News (Noticias) for Puerto Rico

Back in 2005, Mayor Bloomberg told swanky Fifth Avenue apartment buildings not to board up their doors and windows during the parade because it was insulting. And last year, there were over 200 arrests at the parade, though there were questions over whether the arrests were warranted (some accused the police of sweeping up people, the police said many were involved with gangs).”*

Hillary Rodham Clinton won big in Puerto Rico. She got 68 percent of the vote, to Barack Obama’s 32. But while the Clinton campaign was hoping for a large showing of at least 700,000 voters, the turnout was a poor 16 percent, with fewer than 400,000 Puerto Ricans voting.

So instead of walking away with half a million votes, Clinton wound up with fewer than 300,000. Not bad, but not quite enough to make her popular-vote argument convincing, based on her own criterion.

Clinton also walked away from Puerto Rico with about 38 delegates to Obama’s 17. She’s now 203 delegates short of the nomination, compared with Obama’s 45, with the last two primaries taking place today. Without the popular-vote argument, Clinton’s sunk. And Puerto Rico, despite giving her that big percentage win, could be considered the culprit because of the poor turnout.”*

by Angelo Falcón - president and founder of the National Institute for Latino Policy and co-editor of the book “Boricuas in Gotham: Puerto Ricans and the Making of Modern New York City.

But there’s another strong message that Puerto Rico’s electorate sent to Washington. Despite all the attention and furor the Democratic presidential campaign has stirred in the 50 states, less than 15% of Puerto Rico’s registered voters turned out. Such numbers reveal the deep ambivalence many Puerto Ricans feel about their political relationship with the U.S. How else can you explain that close to 10,000 independence supporters marched noisily through Old San Juan yesterday calling for a boycott of the entire primary? The small yet influential movement kept labeling the primary a colonial charade, then surprised everyone with the biggest political rally of the entire campaign.”*

Hillary Clinton easily won Puerto Rico’s presidential primary Sunday, according to network projections, a win she hoped would give her a desperately needed boost.

But Barack Obama’s camp shrugged off the result and predicted he’d soon clinch the Democratic nomination.

Clinton was expected to win Puerto Rico by a wide margin, and the long-anticipated outcome should do little to change the dynamics of the race.”*

During an evening Memorial Day service in old San Juan, Hillary Clinton spoke of the unfairness in U.S. policy toward Puerto Ricans who risk their lives in the U.S. military and have their voting rights stripped when they return home to the island. Clinton called the action “an injustice and an insult.”

Clinton’s message on a day when Americans honor those service men and women who gave their lives in combat was simple: every U.S. citizen should be given a right to vote.

“I believe it is long past time that we give the people of Puerto Rico - United States citizens all - an equal voice in the vote for the commander-in-chief who sends young Puerto Ricans to war.” “*

Bill Clinton urged Puerto Ricans on Wednesday to take advantage of their rare opportunity to affect the U.S. presidential election in a vote that has turned out to be key in the hunt for the Democratic nomination.

Barack Obama could win enough delegates to clinch the nomination if he wins at least 30 percent of the vote on Sunday. Hillary Rodham Clinton wants to pile up a big victory to back her claim of winning a majority of the primary popular vote nationwide.”*

On May 23, some anonymous actors left acid on a window of the SEIU union office on Mission St in Santa Cruz, and spraypainted the walls red and black with anarchy signs and revolutionary slogans:

“Solidarid@d Puerto Rico” SEIU is currently engaged in trying to break and control a nation-wide teachers’ strike against the puppet government of Puerto Rico, a US colony. This is a perfect example of the role unions inevitably play in co-opting, selling out, and even crushing real strikes and revolutionary upsurges. For more documentation of this treachery, visit pr.indymedia.org en espanol, or simply search the internet for “puerto rico teachers.”
“*

A broad coalition of activists will gather Wednesday, May 28 in New York City to express support for Puerto Rico’s embattled teachers and schoolchildren, to protest the decision of SEIU’s leadership to launch an attack on the existing teachers union and to exhort SEIU to cease this activity.

Rafael Feliciano Hernandez, President of the Federacion de Maestros de Puerto Rico (FMPR — the Puerto Rican teachers’ union) will be joined at the event by members of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), CUNY’s Professional Staff Congress (PSC), SEIU, the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and other local labor leaders, along with the National Nurses Organizing Committee (NNOC), community and religious organizations, local student activists, and concerned relatives of Island students.

WHAT: News Conference Insisting SEIU Cease Attacks on Teachers Union

WHO: Puerto Rican, Labor, Education, Religious and Progressive Activists

WHEN: Wednesday, May 28, 10:30 am

WHERE: Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, 475 Park Avenue South
at 32nd Street

SEIU — facing a well-publicized internal battle — begins its Convention in Puerto Rico next week in the shadow of its attempt to take over the Island’s 42,000-member teachers’ union. SEIU’s “raid” comes on the heels of sustained efforts by the Puerto Rico Teachers Union (FMPR) — united with parents and students — to fight against:

– horrific educational conditions
– privatization of schools
– the negative effects of “No Child Left Behind”
– government assaults on democratic school leadership committees
– repressive labor laws
– abysmal salaries — monthly average of $1600 with living costs higher
than those in the US.

After nearly three years of working without a contract, the teachers unanimously voted to strike in a mass union meeting of over 7,000 members in November 2007. While negotiations continued, sources report that SEIU leader Dennis Rivera was meeting with Puerto Rico Governor Anibal Acevedo Vila.

According to the New York Daily News, the Governor told Rivera that the teachers’ union is “yours to take.” Previously El Diaro-La Prensa reported that Rivera had discussed the teachers union with Acevedo in addition to possible SEIU monetary support for the Governor, who has recently been indicted on corruption charges.

The Puerto Rican government declared the teachers’ strike illegal, based on the vote alone — the actual strike was not called until late February 2008 — and moved to decertify FMPR. Almost simultaneously, SEIU announced that the Island’s union of school principals and supervisors was affiliating with SEIU — and would attempt to take over the teachers’ union.

In the aftermath of the 10 day strike that paralyzed the nation’s public schools with unprecedented support and participation from teachers, students and parents, FMPR continues its work as the representative of the Island’s teachers, negotiating with the government over school conditions while fighting for recognition as the bargaining unit.

The Delegate Assembly of New York City’s United Federation of Teachers (UFT) declared solidarity with the Puerto Rico teachers and voted unanimously to “support the Puerto Rican teachers in their struggle to be treated with dignity.” CUNY’s Professional Staff Congress (PSC) resolved to “participate in strike support efforts and solidarity with the striking teachers of the FMPR.” The struggle was discussed at NYC’s Central Labor Council, and the California Federation of Teachers, having sent funds already to support FMPR, plans to urge the AFT to do so as well.

SEIU leadership is in the midst of a tremendous internal struggle with sectors within the union advocating for greater member democracy. As these members engage President Andy Stern and other leaders inside the Convention Hall — ironically to be held in Puerto Rico — FMPR teachers will surely protest what they view as SEIU’s sabotage of the struggle for quality education on their island nation. SEIU leaders’ apparent collusion with the government/employer of teachers in Puerto Rico echoes similar accusations of what critics characterize as a recent trend toward “sweetheart deals” with employers in the private sector on the mainland.

Here in NY, 1199/SEIU, one of the international’s locals with an exemplary reputation as a progressive union, recently launched a series of attempted raids against the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), which represents Registered Nurses. These raids occur as NYSNA’s nurses battle hardened employers who are attempting to diminish nurses’ power as they advocate for quality care for their patients, further escalating the inter-union wars on the mainland.

Rather than destabilizing already difficult situations faced by unions — particularly in a nation such as Puerto Rico that has its own particularities — SEIU’s leaders need to focus on their members as they grapple with the difficult questions that face trade unionists today.
“*

1. So what exactly is Puerto Rico’s relationship with the rest of the United States and its role in the presidential elections?

Puerto Rico has for decades fielded delegations to the national conventions of both major political parties — the Democrats give the island relatively more delegate voting strength than the Republicans. But Puerto Rico is not a state, and it doesn’t cast votes in presidential elections and it is not allocated any votes in the electoral college.

Ceded by Spain to the United States in 1898, at the end of the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico is a semi-independent U.S. commonwealth that is associated with the U.S. but governs its own internal affairs. Puerto Rico residents were granted U.S. citizenship in 1917, and three decades later Congress allowed the island to elect its own governor. A 1952 law established Puerto Rico as a commonwealth. For years, the biggest political issue on the island has been whether it should become a state, become completely independent or maintain its current commonwealth status.”*

Columbus developer Casto said today it is entering the Puerto Rican commercial real-estate market in a $400 million venture with a current investment partner.

Casto Caribbean, a new Casto affiliate, has joined Commercial Centers Management of Puerto Rico in the purchase of 1.7 million square feet of retail and office space in the U.S. territory. The investment includes an office building in San Juan and nine retail properties located around Puerto Rico.”*

Johanna Delgado-Acevedo and Carla Restrepo at the University of Puerto Rico collected specimens of two common species of Puerto Rican frogs from nine sites in the northern regions of the island.

The sites were all subtropical, moist environments, but differed dramatically from one another in the amount of foliage present. Some were heavily forested, while others had barely any forest left at all. Collected frogs were X-rayed and had their bones measured.

Remarkably, the team found that frogs collected in habitats with foliage coverage of 20% or less were physically 5 to 10% smaller than those collected in habitats with 70% or more foliage cover. They also found that the frogs collected in more disturbed habitats had bodies that were less symmetrical than those in pristine areas.”*

What follows is a stop-by-stop diary of Hillary Clinton campaigning in Puerto Rico over the weekend from our campaign reporter who followed Clinton on the trip.”*

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton took to rural Puerto Rico on Tuesday, urging islanders to turn out in large numbers in a weekend presidential primary to give his wife Hillary a majority of the popular vote cast in all Democratic contests.

Speaking before some 300 workers of a uniform factory in this town in Puerto Rico’s central mountains, Clinton said his wife as president would move to allow Puerto Ricans to determine whether they should retain their commonwealth status with the United States, become a state or be independent.

Puerto Ricans now have a rare chance to help decide which candidate will face presumed Republican nominee John McCain in November, and Clinton said their future is at stake in Sunday’s primary.”*

Puerto Rico traditionally complains of being ignored by the rest of the United States, but that has just changed, if only for the moment. With a Democratic presidential primary to be held here on June 1, Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton began their Memorial Day weekend here in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean.

Clinton, now the clear underdog for the nomination, has been especially active, combining American and Latin American campaign techniques in hopes of demonstrating her strength in yet another Hispanic constituency. She has not only employed television and radio advertisements in Spanish and English, but also has sent batucada percussion ensembles and mobile loudspeakers playing reggaetón chants into the streets to spread her message.”*

Forget placards, stoic bodyguards and formal rallies. To win Puerto Rico’s presidential primary, both the Clinton and Obama camps are campaigning in the boisterous, face-to-face “boricua style” favored on this Caribbean island.

The June 1 vote will allocate 55 delegates and might finally give Illinois Sen. Barack Obama the number he needs to claim the Democratic nomination if he picks up enough superdelegates in the meantime. But rival Hillary Rodham Clinton is favored to win here, partly because she’s done better among Hispanics in previous primaries and partly because the New York senator already represents a lot of Puerto Ricans, many with relatives on the island.”*

The U.S. Caribbean territory of Puerto Rico can’t vote in the November presidential election. But Puerto Ricans are relishing a newfound clout in the race to see who will be the candidate of the Democratic party.

The island’s June 1 primary is the biggest Democratic contest left, with 55 delegates at stake and perhaps giving Sen. Hillary Clinton a last-gasp opportunity to claim victory in the popular vote.

The former first lady has performed strongly among Latinos. Sen. Barack Obama, who would be the first black U.S. president, has not fared that well in states with large Hispanic populations.”*

Former presidential rival turned supporter Bill Richardson will campaign this week for Barack Obama in Puerto Rico, 10 days before the Commonwealth holds its Democratic primary, a Richardson aide tells CNN.

Richardson, the governor of New Mexico and former Cabinet official, is one of the most prominent Hispanic politicians in the nation. He sought the Democratic presidential nomination, but dropped out of the race after a poor showing in the New Hampshire primary.”*

Some American companies – facing a crackdown on hiring illegal immigrants and difficulties in using temporary worker programs – are venturing south to solve their labor woes, to Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico is part of the United States, so its residents are American citizens.”*

For Kenneth D. McClintock, president of the Senate of Puerto Rico, the overriding issue is the political status of the island, which is now a U.S. territory. He would like to see Puerto Rico become the 51st state.

Congress has the ultimate say in the issue, but congressional leaders say they want the people of Puerto Rico to reach consensus on the their future.

McClintock backs legislation that would provide for a vote on whether to continue the current relationship with the U.S. or seek unspecified change, to be determined later”*

My co-paddler and I were in one of eight kayaks moving through a narrow mangrove lagoon outside the fishing village of La Parguera in southern Puerto Rico. Our destination was the famous bioluminescent bay, a natural phenomenon created by tiny organisms that glow as a protective mechanism - the better for predators to see other game.

It was so dark on this evening, we kayakers could hardly see our hands holding the oars. A scuffling in the dense bushes startled us. We heard a snort (a wild pig?) and brushed up against something hanging from a tree (a python?). A fish jumped in the water (a piranha?). And then a big crash as we butted up against a fellow kayaker - who was not amused as we laughed uncontrollably from relief, fear and from exhaustion. “*

While Puerto Ricans, who are U.S. citizens, help crown national nominees, their commonwealth status prevents them from casting ballots in the November presidential election.

“It’s ludicrous that people can participate in selecting a candidate for whom they cannot vote,” says Fernando Martín of the Independence Party of Puerto Rico, which is organizing a protest march for primary day. Other politicians are calling for a boycott of the vote.

Clinton, 60, is favored to win here, thanks to greater name recognition and involvement in hurricane relief, a base closure and legislation to resolve Puerto Rico’s status. The New York senator’s supporters hope high voter turnout and a big winning margin might boost her long-shot nomination chances.”*

Total 2008 ad investment expected to reach $767.4 million in real dollars; ad execs blame politics for economic woes; few bright spots offer relief.

“Advertising in a Recession” was the title of a panel discussion held during the early 1980s, when oil prices drove interest rates to more than 20%.”*

As Hillary Clinton’s bid for the Democratic presidential nomination loses steam on the mainland, it’s full speed ahead in Puerto Rico, which holds one of the last remaining primaries June 1.

Her focus on the island has some political observers wondering why. Clinton has fallen behind her opponent, Sen. Barack Obama, and it seems mathematically impossible for her to attain the number of delegates needed to lock the nomination in the handful of contests left.

Meanwhile, she continues to go after Puerto Rico’s 55 pledged delegates.”*

Now Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory for more than 100 years, has a place at the center of American political debate. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama are competing for 55 delegates to be chosen in a June 1 Democratic primary. The island also has eight superdelegates.

“We’re going to enjoy every minute of the attention,” the president of the Puerto Rican Senate, Kenneth D. McClintock, said during a recent visit to the nation’s capital.”*

Thousands of Puerto Ricans will finally see some kind of financial relief as the Puerto Rico Treasury Department begins to send out federal economic incentive checks to some 72,000 public workers Wednesday.

At a news conference in San Juan, Governor Aníbal Acevedo Vila announced that the first $59 million of some $1.282 billion in federal economic incentive payments will be deposited into the accounts of government workers who receive their regular salaries through “electronic direct deposits.” “*