Los CHANCHOS y CHANGó en la Universidad de Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is somewhere in between part of the United States, and a colony, depending on which Puerto Rican you ask. It has been in a long crisis which gave birth to many radical movements across the 19th century against Spain (Grito de Lares, etc.) and in the 20th century against the United States. Around this issue of public education has reawakened many old struggles.
Radio Huelga is the best source of information available on the web as an audiostream and with regular Facebook group and twitter updates. Since January 11 there have been civil disobedience actions every day, with dozens of people arrested, including 80 on January 19. People have been treated with great brutality by the police, which include SWAT and National Guard units in full military battle dress and heavily armed. The use of chokeholds, pressure to the carotid arteries to people who were blocking the street, mounted police etc, baton charges, has been systematic.
The Governor of Puerto Rico — Fortuno — had declared the protestors who include, students, trade unionists, members of ‘Women against War” (a PR antiwar group which has reminded people that with african-americans, Puerto Ricans are disproportionately to their number part of the US armed forces), and the Independence political movement — to be “Terrorists”.
