New York – Eight organizations and 11 individuals, some of them active politicians, signed a letter asking Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her virtual running mate Tim Walz to remove support for the “Puerto Rico Status Act” from the party’s government program, legislation under consideration by the federal Congress that proposes a plebiscite between non-territorial options.
The letter, led by the Power 4 Puerto Rico coalition and dated August 15, proposes, instead, a commitment to the Status Assembly mechanism to promote a self-determination process that leads to the solution of the colonial problem.
The subscribers begin the letter by stating the significance of a woman of Caribbean and South Asian origin running for president, not only in terms of the United States but also for Puerto Ricans on the island and in the diaspora.
In this regard, they state that Puerto Ricans are the second largest group of Latinos in the United States, with a large presence in states such as Pennsylvania, Florida, Minnesota and California.
According to the leaders and organizations, that is one of the basic reasons for developing and committing to work with voters in the diaspora on an inclusive action plan for Puerto Rico that focuses on issues such as status, once they assume the role of being elected in the presidential elections on November 5.
“As leaders, activists, and organizers of a 6 million strong Puerto Rican diaspora, we ask you to take advantage of this historic opportunity to present a plan that addresses systemic injustices rooted in colonialism. This plan must end 126 years of colonial rule over nations in the Caribbean and Pacific Islands – a reality that contradicts the principles of democracy and human rights that your campaign represents,” the Puerto Ricans argue in the document.
According to activists, the “Puerto Rico Status Act,” with versions in both the House of Representatives and the federal Senate, is neither “equitable” nor “transparent” as a tool to solve the colonial dilemma.
“The next administration faces a critical decision: will this nation finally end 126 years of control over the lives of Puerto Ricans and people from other U.S. colonies in the Caribbean and Pacific? Will it do so on the pillars of equity and transparency? The Puerto Rico Status Act (H.R. 2757/S. 3231), passed in the current draft of the Democratic Party platform, fails this test. The legislation in question claims to address this long-standing injustice, while upholding the very structures it seeks to dismantle. By remaining silent on fundamental questions, this legislation puts Puerto Rico on the path to making an irrevocable decision without crucial information—self-fulfilling the continuation of the colonial status quo,” the detractors of the measure state.
Issues that need to be clarified in the Puerto Rico Status Act
One of the issues that needs to be clarified, according to the petitioners, is whether under statehood the Spanish language would continue to control schools, courts and government operations, or whether Puerto Rico would be forced to follow Arizona’s precedent of using English as its primary language.
Regarding Puerto Rico’s representation in the Olympics under statehood, the question is whether the island would retain the same status or would be obliged to comply with federal law like the states.
The issue of transfer of citizenship under independence is also a point of debate.
“If independence is chosen, why would Congress deny equal protection to the children of U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico? How does it not violate the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution to prohibit birthright citizens from passing on their U.S. citizenship to their children under a new Puerto Rican republic?” they add.
Another issue in question is taxes and debt.
The organizations and individuals are asking for clarification that, in the event that statehood prevails in a contest, Puerto Ricans would face a 70% tax rate.
“How will Puerto Rico avoid mass layoffs while continuing to pay its $72 billion debt?” they ask.
Regarding representation without taxation, they ask for clarification as to whether the individuals who benefit from Law 22 or the “Law to Encourage the Transfer of Individual Investors to Puerto Rico” will continue to evade federal taxes while having a say in the final resolution of the issue of decolonization.
“Meanwhile, would evacuees from Hurricane Maria, whose displacement was not their decision, be excluded from participating in the final decision?” they contrast.
The letter also calls for the dismantling of the unelected Fiscal Control Board that “suffocates” Puerto Rico.
Members of the Puerto Rican diaspora also call for a firm commitment to ensure food sovereignty and a just transition to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for residents of Puerto Rico. “While many other issues related to Puerto Rico will require their attention, addressing the long-standing structural barriers that currently paralyze democracy on our island nation will allow Puerto Ricans to take greater control of a more prosperous and democratic future,” the group argues.
“The Harris-Walz Administration has the opportunity to be a true partner in charting a new direction, while supporting Puerto Rico’s path to freedom. We urge them to lead with transparency and a firm commitment to decolonization, dismantle the Fiscal Control Board, and address the structural economic barriers that have stifled Puerto Rico’s prosperity for too long. Under their leadership, we can unite, fight, and win in a way that truly serves the Puerto Rican people, and is consistent with the highest American ideals of freedom,” they said.
Who signed the letter?
The letter was signed by the following organizations and individuals:
Alliance for Progress – Florida
Puerto Ricans United in the Diaspora (BUDPR)
CASA in Action
Puerto Rican Community of Houston – Texas
The Puerto Rican Table – Florida
The Weaver – Puerto Rico
Puerto Rican Cultural Center – Illinois
Minnesota State Representative Maria Isa Perez-Vega
Chicago Alderwoman Jessie Fuentes
Cook County Commissioner Anthony Quezada of Illinois
South Carolina Democratic Party Second Vice Chair Mayra Rivera
Florida State Representative Johanna Lopez
St. Louis, Missouri City Councilwoman Daniela Velázquez
Former Philadelphia City Councilwoman Maria Quiñones
Former New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito
Former Democratic Committee Chairman in Laconia, New Hampshire, Carlos Cardona
Florida community leaders Adriana Rivera and Eliseo Santana
The Democratic platform is expected to be approved during the national convention that begins next Monday, August 19, in Chicago, Illinois. At the event, Harris and Walz will be officially nominated as the Democratic candidates for president and vice president of the United States.
The amendment that includes the inclusion of the Puerto Rico Status Act in the government plan was made at a meeting of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) on July 16.
The measure provides for a plebiscite to be held on the island between the options of statehood, independence and free association. The Commonwealth (ELA), the current system of government on the island, was excluded from the consultation because it is territorial.
Part of the arguments of the incoming president of the Democratic Party of Puerto Rico (DPPR), Luis Dávila Pernas, before his colleagues during the meeting was that the term self-determination is an ambiguous one that does not encourage a serious discussion on legally viable alternatives to address the issue of status.
At the time, the coalition issued a statement saying that, on the issue of status, the Democratic government plan was not democratic.
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