Photo Essay: The Power of Popular Protest: El Verano Boricua

:::::: Photo Essay ::::::

Photo Essay: The Power of Popular Protest: El Verano Boricua

Federico Cintrón-Moscoso and Vanessa Díaz
Text by Jean Hostetler-Díaz

In July and August 2019, hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans participated in a series of mass mobilizations in San Juan and municipalities across the island, demanding that officials be held accountable for their betrayal of the public trust and calling for the immediate resignation of Governor Ricardo “Ricky” Rosselló. These protests were triggered by the revelation of digital chats between the governor and his closest collaborators that included mocking those who died in Hurricane Maria, misogynistic comments, homophobic slurs, and remarks reflecting class bias.

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Introduction, Calles de la Resistencia: Pathways to Empowerment in Puerto Rico

:::::: Introduction ::::::

Calles de la Resistencia: Pathways to Empowerment in Puerto Rico

by Jean Hostetler-Díaz 

The Boricua (Puerto Rican) heritage is one of resistance and valiant defense of freedom. From the initial, violent Spanish conquest of Borinquen (the island’s original name), the realities of domination and oppression by hostile invading armies confronted an organic consciousness of liberation within the indigenous culture. From the initial, violent Spanish conquest, the realities of domination and oppression by hostile invading armies confronted an organic consciousness of liberation within the indigenous culture. Puerto Ricans have always resisted, organized, and taken action against their oppressors and against their colonization in all its forms. It has been a centuries-long, life-and-death struggle, with brutally repressive policies and other methods of suppression and control constantly attempting to defeat the forces of resistance. At various times, conditions have reached critical mass, and a clear confrontation of forces has occurred. Last summer that point was reached when the forces of resistance became abundantly visible and their power obvious. Ultimately, this sustained collective uprising, now known as El Verano Boricua (The Puerto Rican Summer), directly and triumphantly challenged state authority.

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