On behalf of the Puerto Rican independence movement, as well as on behalf of my brother, Oscar López Rivera — the longest-held political prisoner in Puerto Rico’s history, I want to express my deepest sense of condolences to the family, friends, and to all those who labored with him fighting the good fight against racism and colonialism, and for Black liberation, to the harvest of fruits of justice and freedom. Chokwe was truly an exceptional leader — a man who walked the walk, and in the words of Bertolt Brecht, became indispensable. His words and deeds will always resonate with us. His solidarity, particularly with the Puerto Rican and Mexican people, was unquestionable and unswerving. Chokwe clearly understood, as in the lyrics of Mercedes Sosa, everything changes. Tactics needed to be constantly re-molded, but what did not change was his love for his people; and his “Southern Song”. Continue reading at National Boricua Human Rights Network Read More
I am proud to appear before the honorable members of the Cable Commission to speak about the partnership between the Puerto Rican Cultural Center and CAN TV. Before I discuss the most recent aspects of that partnership, let me say that these concrete acts attest to the importance of the experience of CAN TV in a multicultural, multi-faceted democratic society. CAN TV provides a forum and technical assistance which addresses one of the great problems of the 21st Century – the ever-expanding schism that is the digital divide. CAN TV represents a voice for the voiceless in this society, and the promise of inclusion in the ever-growing world of information. Over the past year, we have entered into a very meaningful and beneficial partnership with CAN TV. In September 2000, CAN TV provided on-site orientation to the coordinators of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center and affiliate community groups including our alternative high school, the Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School; our literacy program, the Family Literacy Program (FLC); our AIDS education and prevention program, Vida/SIDA; and our Boricua National Human Rights Network. Since that orientation, we have cemented a partnership, which is self-evident in the following: • A video class […] Read More
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
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
