As the word was send out that the Puerto Rican Island was going to be fumigated by toxic chemicals “NALED”, activists, organizers and union leaders approached the “CDC” Center for Disease Control and voiced their concern. Though the bill had not yet been passed they saw it coming. Many Groups were well organized as they formed a strong coalition showing its not about numbers of people present but numbers of people organized and mobilized. Farmers, Bee Keepers, Environmentalists, as well as Water experts called and are calling still for EPA guide-lines NOT to be lowered as the bill mandates, and the people not to be sprayed by harmful cancer causing agents. A group called the United Front Against Aerial Spraying was celebrating this weekend that a spraying of Dibrom insecticide, also known as NALED, was not carried out Friday and called for a demonstration in front of La Fortaleza in Old San Juan. The group, composed of various organizations and activists agreed to take their concerns to the governor’s mansion Wednesday after 4 p.m. and expect “broad participation of the working class.” They are calling for a mass mobilization and want it to be known that these aerial spraying must be stopped by any means necessary.
Among the organizations supporting the demonstration were Nada Santo sobre Monsanto, Coalition of Organizations Anti-incineration, Boricua Organization of Eco-organic Agriculture, the Josco Bravo Agroecological Project, Aibonito without Herbicides, and the Eastern Beekeeping School.Also backing the protest were the Borikén Beekeepers Association, Agrojíbaro Agroecological Project, Worker Youth, UPR Garden, Jayuya Gripiñas Farm, La Ceiba Agroecological Project and the National Environmental Law Association (ANDA by its Spanish acronym).The Ecological Cooperative of Permaculture for a Self-Sufficient Puerto Rico (CEPPA COOP) and Tierra de Luna.
http://caribbeanbusiness.com/aerial-spraying-of-mosquito-pesticide-protested-at-san-juan-cdc/
When InI heard about about the planned spraying and the news that the Water would no longer be tested as a way for the “Government” to save money, a few friends and I started off for San Juan from the West side of the island. I felt that as difficult or discouraging that it may be, that we needed to do something. I grabbed my spray paint and was off.. All the while hoping to hear something on the radio while I caught up and reasoned on the history of Puerto Rican Uprisings. This long and continual fight is fantastic and also deeply sad. With anger and concern within, we arrived at the Capitol Building, (ironically) where the words of “Liberty, Justice and Rights above all else” is written on the marble above the massive columns below. A line of police watched and blocked the door as San Jaun’s Art Community staged many artistic renderings of the situation. As a artist, I saw the brilliance, however the mood of the gathering was one I was not used to. I have been to many protests from Europe to Washington DC, and I have seen a lot of moods. The intellectualism and essence of the Puerto Rican protesters seemed far out compared to the savagery of the situation and degrading of the dignity. I saw many emotions, mourning, song, dance, miming, and die-ins, but not anger, not rage. Mock Caskets only seemed to emit defeat when as a Rasta-Man the mission is empowerment and no surrender. I felt that symbolic resistance was not enough, though I applauded many of those who came forth to support any resistance frankly. I am new to the culture truly, and would only learn more as the night continued of the unique and wonderful spirit of the Boriken people.
I was able to be meet briefly with the only Independence Party Senator, Maria de Lourdes Santiago, Vice President of P.I.P. ( Puerto Rico Independence Party) and share with her my support for independence and appreciation for her bravery. She was friendly and kind, and was with the people as they voiced artistically their dissent.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar%C3%ADa_de_Lourdes_Santiago
I spoke to an elderly woman who had no idea what had happened, only revealing that many people has no clue what is occurring. It was devastating being the one to tell her, and not to be frightened of the odd group of artists being artists. Then it was off to the Federal Court Building where there is underway a occupy encampment in front of the entrance gate to the facility. It was a joy to see Rastafari, artists, activists and a lot of young people together to make a continual stance against the “Junta” (government).
The scene was joyful and musical, giving the people a way to unite and learn. The richness of the people exploded when the Bomba drummers arrived sounding ancient riddims from West Africa with new songs explaining what has happened and what to do, and to who.. As the Federal Agents watched from behind the iron bars, they tapped their feet uncontrollably, instinctively. The Unique dance of the people spoke more than words could say, about identity, pride, and beauty.
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Spray cans rattled and where passed around as slogans of resistance where painted on signs, walls and streets. It the midst of it all, was this thing, called “Independence Day” something foreign to Puerto Ricans as it was for the millions of Africans still enslaved when The Americans won the Revolutionary War. The bitter irony was that no one was coming to work, and it would be days till they did. Meanwhile the US and much of Puerto Rico sadly because they have the day off, literally are not paying any attention to what may interrupt their precious payed vacation. With marches and protests planned for this upcoming week, it seems that Governmental Powers will most likely hope that the people will steam off and that they can come down on the resolute die- harders after the holiday weekend. Amnesty International sent a warning to the PR Government and Federal Agents that they will be watching and documenting what will follow with full awareness of the history of repression by the government of protesters.
I am in love with the Puerto Rican people though I wonder if comprehension of the evil that runs most of the world via banks and vulture companies/ firms is fully grasped, and that I have become disillusioned with standing and holding a sign. More direct and intelligent actions are needed, which I expect to see later this strong (week). I was asked if I wanted to paint a mural, for the first time in my life I didnt. I said there are so many paintings saying the same thing, I think the point has been made. We need more than Art, art is Our Culture, The US Government doesnt deserve our art, nor do they deserve the Puerto Rican resources.
This debt crisis is very similar to many through out the world, and it is clear how and why banks do it. Many want to blame PR and likewise feel guilty of its own corruption, it still must realize this is a continual international assault using economics. We saw it Jamaica with the World Bank and IMF and you can see it Spain today.
There will be more to report. Count on that. Ras Elijah Tafari in Puerto Rico signing out for now. Hail the King, Emperor Haile Selassie I. Jah Rastafari.