At Locust Street Park today, Puerto Rican Americans rallied to promote the addition of Puerto Rico as 51st state of the United States. The rally coincided with various rallies around the country, including those in New York, New Jersey, and Washington DC.
Island residents were granted U.S. citizenship in 1917, yet they cannot vote in presidential elections, though Puerto Ricans living in the continental United States can.
Today's date also marks the birthdate of Dr. José Celso Barbosa (July 27, 1857 – September 21, 1921) a Puerto Rican physician, sociologist, and political leader known within Puerto Rico's New Progressive Party as the father of the "Statehood for Puerto Rico" movement.
7 comments:
Lets do it! Over half are here anyway.
Puerto Rico chose Statehood in November2008 and we've been waiting a long time since 1898. Now it's the time for Congress and the President to act and add us the 51st State of the Union!!!
Great!
Yesterday we marched for statehood for Puerto Rico ! Puerto Rican are US citizens and we choose on November 2012 Statehood for PR Mr. Presidente Barack Obama and congress act NOW ! To add Puerto Rico as a new State of the union ! CB
Correction in "November 2012"..
"When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty". Thomas Jefferson
On November 6th, 2012 approximately a million US citizens voted to end the current political relationship with the US no longer consenting to be under the territorial clause subjected to the authority of Congress. Concurrently, 61% of the voters favored the admittance of Puerto Rico as a State in the Union.
Legislation submitted by our Resident Commissioner to ratify a federally endorsed plebiscite to this effect has been to no avail.
Congress should act accordingly and submit legislation to protect and ensure the rights of the American Citizens of Puerto Rico. To disregard and delay action will violate the essence of our constitution and American Democracy.
The people of Puerto Rico overwhelmingly choose the Statehood Option. The Statehood movement will strive to be given the respect that the US citizens that reside in Puerto Rico deserve. We will use all lawful means available to bring about statehood to Puerto Rico.
This struggle will not end till our vote and civil rights are respected.
With all due respect,
Erwin D. Ferri
Since WWI, Puerto Ricans have fought in all of our country's military engagements; yet, we do not have the right to vote for our Commander-In-Chief
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