National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP)

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Board of Directors
José R. Sánchez
   Chair
Edgar DeJesus
   Secretary
Israel Colon
   Treasurer
Maria Rivera
   Development Chair

Hector Figueroa

Tanya K. Hernandez
 Angelo Falcón
   President


 

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NiLP Note: Given the depth of the debt and humanitarian crisis facing the 3.5 million people of Puerto Rico, many in the Puerto Rican community found it strange that the case of Puerto Rico never made it to the stage of the Democratic National Convention this week. Even the speech by Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez, a strong supporter of independence for Puerto Rico and a high profile champion on Island issues in te Congres,s made no reference to the crisis facing the Island during his speech at the convention. Gutierrez, by the way, is the only Latino member of the Democratic National Committee's Platform Committee.
 
In terms of the DNC Platform this year, this is their position on Puerto Rico:
 
Fighting for the People of Puerto Rico
 
And we are committed to addressing the extraordinary challenges faced by our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico. Many stem from the fundamental question of Puerto Rico's political status. Democrats believe that the people of Puerto Rico should determine their ultimate political status from permanent options that do not conflict with the Constitution, laws, and policies of the United States. Democrats are committed to promoting economic opportunity and good-paying jobs for the hardworking people of Puerto Rico. We also believe that Puerto Ricans must be treated equally by Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs that benefit families. Puerto Ricans should be able to vote for the people who make their laws, just as they should be treated equally. All American citizens, no matter where they reside, should have the right to vote for the President of the United States. Finally, we believe that federal officials must respect Puerto Rico's local self-government as laws are implemented and Puerto Rico's budget and debt are restructured so that it can get on a path towards stability and prosperity.
 
Labor activist José La Luz offers the following explanation for this DNC inattention to the crisis facing Puerto Rico . . .
 
--- Angelo Falcón
 
Blames the PNP and the PPD
for Silence on Puerto Rico Debt Crisis
José La Luz said this was the result of the
infighting between the two groups affecting
the  Democratic Convention
By José A. Delgado
El Nuevo Día (July 30, 2016)
translated from Spanish by NiLP
 
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Activist and trade unionist José La Luz yesterday denounced the silence on the platform of the Democratic presidential convention on Puerto Rico, at a time when the Island is undergoing its greatest fiscal crisis, the result of infighting between the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) and New Progressive Party (PNP).
 
"I found it outrageous that nothing was discussed concerning Puerto Rico on the stage of the convention," said La Luz.
 
Brief discussions on the island occurred in the forums of the Hispanic Caucus on Tuesday and Thursday, but not before the plenary session of the convention when the delegates were attentive to the program being covered by the television networks.
 
In addition to discussions in the Hispanic Caucus of the Democratic Party, the other intervention was itself La Luz, who gave a combative speech to the Democratic Socialist Caucus to denounce the exclusion in the convention program and on the stage of the convention of the theme of the fiscal and debt crisis of zPuerto Rico, the need to promote a process of decolonization and release the political prisoner Oscar López Rivera after 35 years in US jails.
 
"The difference between a liberal and a progressive is that you stand against colonialism," said La Luz.
 
Democratic convention program ignored demands to include references to the need to decolonize the Island and on the support of the petition for clemency made by López Rivera.
 
Bernie Sanders' delegates held up shirts for the release of López Rivera when the President of the Puerto Rico;s Democratic Party, Roberto Prats, announced the votes of the Island's delegates on Tuesday.
 
Several of them wore T-shirts opposing the federal Fiscal Control Board and for release and Lopez Rivera during the day on Wednesday. That day they also held a demonstration outside the press room at the convention.
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The NiLP Report on Latino Policy & Politics is an online information service provided by the National Institute for Latino Policy. For further information, visit www.latinopolicy. org. Send comments to editor@latinopolicy.org.