US territory Puerto Rico rocked by biggest protests in recent history

Protest, Puerto Rico


Support us and go ad-free

Hundreds of thousands of protesters are currently filling the streets of Puerto Rico to demand the resignation of their governor.

The neglected US territory, “destroyed“ in 2017 by Hurricane Maria, ‘belongs to‘ the US (with the latter ‘making the rules’); but its people can’t vote in presidential elections. And as Slate described in June, “although Puerto Ricans fully pay into the U.S. Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security systems, they cannot collect the same benefits as citizens in the 50 states”.

Leaked messages

On 13 July, the Puerto Rican Center for Investigative Journalism leaked 889 pages of conversations between governor Ricardo Rosselló and his “inner circle”. The messages exposed Rosselló’s use of misogynistic and homophobic language, as well as a disinterest in helping the Puerto Rican people after Hurricane Maria.

The protests, which are the largest in the island’s recent history, are not only a response to Rosselló’s choice of wording. Deeper than that, independent news outlet NACLA reports that they are a reaction to “a broader context of violence, degradation, and exploitation”. As author Naomi Klein added:

“Puerto Rico will rise up”

Since the leaking of the texts, the crowds have swelled larger and larger. This week, an estimated 500,000 people hit the streets of capital San Juan – roughly a seventh of the island’s total population. Massive pressure is therefore mounting on Rosselló, who is still refusing to resign.

The Puerto Rican police, meanwhile, have begun to respond to the protests with increasing violence. The police commissioner, for instance, threatened to defend Puerto Rico’s government “to the last drop of blood”. Police have claimed that the constitution no longer applies, and as NACLA reported:

started to forcibly remove people from the area, nearly causing a stampede.

Videos from 22 July suggest that the momentum nonetheless continues to grow:

US senator Bernie Sanders had already written a message of solidarity with the Puerto Ricans, joining the call for the governor to resign.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who comes from a Puerto Rican family, has also called for Rosselló’s resignation and for solidarity with protesters:

Until Rosselló resigns, meanwhile, it seems the protests are unlikely to wane.

Featured image via Twitter – David Begnaud

Support us and go ad-free

We need your help to keep speaking the truth

Every story that you have come to us with; each injustice you have asked us to investigate; every campaign we have fought; each of your unheard voices we amplified; we do this for you. We are making a difference on your behalf.

Our fight is your fight. You’ve supported our collective struggle every time you gave us a like; and every time you shared our work across social media. Now we need you to support us with a monthly donation.

We have published nearly 2,000 articles and over 50 films in 2021. And we want to do this and more in 2022 but we don’t have enough money to go on at this pace. So, if you value our work and want us to continue then please join us and be part of The Canary family.

In return, you get:

* Advert free reading experience
* Quarterly group video call with the Editor-in-Chief
* Behind the scenes monthly e-newsletter
* 20% discount in our shop

Almost all of our spending goes to the people who make The Canary’s content. So your contribution directly supports our writers and enables us to continue to do what we do: speaking truth, powered by you. We have weathered many attempts to shut us down and silence our vital opposition to an increasingly fascist government and right-wing mainstream media.

With your help we can continue:

* Holding political and state power to account
* Advocating for the people the system marginalises
* Being a media outlet that upholds the highest standards
* Campaigning on the issues others won’t
* Putting your lives central to everything we do

We are a drop of truth in an ocean of deceit. But we can’t do this without your support. So please, can you help us continue the fight?

The Canary Support us
  • Show Comments

    1. Its true the constitution no longer applies so why is the Police Chief defending this mistaken idea of a country.
      Talk about abuse of of what America was founded upon!!
      Where are the shouts of No taxation without Representation!!
      Anyone who still hopes out for the “dream” of what happened 200 years can kiss it goodbye. It will never happen in America again. The dream is still out there, and a mover.
      The Puerto Rico people know it, and am hoping it flourishes with them.

      Report comment

    Leave a Reply

    Join the conversation

    Please read our comment moderation policy here.

Related articles