Los estudiantes en huelga del Recinto de Río Piedras de la Universidad de Puerto Rico que realizan actos de desobediencia civil sintieron la pasada semana cómo la Policía de Puerto Rico ha intensificado las técnicas de tortura que utiliza para arrestarlos.

Información relacionada y más fotos en páginas centrales Vídeos en www.claridadpuertorico.com

Rodillas sobre la cabeza de los detenidos para presionarlos sobre el pavimento, dejarle caer con fuerza las rodillas sobre sus espaldas, presión intensa en la nuca, debajo de las orejas, en la sien y en la garganta, dobladuras de brazos y manos, entre otras, han sido modalidades de abusos que ha implementado los efectivos de la división de Arrestos Especiales y de la Fuerza de Choque aún cuando los arrestados ya están esposados. Luego arrastran por el piso a los que se niegan a caminar hasta el vehículo que los transportará a los cuarteles, en incluos se ha visto a algunos policías agredir sexualmente a las jóvenes arrestadas que se encolerizan y comienzan a gritar, tocando sus partes íntimas.

Esas han sido las imágenes que la Fuerza de Choque ha intentado que no se documenten, parándose frente a los lentes de los fotoperiodistas y periodistas que buscando el ángulo para ver cómo se realizan los arrestos para luego describirlos, han sido agredidos. Es así es como se han formado los policías en las fuertes confrontaciones con estudiante, llegando incluso a agredir a los trabajadores de la prensa.

La evidente intención de la Policía de causar dolor desproporcionado a los arrestados es lo que exacerba los ánimos de los estudiantes que piquetean frente a sus compañeros desobedientes civiles y presencian el abuso policial.En los actos de desobediencia civil que realizaron los estudiantes el pasado jueves 27 de enero frente al Capitolio, se vio cómo la Policía ha incrementado el uso de técnicas de tortura sometiendo a los estudiantes a varias de ellas a la vez y por varios policías. Hubo el caso de una joven que tras apretarle tan fuerte debajo de las orejas se desmayó y la Policía la esposó aún sin haber recobrado el conocimiento.

Ese día, los huelguistas habían llegado a eso de las 12:30 de la tarde de hasta la Legislatura donde encontraron cerradas las puertas de la entrada principal y policías que se fueron colocando frente a ellos. Al menos 30 estudiantes se sentaron al inicio de las escalinatas del Capitolio para realizar desobediencia civil. Portaron cartelones, algunos que leían “los chavos están en OGP”, o “esto es por mí, esto es por ti, esto es por tu país”. La líder estudiantil Xiomara Caro explicó que los estudiantes fueron a presentar a los legisladores un proyecto de ley por petición que consistía en que los $50 millones sobrantes del Fondo de Estabilización Fiscal (FEF) se asignara al presupuesto de la UPR para así evitar la cuota de $800 y el problema de la accesibilidad a la Universidad, dos de las razones del conflicto universitario. Solicitaban que algún legislador tomara el proyecto “y lo aprueben” como se ha hecho con otros tantos que se han aprobado de la noche a la mañana o fines de semana. Sólo el representante por el Partido Popular Dencrático, Luis Vega Ramos, se acercó a ellos y se comprometió a estudiar el proyecto y presentarlo. Mientras tanto, los desobedientes esperaban por una delegación del Comité de Representación Estudiantil (CRE) que había entrado temprano en la mañana al Capitolio con intenciones de explicar a los legisladores su proyecto. El CRE insiste a su vez en que además de los $50 millones del FEF, la legislatura destine al presupuesto de la UPR los $30 millones en becas legislativas en lugar de a estudiantes individuales, porque así no se incrementarán los costos de estudio. Con esas dos propuestas estudiantiles la UPR recibiría $80 millones, el doble de lo que la administración universitaria espera recibir de la cuota de $800 por estudiante, según ha dicho.

Cerca de las 2:15 pm los estudiantes, que ya habían advertido estar dispuestos a que se les arrestara, movieron su acto de desobediencia civil a la Avenida Constitución, al lado sur del Capitolio, no sin antes escuchar a Caro decir que se retiraban del lugar pero que en la medida en que no había oídos para una solución al conflicto “las manifestaciones y la huelga continuarán”. Otros se sentaron en el Paseo Covadonga, bloqueando el tránsito de todos los carriles en ambos lados. A eso de las 3:00 PM comenzaron a producirse los arrestos en la Avenida Constitución por órdenes del capitán González. Empleados del Capitolio salieron a gritar a los estudiantes “paguen la cuota”, lo que por poco provoca otro motín adicional. Por otro lado, un policía de apellido Cortés, placa 24619, que se encontraba al otro lado de la calle, le quitó el seguro a su arma e hizo amague de desenfundarla contra uno de los estudiantes. Pero un grupo de estudiantes lo siguió hasta que se alejó. Otro policía, de apellido Clemente, placa 30944, le dio con la macana en la mano a una estudiante que le enseñó el proyecto de ley que los estudiantes habían llevado al Capitolio.
A las 3:50 pm la Fuerza de Choque se atravesó en la Ave. Constitución empujando a los estudiantes hacia el Paseo Covadonga donde se encontraba el otro grupo de desobedientes civiles. A las 4:30 PM y tras éstos no ser arrestados, se movieron nuevamente a la Avenida Constitución evadiendo el bloqueo policial. La Fuerza de Choque la emprendió contra ellos con gas pimienta directamente rociada a la cara de los estudiantes. Luego los empujaron con sus escudos y lanzando los gases lacrimógenos. Los estudiantes intentaron evadirlos y les devolvieron con los pies las bombas de humo. También les tiraron algunas botellas de agua y piedras y comenzaron a correr. La Fuerza de Choque, dividida en varias escuadras, atravesó la calle de lado a lado para perseguirlos. Según llegaban más efectivos de la Fuerza de Choque continuaban formándose a todo lo ancho de la calle dejando un amplio espacio entre cada escuadra, penetrando algunos las calles aledañas, lo que se convirtió en un despliegue abarcador. Entonces se colocaron máscaras antigases y se fueron disparando indiscriminadamente con escopetas lanza gases y de balas de goma, mientras a su paso viraban zafacones y rompían bolsas de basura. Los residentes comenzaron a salir a la calle. La directora de un colegio y una égida en esa avenida que se identificó como “hermana Rose Marie González”, cuestionó de frente a la Fuerza de Choque por sus acciones. “Parece que estamos viviendo una dictadura”, les decía mientras explicaba que los estudiantes del Colegio se encontraban en la cancha al momento de los disparos y tuvieron que ser movidos al interior del colegio para tranquilizarlos. Igual reclamó respeto para los residentes de la égida. “Cualquiera diría que estamos en una guerra”, añadió.

Sobre 30 estudiantes fueron arrestados esa tarde, sumándose a los sobre 100 que fueron arrestados la semana anterior por negarse a rendir sus reclamos de que la Policía salga de la Universidad y por una educación superior pública al menor costo posible.

Perla Franco/ CLARIDAD

The spreading of exaggerations, distortions and outright falsehoods is a commonplace tactic of those in power. In the past several weeks, the international freedom campaign for Puerto Rican political prisoner Oscar López Rivera has suffered numerous attacks from the mainstream press and conservative pundits. López Rivera has been incarcerated since 1981 for his involvement in the Puerto Rican independence movement, a cause legitimated by international law and the United Nations protocol on decolonization. Before his imprisonment, he served as a community activist and founder of numerous grassroots community and educational organizations in Chicago. Though López Rivera counts on widespread support within the Puerto Rican/Latino community and progressive sectors around the globe, recent attacks by the Right have attempted to sabotage his appearance before the U.S. Parole Commission.

Using various media outlets, the opposition has tried to shift the debate through sensationalistic articles and opt-eds. The most recent article, published in the Sun Times, represents another propaganda piece masquerading as journalism. In the article, “Gutierrez pushes for release of imprisoned former Chicago FALN leader,” author Dave Mckinney advances unsubstantiated and ideologically-motivated claims, which virtually – and this I suspect is no coincidence – the official line of the F.B.I. and broader ‘intelligence’ community. This most recent article, just as those that preceded it, have displaced the facts, drawn convenient connections without evidence, and constructed an ‘objective’ narrative devoid of journalist integrity. This, of course, is not surprising and to be expected. Notwithstanding, it is important to set these falsifications straight and maintain the legitimacy and humanity of the campaign to free Oscar López Rivera.

One of the consistent threads in opposition articles is the fallacious attribution of a host of actions to López Rivera. For instance, he is accused of planning and executing the 1974 bombing of Fraunces Traven. To be clear, there is no evidence tying López Rivera to this event. But conservative commentators will not be deterred by something as troublesome as ‘evidence.’ In their eyes, López Rivera is guilty; no matter what the evidence supports or what his conviction is based on. They obviously hold in contempt the old adage: innocent until proven guilty. What they want is for López Rivera to remain in jail for virtually the duration of his life regardless of the facts of the case. The opposition operates by a different code: guilt by suspected association. Though they have tried to muddle the truth, I should firmly stress that López Rivera was not convicted of harming anyone or causing bloodshed.

Right wing attacks against López Rivera’s campaign ignore the fact that he was convicted of “seditious conspiracy” and related charges. It is important to note that in the 20th century, this highly-political charge was almost exclusively used against Puerto Ricans advocating for Puerto Rican independence and other progressive, liberatory movements. One of the immense and tragic ironies of the case is the fact that Oscar López Rivera was convicted of the exact same charge as Nelson Mandela. While the U.S. government (now) hails Mandela as a symbol of freedom, López Rivera is depicted as an “unrepentant separatist” bent on violence. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Thus contrary to the claims of U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, López Rivera is not a fanatical endorser of violence. In fact, he and all of the now freed Puerto Rican political prisoners have – on numerous occasions – renounced violence and have expressed a deep commitment to resolving Puerto Rico’s colonial status through civic means. Former President Clinton, who released 11 Puerto Ricans incarcerated for “seditious conspiracy” and offered to release López Rivera after an additional 10 years, affirmed publically that these individuals posed no threat to civil society. In contrast to the false allusions circulating the internet, López Rivera did not reject Clinton’s offer due to a commitment to violence. The truth of the matter is simply he did

not want to accept an offer not extended to all his co-defendants.

Each of the articles and blogs postings advocating the continued incarceration of López Rivera have unsuccessfully tried to wash away the wide and broad-based support for his release. In the past several months, over 20,000 letters of support have been sent to the Parole Commission. Support is also quite diverse, including community leaders, cultural workers, professors, politicians, family, and the public at large. As seen in the recent McKinney article, supporters of his release, like Congressman Luis Gutiérrez, have begun to be attacked directly in the press. The opposition fails not only to recognize the legitimacy of support, but also the fact that supporters like Gutiérrez are not alone. This freedom campaign counts on the expressed support of Congresspersons José Serrano and Nydia Velázquez (both of NY), Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi, former Puerto Rico governor, Anibal Acevedo Vilá, mayors from across the island of Puerto Rico and elected officials from the following U.S. states: New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Ohio. Moreover, he has received the support of Nobel Peace Prize honoree South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and religious leaders throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

For the past three decades – twelve of which spent in a sensory depravation unit – Oscar López Rivera has been confined inside prison walls. Though he was never convicted of taking a life or harming anyone, he has received a longer prison sentence typically given for murder, rape, or child molestation. A parole appointed examiner recently recommended that López Rivera serve an additional 15 years. Mind you, he is already 68 years old. In addition to attempting to erase the facts of his case, they have also tried to erase the fact that López Rivera is an accomplished writer, thinker and artist. They willfully ignore his history of community activism, his Bronze Medal of Honor received in Vietnam, and his life work of fighting for a more equitable and humanistic world. His family and the Nation of Puerto Rico desperately await his return to his homeland. His continued incarceration is a human rights violation of the first order. It is time to bring Oscar López Rivera home. Anything less is a grave injustice, motivated not by the facts of his case, but by an ideological agenda opposed to freedom. Free Oscar!

To support and learn more about the
Oscar López Rivera Freedom Campaign
visit: www.boricuahumanrights.org.

Commentary by Michael Rodríguez Muñiz

Hormigueros is a small town located in the western region of the great island of the archipelago, Puerto Rico. It has a population of 16,856 inhabitants of which 5,900 constitute the labor force. Its inhabitants are known by the demonym “hormiguereños”. Its patron saint, according to the Catholic tradition, is the Virgin of the Monserrate and her day is celebrated on the 8 of September.

This colorful town is known by the moniker “the town of the miracle,” due to the alleged appearance of the Virgin; “The cradle of the emancipatory one”, because it was there were Segundo Ruiz Belvis, defender of the independence of Puerto Rico in the days of Spain and fundamental figure in the abolition of slavery was born; and “the heart of the west”, by its location. It was founded on April 1, 1874 and is constituted by six districts: Benavante, Lavadero, Guanajibo, Jagüitas, Hormigueros [Town] and Hormigueros [District].

For the origin of the name two main versions are presented. The first one talks about the great amount of people who would meet to celebrate the festival in honor of the Virgin of the Monserrate on September 8th, “an ‘anthill’ or hormiguero of people.” The second, to the topographic formation of the land that conforms it, made up of many hills that seem like the small knolls that ants form to live. Another version talks about the origin of the name of the town of “oromico” the indigenous word, which means “Gold River.” At present, the town of Hormigueros is directed and administered by the Honorable Mayor Pedro J. Figueroa, great Puerto Rican and defender of culture and native values.

From here, from the mother country of all, the heart of the west, Hormigueros and their honorable mayor invite all the Boricuas and Latin American residents in Chicago and bordering areas as well as to all the members of the Puerto Rican and Latin American diasporas in the United States, so that they meet in the 18th Celebration of the Puerto Rican festival “Bandera a Bandera” in the city of Chicago, on September 5, 2011. That day, the town of Hormigueros will bring to you the “best of our town”.

Carlos Quíles,
La Voz del Paseo Boricua

José Sanchez was named president and CEO of Norwegian American Hospital not more than a month ago, however he already has comprehensive plan on how to improve the hospital’s quality of care. To his new leadership position Sanchez brings over 30 years of experience in the health-care field, including a position as CEO of Lincoln Hospital located in the South Bronx, New York. As he begins a new chapter of his life and career in Chicago, Sanchez looks forward to facing challenges and embracing opportunities.

What attracted you to work at Norwegian Hospital?

I have spent my entire career working in safety net hospitals and communities with many health disparities. I am committed to the mission of the safety net institution, which is to provide care to poor communities, and hospitals like Norwegian that serves the Humboldt Park community are very attractive to me. I feel pretty much at home here and integrated into the community. I have received a very good welcoming here which makes things much better. Norwegian American Hospital faces the same challenges that safety net hospitals face across the nation like bringing in additional services to meet the needs of the underserved and the poor. I feel comfortable in this type of environment.

You have said you are “committed to pursuing collaborative and innovative solutions to combat the health care challenges of the communities the hospital serves.” What kind of collaborations to you have in mind? Do you plan on collaborating with any of the health initiatives of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center?

My first week here I visited the Puerto Rican Cultural Center and they had a presentation about treating the Latino community in a culturally competent way, focusing on mental health issues and that is something that I will continue to work with them on. There may also be other opportunities to collaborate with the Puerto Rican Cultural Center. There are also asthma and diabetes initiatives in the community I would like to work with. I’ve also began a discussion with Erie Family Health Center to collaborate to make sure patients can stay in the community to receive medical care rather than leave the community.

Some community members have mentioned frustration over extra long waiting times in the emergency of Norwegian Hospital. How do you plan to address this issue?

There isn’t any emergency room in any county or any city where people don’t wait for some time. Having worked in safety net institutions, one of the things we try to do is to move away from the the use of the physicians in the emergency room department as primary care physicians, which often happens because  patients don’t follow up with appointments.  We need to begin to address this issue through health promotion and education. At Norwegian Hospital we have just put in a new team of emergency room physicians who started at the beginning of October. This will hopefully make a difference. We are also tracking wait times. Our goal is that individuals should not wait more than an hour in the E.R before being sent to the triage and be treated.

What do you forward to in your new position as CEO of Norwegian?

There are a number of initiatives I have, what I consider my vision. There are five specific areas that are important to me for this hospital:

• Focusing on doing well in the Joint Commission, which is the body that accredits hospitals around the United States.They give something like a report card that shows if the quality of care of a hospital meets and exceeds high standards.
• Finance—Getting financial assistance from the government
• Physician engagement—Being able to attract physicians that have the drive and motivation to work with underserved populations and have an emphasis on public health

• Community engagement —Bringing together all the stakeholders in the community and identifying the diseases that are prevalent in the community and developing a strategyto address them
• Focusing on the area of information technology —Having a state of the art medical record system that’s online.

What are some challenges you see in your future at Norwegian?

There are a number of challenges, but I also refer to them as opportunities. We need to bring additional patients into the hospital and retain our current patient base. We need to focus on improving our quality and financially stabilizing this institution that forecasts deficits. We are hoping that stakeholders and elected officials will help to get necessary finances that will help us to continue to focus on developing programs that address the needs of the residents of this area.

What does it mean to you to be the first Puerto Rican/ Latino to run a hospital in Chicago?

I didn’t know I was the first Latino in Chicago; I certainly wasn’t the first in New York. It’s an honor to be here, but I think I will feel more of honored to be the first Latino that will have a successful career here. If we are able to maintain and grow here I think there will be pride about having the first Latino to run a hospital. My pride will be in making this a successful hospital and the hospital choice for the community we serve.

When you are not in charge of a hospital, how do you spend your time?

Since I moved to Chicago at the beginning of this month and officially started at Norwegian on the 18th what I have been doing in my spare time, which is limited, is spending a lot in time in the Humboldt Park community. I’ve gone to eat at Coco’s restaurant. I’m also trying to put together my new apartment. I’m getting to know people here, meeting with elected officials, and just getting to know the city of Chicago, which is so much different from New York.

Interview by Marisol Rodríguez

Hundreds of volunteers collect 12,500 signatures in under 20 days.

In a strong demonstration of support, more than 12,500 residents from across Chicago signed petitions nominating Reverend Wilfredo De Jesus for Mayor of the City of Chicago. The amount of signatures collected will allow De Jesus to appear on the ballot in the February municipal elections.

In a testament to his ground operation and how his message has resonated with Chicago voters, this milestone was reached only 19 days after he announced his candidacy for Mayor at a rally in Humboldt Park before hundreds of supporters.
De Jesus plans to continue to collect signatures until the November 22nd deadline to ensure he is able to withstand any petition challenges, a typical practice during the Chicago election process.

“I want to thank every one of the hundreds of volunteers that cared about the future of Chicago enough to spend their free time at train stations, bus stops and walking neighborhoods across the city collecting signatures for my candidacy. With your efforts you bring back not only signatures but the voice and hope of the people of Chicago that things can get better” stated De Jesus.

Marilyn Morales, a Boricua raised in Humboldt Park, is campaigning diligently for the position of City Clerk. Morales took time to share a little about herself and her interest in running for City Clerk with our readers.

La Voz –Tell us a little bit about yourself
MM: I am a native Chicagoan born and raised in Humboldt Park to Puerto Rican parents.I am a product of the Chicago Public School system graduating from Kelvyn Park High School in 1980. I obtained my B.S. from Aurora College and acquired a Masters in Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1994. I am the mother of three great kids and I currently live in the Northwest side of Chicago. I have over 20 years of public service employment experience. I started off with the Illinois Department of Human Rights and then, I worked at the University of Illinois at Chicago. For the past 16 years, I have worked for the Chicago Park District. I also worked at the Association House during the time that Miguel Del Valle was the director. I am on the Vida/Sida Advisory Board and served on the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture (IPRAC)
Board of Directors. In addition, I am a Puerto Rican Agenda member, co-founder of
Boricua Pride and became a Metropolitan Leadership Institute Fellow in 2008. I love
Paseo Boricua, café, and I love to read!

La Voz – What does the City Clerk’s office do and why are you running for City Clerk?
MM: City Clerk’s Office is the second highest ranking office in the city. It is responsible for maintaining all the official records of city government. Additionally, it
is responsible for issuing business, liquor and other city licenses, and distributing city stickers, passports, and dog licenses. I am running for City Clerk because I believe I have the leadership, organizational, and management skills necessary to do the job. I am exceptionally qualified and possess the skills necessary to run that department effectively and efficiently. I would like to continue to expand the se vices provided and make the office more
accessible, transparent, and responsive
to the public.

La Voz – Tell us about your campaign
MM: Right now the big job is to collect 12,500 signatures, so we are pounding the streets getting signatures. This is a local grassroots effort to get me on the ballot and
we need every Chicago registered voter available to sign my petition. Our volunteers
are wonderful people from all over the city who want to give me an opportunity to run for this office, and I am excited about the overwhelming amount of support from different organizations. They all believe in my genuine interest and commitment to the people of this city, and they are doing all that they can to collect signatures. I am very grateful to all who have been encouraging and supportive of my effort to run for City Clerk. Anyone who is interested in volunteering can e-mail us at marilynmorales@marilynforcityclerk.org.

It always baffled me when friends and colleagues of mine would see me outside of the fluid boundaries of Humboldt Park and comment, “Oh wow, you’re outside the two flags!” While such remarks are made in fairly good-humor, they are more telling about the deep-seated feelings about people who do community work. In other words, “those activists” are too narrow-minded or insular; they do not experience or understand the world outside a few blocks, which of course, is bad. All in all, a sentiment of “I could never do that kind of work, because I’ll end up like that” is felt. That kind of idea only damages the possibilities of maintaining and expanding work that seeks to improve the lives of community residents. And more importantly, those who get hurt the most in the process are the very residents themselves.

Just recently, I traveled outside the neighborhood to attend the Puerto Rican Studies Association Conference in Hartford, Connecticut. Although I listened to the work of the Puerto Rican intelligentsia, which for me proved that our communities can also produce great scholars and intellectuals, I also wanted to understand what connections could be drawn between academia and the people they study. This faraway New England city always peeked my interest due to its very large Puerto Rican community, which, in terms of proportion, is the second largest in the U.S. Plus, the mayor and much of the political establishment is led by Boricuas. Therefore a few friends and I ventured outside the walls of the swanky hotel where the conference was held to see what links could be made between Paseo Boricua and Park Street, the economic and cultural center for the Hartfordian Boricua.

As we walked down Park Street, there were visible signs of urban decay and poverty: the multiple young men, walking around with seemingly nothing to do and some “run-down” homes and buildings. Of course, this is what outsiders too often focus on, especially when visiting communities of color. What is most important and amazing, and perhaps sometimes even overlooked by community workers and academics, were the distinct signs of economic and cultural development. Block after block there were small business ventures that included everything from restaurants and cafes, to bookstores, record shops, and jewelers. As I entered these places of business, it was obvious that they were all owned by Puerto Rican and Latina/o longtime residents who also employed longtime local residents of color.

Social networks and civic engagement seemed to be rich, with residents conversing with each other as they walked down the street and in cafes, and some passing out information on electoral candidates. Furthermore, there were multiple buildings that have been reconstructed to look like structures in Viejo San Juan, with pastel-colored façades and iron-gate balconies. The neighborhood also included murals and community centers that depicted cultural and political themes of the island. Yes, social ills existed, but there was a community that was economically vibrant and culturally puertorriqueño – an important place in which to continue addressing the problems we face as a nation.

In Humboldt Park, we are also developing our community on our own terms, similar to that of Hartford, by holistically intersecting economics, politics, health, housing, and education within the framework of Puerto Rican identity. All this is done with the idea that in a racist and classist society, how can we own the places we live in, create a legitimate internal economy, and address the issues that affect us. Thus, to those that say that community workers are too “stuck” in Humboldt Park, I say that it takes a strong connection and sense of rootedness in your own community to truly appreciate and understand what others have built and to create a common agenda that will lift us all up as a people.

by Xavier “Xavi” Luis Burgos

The following is a statement by Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL):

When I make important decisions I try to think about Roberto Clemente.

Roberto Clemente had everything.  A great career.  A rifle arm.  A big contract.  Fans who adored him.

And yet, he risked it all to help others.  He made a decision that was entirely unselfish.  A decision about the greater good of his people.  He took on the dictator of Nicaragua, got on a small plane, overloaded with relief supplies, flew into a storm – and gave his life for others.

I’m not here to compare myself to Clemente.  Not at all. Few people will ever earn that comparison.  But I am here to say that as I think about making a decision like running for Mayor of Chicago, I try to learn from his example.

And the example he set was this: when you make a decision, do it based on what is best for your people.

I love the City of Chicago.  I would love to be Mayor of the City of Chicago, and I believe I could do great things for people.  For Latinos, for African-Americans, for immigrants, for gays and lesbians, for every person in Chicago who wants a better future for themselves and their families.
I believe I could make a difference.

And I believe our campaign is in very strong shape.  We have lots of funding, and commitments for more.  We have plenty of signatures on petitions.  We have enthusiasm and support and volunteers.  We have a poll that says we are in a very strong position and that the Latino community in particular would rally to my candidacy.

It’s an exciting and important opportunity.

And so I have weighed that excitement and that opportunity and that possibility alongside of my current opportunity.  And my current obligation.

I’m honored to serve in Congress.  My constituents have sent me back many times.  I take their trust seriously.  I’m humbled by it.

And across this nation, immigrants are counting on me too.  The people I’ve talked about today in detail.  The people I’ve met in Jersey City and Tampa, in El Paso and San Jose, in Cleveland and Phoenix.

Today, our immigrant community is under attack – but we’re fighting back.  And I am fortunate enough to be on the frontlines of the battle.  Fortunate to stand up for families that are being torn apart and moms and dads who are being deported.  To have a direct line to the President of the United States to say “you have to do more.”  To go to Phoenix to say “what you are doing here is unjust and must be stopped.”  To walk the streets of Pilsen and Little Village and give people hope.

To debate anti-immigrant lead
ers wherever we find them – from the ballot box to the television talk shows.

It’s a tough time for those of us who believe in fairness for immigrants.  But history is not written by those who give up.

And history is not written by those who change battles in the middle of the
fight.

Today I tell you that I have an obligation to all of my constituents and all of the immigrant families I have met and learned from across this country.  I have an obligation to not give up the fight for fairness, for justice and for finally passing comprehensive immigration reform.

I have an obligation not to give up on the fight I’ve already begun.

I have unfinished business to complete.

So I will not be a candidate for Mayor of the City of Chicago.

This is an extremely difficult decision, and I thank with all my heart the people who have been working so hard and supporting my candidacy.

But it is a decision I make knowing it is the right thing to do.   There is one and only one reason I am not running — I’m already engaged in the most important battle I can commit my energy and time and devotion to winning.  I am one-hundred percent committed to fighting for fairness and justice for immigrants, and to continue the battle for comprehensive immigration reform.

Standing up for immigrants, and finishing this battle, and winning this fight is far more important than whatever personal disappointment I might feel in not making the race for Mayor of the City of Chicago.

I love Chicago.  I’ve reached out to other candidates today to tell them I’m not running and to wish them well.  I will be engaged in this race and will still be a voice for fairness for all of the people of Chicago.  For jobs.  For better schools.  For safe streets.

But I will be that voice while I continue my obligations as Congressman and my crusade for comprehensive immigration reform.

I know today – that even though I believe we would have mounted a great campaign, an important campaign, a winning campaign – this is the right decision for the people I represent and for people who count on me.

So I thank you.  Today is not the end of a fight – it’s the continuation of a struggle for justice – and I invite all of you to join me in this very important crusade.   Because with all of you – together – we will win.

Thank you very much.

(Press Release 10/2010)

After nine years of struggle to save one of Chicago’s largest and oldest murals, the Puerto Rican community of Humboldt Park is closer to wining the right to the contentious adjacent lot. On Wednesday, September 27th, Raul Echevarria, Deputy Director of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, received word that the Chicago City Council Committee on Real Estate approved a two-year lease of the lot. The lease will now go before the full City Council for a vote in October. “Once the lease is approved we can begin development of the lot into a garden with GreenCor, a group assigned by the City to develop the landscape elements to the lot”, said Echevarria.  If all goes as planed the garden could be completed by mid November, weather permitting. According to Echevarria, the Puerto Rican Cultural Center will hold title of the lease. “During the two year period of the lease, the City will begin a process of officially transferring title of the lot to the Puerto Rican Cultural Center”, Echevarria stated.

Back in 2001, after completing plans to restore the mural and develop the adjacent lot, a committee made up of various community organizations (including the Near Northwest Neighborhood Network, Architreasures, the Puerto Rican Cultural Center) and residents attempted to negotiate with the developer who owned the lot, to sell it to the committee. The developer had laid a foundation to build a condominium that would block sight of the mural.  By 2003, negotiations had failed and the deve
loper started construction of the condo. This sparked highly publicized protests by the community members that included the involvement of the then Alderman of the 26th Ward Billy Ocasio. Subsequently, the protesters stopped construction on three occasions. Finally, the City was able to gain control of the site in 2007. Yet restoration could not begin until the City was able to settle the question of stewardship of the property that would insure that the project would be completed and maintained.

“I remember being ten years old, driving with my father and we would always pass that mural. It was kind of creepy”, recalls John Vergar, “especially that guy (Muños Marin), who is stabbing Jesus (Albizu Campos), with what looked to me like a pool stick”.

Artist John Vergara (37), who is best known in the community for creating the Paseo Boricua/Humboldt Park (Coat Of Arms) mural on the corner of Campbell and Division, as well as, his now famous flag (with the Coat of Arms), was assigned to be the lead artist of the restoration. “I would have never thought that I would be involved in the restoration of this mural”, says Vergara.

John Pitman Weber, a veteran Chicago muralist and professor of art at Elmhurst College, was hired as a consultant for the project. He provided technical assistance to Vergara who had never restored a mural before. Along with various volunteers, the goal was to complete the restoration in one week. Restoration began on August 28th and by September 4th the mural was 85 % complete. “I didn’t think it was going to be possible to complete this in such a short time,” says Mario Galan. Artist Mario Galan had designed the mural in 1971 as a founding member of the Puerto Rican Arts Association. “I was surprised to see that he (Vergara) was dedicated. When someone is dedicated, you tend to put a little more into it and it turned out right,” says Mario.

Mario Galan was one of many volunteers who helped in the restoration of the mural. Although Mario is surprised that the mural has lasted this long, his memories are still vivid of when he first painted the mural. “I thought about the people that worked under me when I first did the mural, like Hector Rosario who was instrumental in getting me the information I needed.” Says Mario.

John Vergara was pleased to have the opportunity to work with one of the original ar
tists. “I had one of the original muralist, Mario Galan, assisting me which was the best part of the experience”, says Vergara. “Someone like me, from the “streets” to be given an opportunity to restore a historic mural. I feel truly honored.”

An entire generation of Humboldt Park residents has grown up seeing the mural as part of this neighborhood. Now with the restoration of the mural a new generation of residents can now enjoy it’s aesthetic with a new park and garden. Just in time for the 40th Anniversary of the mural next year.  “I see it as a victory for all of us”,
says Vergara.

by Eduardo Arocho

En el año 2003 visité por primera vez la comunidad puertorriqueña en el Paseo Boricua de la calle Division en Chicago. El motivo particular no lo recuerdo, creo que fue para la presentación de un trabajo poético musical con unos compañeros artistas de Puerto Rico.  La fecha exacta tampoco la recuerdo. Sin embargo, lo que recuerdo perfectamente es la impresión que me causó la organización y el trabajo social y cultural  que estaba llevando a cabo el Centro Cultural Juan Antonio Corretjer en la llamada ciudad de los vientos. De entrada me impactó el sentido patriótico con el que se trabajaba cada proyecto, incluyendo los trabajos de índole social y de salud. Quedé maravillado con el grupo de jóvenes que laboraban con tanto afán, hombro con hombro y con un gran orgullo para que los trabajos se llevaran a cabo. Todo eso y mucho más desde una sola plataforma, la de la identidad puertorriqueña. De regreso a la isla me traje en el espíritu ese sentido de trabajo comunitario y de lucha patriótica  de ese grupo de puertorriqueños y puertorriqueñas en Chicago, que para ser honesto, no he tenido la experiencia de verlo, en esa magnitud, en ninguna comunidad de la isla.

Ese impacto me trajo de vuelta, no se si ese mismo año o el próximo, el 2004, esta vez para participar de la Fiesta Boricua de Bandera a Bandera. Posteriormente he visitado en varias ocasiones esta comunidad con motivo de esa Fiesta Boricua. Inclusive, este pasado año escolar 2009 – 2010, vine para trabajar como maestro de Historia de Puerto Rico en la escuela superior Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos. Aún con los contratiempos y las dificultades con el idioma y el choque frontal con un invierno que me congelaba la sangre, la experiencia fue muy buena. Estar todo un año trabajando dentro de esta organización que es el Centro Cultural Puertorriqueño Juan Antonio Corretjer amplió mi primera impresión y me llevó a una profunda reflexión sobre la educación, el trabajo comunitario, el desarrollo social y económico y la lucha por la independencia de nuestra patria. Se abrieron, con esa experiencia, nuevas perspectivas de lucha, nuevas visiones y estrategias y me reafirmé en mi visión de la educación pública de nuestros jóvenes como parte fundamental de los procesos de lucha y liberación de nuestro pueblo.
Dicho ésto, paso al objetivo principal de este artículo  que es hacer un comentario sobre la 17ma Fiesta Boricua, celebrada el pasado 5 de septiembre en la que mi pueblo de Comerío tuvo una participación muy especial que aumentó en grado superlativo mi orgullo de ser comerieño.

En algún momento durante el año escolar, el Sr. José López, artífice e ideólogo de esta comunidad y quien no necesita presentación, me mencionó que este año quería inaugurar una sección dentro de la Fiesta Boricua que se llamaría “Lo mejor de nuestros pueblos” y que invitaría a partir de ese momento y cada año a un pueblo de la isla para  participar de la Fiesta Boricua y traer, precisamente, lo mejor de ese pueblo.

No ha sido pura casualidad que Comerío haya sido elegido para inaugurar esa nueva sección dentro de la fiesta. No obstante, aunque la historia es interesantísima, la falta de tiempo y espacio me impide, amigo lector, contarla en este artículo. Lo que me parece más importante es el hecho que, por las reacciones que he recibido de personas que llevan viniendo a esta actividad año tras año, esta edición número 17 de la Fiesta Boricua ha sido muy especial. Más de una persona me ha expresado que ha sido la mejor de todas.

Dentro del marco de la fiesta se celebraron varios eventos. Entre ellos, la presentación del libro Desde Lares del Lcdo. Carlos Gallizá, figura prominente dentro de la discusión política de la isla de Puerto Rico y el reconocimiento a él como luchador por la independencia. También, se reconoció la presencia del Sr. Florencio Merced, quien ha sido parte importante dentro de esa lucha desde sus años de estudiante en la Universidad de Puerto Rico, como líder estudiantil y presidente de la Federación de Universitarios Pro Independencia (FUPI). También se dio clausura a la exposición del artista puertorriqueño Elizam Escobar, obra que estuvo expuesta en IPRAC por varios meses y de la exposición de fotografías que han aparecido en el semanario Claridad a través de su historia como periódico de la lucha por la independencia de Puerto Rico.

El sábado 4, víspera de la Fiesta Boricua, se celebró la Misa Jíbara, que incorpora a su ceremonia religiosa elementos de la cultura puertorriqueña a través de la música típica y la trova del país, dirigida por el Reverendo Padre Raúl Berríos quien llegó con la delegación comerieña. Fue un acto muy hermoso, espiritual y profundo que creó en el espacio del patio interior de IPRAC una comunión de hermanos y un lazo de unión y solidaridad entre los líderes y feligreses de varias parroquias católicas de la ciudad de Chicago junto con las demás personas que allí nos encontrábamos.

Inmediatamente después de la misa se celebró la Noche Puertorriqueña, una gala espectacular que reunió a más de cuatrocientas personas en una noche de cultura y orgullo patrio en el patio exterior del Instituto Puertorriqueño de Arte y Cultura (IPRAC, por su sigla en inglés). En ese espacio fueron reconocidos y homenajeados Carmen H. Lonstein, abogada y miembro de uno de los bufetes más prestigiosos de Chicago y comerieña, y el  alcalde de nuestro pueblo de Comerío, soberanista y puertorriqueñista sin que le tiemble la mano, el Honorable José A. Santiago. El alcalde, por su parte, leyó una hermosa proclama declarando al Sr. José López hijo adoptivo de Comerío. También leyó una proclama similar reconociendo a Josefina Rodríguez (Fifo), además de reconocer a otras personas de la comunidad. El grupo de artistas que vino de Comerío deleitó al público con excelentes interpretaciones.

Ya dejé expuesto anteriormente las impresiones sobre la fiesta del domingo, la Fiesta de Bandera a Bandera. Permítame, amigo lector, hacer un poco de alarde. Mi pueblo de Comerío, mi delegación comerieña, hizo una presentación artística de primera. El Ballet Folklórico de Comerío, El Grupo Ecos de Borinquen con Miguel Santiago Díaz, el Grupo Yes, Papo Cocote y la increíble Tuna Trovera, dieron cátedra sobre lo que es cultura, puertorriqueñidad, solidaridad y patriotismo.

Me consta el sacrificio extraordinario que con lleva la celebración de estas fiestas boricuas en el Paseo Boricua de Chicago. El costo económico es impresionante; conseguir todo ese dinero requiere un esfuerzo monumental. El esfuerzo físico para la organización y la consecución de la fiesta es incalculable. Para la delegación comerieña el esfuerzo y el sacrificio  ronda por el mismo camino, trascendió, como para el Centro Cultural Juan Antonio Corretjer, todos los esfuerzos posibles. Estoy absolutamente convencido que para ambos el esfuerzo, el sacrificio y el sudor ha valido la pena.

Espero que la comunidad puertorriqueña en Chicago sepa valorar ese esfuerzo, que sepan aquilatar en su justa medida el trabajo y el sacrificio de los organizadores de la Fiesta Boricua. Me consta que mi gente de Comerío regresaron extremadamente complacidos y contentos, agradecidos y orgullosos por haber participado en esta Fiesta Boricua de Bandera a Bandera, que es una sola bandera, la puertorriqueña. Se sienten inmensamente orgullosos de haber participado y de ser el primer pueblo de nuestra nación puertorriqueña que trajo a nuestros hermanos y hermanas, compatriotas en Chicago, lo mejor de su pueblo.

En lo que a mi se refiere, me inspira este Centro Cultural Juan Antonio Corretjer de Chicago, me inspira mi gente de Comerío, me motiva su orgullo y dedicación y su expresión patriótica de corazón amigo y solidario y ambos, el Centro y mi pueblo, me hacen sentir un orgullo sin límites para decir a pecho abierto: Yo soy boricua.

(a Raymond (RJ), Matt, Juan,Juanita, Carlos, Zoraida, Marisol, Elías, Rubén, Brenda,Gustavo,Jonathan, Judy y Vidia, particularmente, por el afecto, pero más por la solidaridad y el apoyo y a todos los maestros y compañeros de PACHS)

Por Carlos quiles

Para ver mas retratos Click: 17ma Fiesta Boricua 2010