The Case of the Mexicans and Puerto Ricans –Two People, One Destiny 1998 marks two infamous anniversaries for the two largest Latino groups in what is called the United States; for Mexicans, 150 years since the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and for Puerto Ricans 100 years since the US invasion of their island. On February 2, 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed; a humiliated and defeated Mexico accepted the Rio Grande as the border with Texas and ceded California, Nevada, New Mexico and parts of Colorado, Arizona, and Utah to the United States. Thus the jewel on the crown of the expansionist and imperial design known as Manifest Destiny was set in place. The country which, in 1776, had declared itself independent from colonial domination, had now become the world’s major colonizer. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, like all treaties which the United States had entered into with Native Americans, was not to be enforced as far as the native inhabitants were concerned; as the great Puerto Rican Nationalist, Pedro Albizu Campos would say, “The United States wants the cage but not the bird.” This sentiment echoed the words of the Mexican diplomat Manuel Cresción […] Read More
José E. López Solidarity message to the Millon Man March Compañeras y compañeros, Brothers and Sisters: I greet you in the name of the Puerto Rican communities of Chicago. I greet you in the name of Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos – the standard-bearers, the embodiment, the symbols of the Puerto Rican people, yearning for freedom, justice and peace. I greet you in the name of the Puerto Rican political prisoners in U.S. prisons charged with seditious conspiracy for their actions on behalf of Puerto Rico’s right to be a free and independent nation. I salute Minister Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam, and all who have labored to celebrate the 2nd Anniversary of the Million Man March with their Day of Atonement. A delegation from the Puerto Rican community has come today to demonstrate our solidarity with you on this momentous occasion. Our presence here tonight, we hope, will be the beginnings of a dialogue among our communities that will become an everlasting bridge for our peoples. We must realize we have a common history, and therefore a common destiny. The entire history of the past 500 years or so has been a process of taking us out of history – […] Read More
Interview by Ferd Eggan and Edy Scripps with Danny Castillo, a representative of the US Army Corps of Engineers, then commentary afterward with Alexis Massol of the Adjuntas Academy of Art and Culture. Also with Bob Lederer and Mike Hansen. Army Corps of Engineers representative revealed the extent of the so-called “flood control” project in Maraguez which had already displaced 450 people from there. Alexis shared that the dam’s purpose was to provide hydroelectric power for future industries as part of the 2020 Plan which includes the development of Puerto Rico for the benefit of multinational corporations, causing environmental and physical damage to the island and its people. Read More
Download the State of Illinois hearing transcripts here and the “Community Hearings: Determining the Truth behind the Clemente Story” report and hearing transcripts here and here. Below is a slideshow of the sensationalist headlines at that time, as well as leaflets and programs of Roberto Clemente Community Academy events during that period of time. Also below that is Read More
