest Planned for Monday
USA TODAY
Susan Miller
July 22, 2019
Anger seething in Puerto Rico is expected to draw thousands to San Juan's cobble-stoned streets again Monday in an unrelenting push to force the U.S. territory's governor to step down.
The planned major demonstration follows a week of protests and outrage targeting Gov. Ricardo Rosselló, who is embroiled in a scandal over hundreds of pages of leaked text messages that contained misogynistic and homophobic language.
While he has admitted writing the messages and asked for forgiveness, Rosselló has refused to resign, though he did announce Sunday via a brief Facebook video that he would not seek reelection. He also said he would step down as head of his pro-statehood party.
The texting scandal, informally known as "Chatgate," erupted a day after Rosselló’s former secretary of education and five other people were arrested on charges of steering federal money to unqualified, politically connected contractors. The private chats between the governor and members of his Cabinet mocked women, disabled people and even victims of Hurricane Maria.
Who is protesting?
Celebrities, such as singer Ricky Martin, have joined ordinary Puerto Ricans swarming outside the governor's official residence, La Fortaleza, a Spanish colonial fortress in Old San Juan.
On Friday, unionized workers were accompanied by horseback riders outside the fort. Two days earlier, a caravan of thousands of motorcyclists wove through residential streets en route to San Juan.
On Sunday, kayakers made their case from the waters in front of the fort.
Politicians – including Puerto Rico’s non-voting member of Congress Jenniffer Gonzalez; Sen. Rick Scott of Florida; and New York congresswomen Nydia Velázquez and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez – have weighed in as well, demanding Rosselló’s resignation.
"Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda also led a rally in New York's Union Square calling for the governor to step aside.
Susan Miller
July 22, 2019
Anger seething in Puerto Rico is expected to draw thousands to San Juan's cobble-stoned streets again Monday in an unrelenting push to force the U.S. territory's governor to step down.
The planned major demonstration follows a week of protests and outrage targeting Gov. Ricardo Rosselló, who is embroiled in a scandal over hundreds of pages of leaked text messages that contained misogynistic and homophobic language.
While he has admitted writing the messages and asked for forgiveness, Rosselló has refused to resign, though he did announce Sunday via a brief Facebook video that he would not seek reelection. He also said he would step down as head of his pro-statehood party.
The texting scandal, informally known as "Chatgate," erupted a day after Rosselló’s former secretary of education and five other people were arrested on charges of steering federal money to unqualified, politically connected contractors. The private chats between the governor and members of his Cabinet mocked women, disabled people and even victims of Hurricane Maria.
Who is protesting?
Celebrities, such as singer Ricky Martin, have joined ordinary Puerto Ricans swarming outside the governor's official residence, La Fortaleza, a Spanish colonial fortress in Old San Juan.
On Friday, unionized workers were accompanied by horseback riders outside the fort. Two days earlier, a caravan of thousands of motorcyclists wove through residential streets en route to San Juan.
On Sunday, kayakers made their case from the waters in front of the fort.
Politicians – including Puerto Rico’s non-voting member of Congress Jenniffer Gonzalez; Sen. Rick Scott of Florida; and New York congresswomen Nydia Velázquez and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez – have weighed in as well, demanding Rosselló’s resignation.
"Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda also led a rally in New York's Union Square calling for the governor to step aside.
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