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| Puerto Rico Protests: Demonstrators Demand Governor’s Resignation | Puerto Rico Protests: Demonstrators Demand Governor’s Resignation |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| [“The people can’t take it anymore”: A deep look at the political crisis that led to Monday’s protests in Puerto Rico.] | [“The people can’t take it anymore”: A deep look at the political crisis that led to Monday’s protests in Puerto Rico.] |
| SAN JUAN, P.R. — Hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans filled miles of a major highway in San Juan on Monday in protest against Gov. Ricardo A. Rosselló, who has resisted persistent calls for his resignation, in what appeared to be one of the largest demonstrations the island has seen. | SAN JUAN, P.R. — Hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans filled miles of a major highway in San Juan on Monday in protest against Gov. Ricardo A. Rosselló, who has resisted persistent calls for his resignation, in what appeared to be one of the largest demonstrations the island has seen. |
| The highway, Expreso Las Américas, teemed with people who carried Puerto Rican flags, waved protest signs and chanted to demand the removal of Mr. Rosselló, who said on Sunday that he would not seek re-election in 2020 but would stay in office through his current term — and face possible impeachment. | |
| Monday’s protest paralyzed San Juan, although it was not clear if organizers had reached their goal of drawing a million people — about a third of the island’s population — to the highway. | Monday’s protest paralyzed San Juan, although it was not clear if organizers had reached their goal of drawing a million people — about a third of the island’s population — to the highway. |
| As the crowd on the highway thinned in the afternoon, people once again packed the street in front of the governor’s mansion, amassing in front of the same barricade where they have gathered for more than a week. | As the crowd on the highway thinned in the afternoon, people once again packed the street in front of the governor’s mansion, amassing in front of the same barricade where they have gathered for more than a week. |
| [We want to hear from those living in Puerto Rico on how corruption and cutbacks in public services have affected you or your family. Tell us here.] | [We want to hear from those living in Puerto Rico on how corruption and cutbacks in public services have affected you or your family. Tell us here.] |
| Protests against Mr. Rosselló began more than a week ago, after the publication of 889 pages of a leaked group chat between the governor and his closest aides. Besides being offensive, the messages revealed a cozy relationship between the governor and former staff members who now represent special interests. | Protests against Mr. Rosselló began more than a week ago, after the publication of 889 pages of a leaked group chat between the governor and his closest aides. Besides being offensive, the messages revealed a cozy relationship between the governor and former staff members who now represent special interests. |
| The crude messages were the final straw for Puerto Ricans who have suffered for years because of economic austerity measures and the devastation of Hurricane Maria. | The crude messages were the final straw for Puerto Ricans who have suffered for years because of economic austerity measures and the devastation of Hurricane Maria. |
| [Lee en español sobre las causas de las protestas en Puerto Rico.] | [Lee en español sobre las causas de las protestas en Puerto Rico.] |
| “The people of Puerto Rico like me, but the leadership is corrupt and incompetent,” Mr. Trump said during an appearance at the White House with the prime minister of Pakistan on Monday. | “The people of Puerto Rico like me, but the leadership is corrupt and incompetent,” Mr. Trump said during an appearance at the White House with the prime minister of Pakistan on Monday. |
| The president warned that leaders in Washington were wary of sending aid to Mr. Rosselló’s administration — a reason some members of the governor’s own party have cited to demand his resignation. | The president warned that leaders in Washington were wary of sending aid to Mr. Rosselló’s administration — a reason some members of the governor’s own party have cited to demand his resignation. |
| “The senators are not happy about it, and Congress is not happy about it,” Mr. Trump said. | “The senators are not happy about it, and Congress is not happy about it,” Mr. Trump said. |
| Even though many Puerto Ricans agree that their government is flawed, they tend to consider Mr. Trump’s criticism offensive. | Even though many Puerto Ricans agree that their government is flawed, they tend to consider Mr. Trump’s criticism offensive. |
| The president cited his experience holding the Miss Universe pageant twice on the island as evidence that he has “many Puerto Rican friends.” | The president cited his experience holding the Miss Universe pageant twice on the island as evidence that he has “many Puerto Rican friends.” |
| “I have a real understanding of Puerto Rico,” he said. “I’m the best thing that ever happened to Puerto Rico.” | “I have a real understanding of Puerto Rico,” he said. “I’m the best thing that ever happened to Puerto Rico.” |
| Perhaps in an attempt to speak directly to Mr. Trump, the governor appeared on Fox News on Monday afternoon, where the anchor Shepard Smith pressed him on his lost support: “You’re a man on an island by yourself. How long can you stay there?” | Perhaps in an attempt to speak directly to Mr. Trump, the governor appeared on Fox News on Monday afternoon, where the anchor Shepard Smith pressed him on his lost support: “You’re a man on an island by yourself. How long can you stay there?” |
| “My commitment is to follow through on some of the efforts that I established for the people of Puerto Rico,” Mr. Rosselló said in his first one-on-one interview since the political crisis began. | “My commitment is to follow through on some of the efforts that I established for the people of Puerto Rico,” Mr. Rosselló said in his first one-on-one interview since the political crisis began. |
| Asked to list the people who still back him, the governor mentioned only the mayor of rural San Sebastián, Javier Jiménez — who later said Mr. Rosselló was mistaken. Mr. Jiménez wrote on Facebook that he has not asked for the governor’s resignation only because he backs the Legislature’s taking steps toward impeachment. | Asked to list the people who still back him, the governor mentioned only the mayor of rural San Sebastián, Javier Jiménez — who later said Mr. Rosselló was mistaken. Mr. Jiménez wrote on Facebook that he has not asked for the governor’s resignation only because he backs the Legislature’s taking steps toward impeachment. |
| Mr. Rosselló, who was freshly shaven for the appearance after months of having a beard, argued that his administration has already taken steps to combat corruption. | Mr. Rosselló, who was freshly shaven for the appearance after months of having a beard, argued that his administration has already taken steps to combat corruption. |
| “We need to fix the system,” he said. | “We need to fix the system,” he said. |
| [Read more about Governor Rosselló’s refusal to resign here.] | [Read more about Governor Rosselló’s refusal to resign here.] |
| Julianna Pérez and her sister, Manuela Hernández, were soaked from the rain that fell on protesters, but they said they felt invigorated by the demonstration. | Julianna Pérez and her sister, Manuela Hernández, were soaked from the rain that fell on protesters, but they said they felt invigorated by the demonstration. |
| “This is a new generation,” said Ms. Pérez, 24. “We are showing them that we want things done differently. We are going to eliminate partisan politics.” | “This is a new generation,” said Ms. Pérez, 24. “We are showing them that we want things done differently. We are going to eliminate partisan politics.” |
| She said the governor had to answer for a series of debacles, including the number of people who died after the hurricane, education funds that were steered toward favorite contractors and storm aid that went to waste. | She said the governor had to answer for a series of debacles, including the number of people who died after the hurricane, education funds that were steered toward favorite contractors and storm aid that went to waste. |
| The sisters woke up at 4 a.m. to hit the road from Ponce, in the southern part of Puerto Rico. Ms. Pérez and Ms. Hernández are convinced their journey was worth it. | The sisters woke up at 4 a.m. to hit the road from Ponce, in the southern part of Puerto Rico. Ms. Pérez and Ms. Hernández are convinced their journey was worth it. |
| “This is going to be marked in history,” Ms. Pérez said. Her sister finished her sentence: “In the history of Puerto Rico, there will be a before and after: before and after this moment.” | “This is going to be marked in history,” Ms. Pérez said. Her sister finished her sentence: “In the history of Puerto Rico, there will be a before and after: before and after this moment.” |
| Estefany Bermúdez, a student, said she had never attended a protest before. She was struck by the sea of people that stretched across the highway, even in the pouring rain. People danced and sang under the downpour. | Estefany Bermúdez, a student, said she had never attended a protest before. She was struck by the sea of people that stretched across the highway, even in the pouring rain. People danced and sang under the downpour. |
| “We have to defend our rights,” Ms. Bermúdez said. “We voted for him, and he didn’t do his job well, so now he has to hear us. Now they have to hear us all over the world.” | “We have to defend our rights,” Ms. Bermúdez said. “We voted for him, and he didn’t do his job well, so now he has to hear us. Now they have to hear us all over the world.” |
| Attending the march on Monday were Puerto Ricans not only from municipalities across the island but also from the vast Puerto Rican diaspora, returning to the island to join the protests. | Attending the march on Monday were Puerto Ricans not only from municipalities across the island but also from the vast Puerto Rican diaspora, returning to the island to join the protests. |
| There were retirees, college students, waiters, electricians, truckers — groups that sometimes protest separately but rarely, if ever, together. Some marchers shared sandwiches to keep their energy up under the blazing sun. The heat index was forecast to exceed 100 degrees. | There were retirees, college students, waiters, electricians, truckers — groups that sometimes protest separately but rarely, if ever, together. Some marchers shared sandwiches to keep their energy up under the blazing sun. The heat index was forecast to exceed 100 degrees. |
| Ruth Vélez, a 62-year-old retiree, said that Hurricane Maria destroyed her house in the municipality of Bayamón, and that the government’s reconstruction program turned her down for help. | |
| “I lived in that house for 30 years,” she said. “Now I’m on the street.” | “I lived in that house for 30 years,” she said. “Now I’m on the street.” |
| The artists Bad Bunny, Ricky Martin, Ednita Nazario, Residente and Olga Tañón joined the crowd. Under a banner reading “#RickyGameOver, “Ms. Tañón belted out a rendition of “Preciosa,” a well-known patriotic Puerto Rican song. A moment of silence was held for the hurricane victims. | The artists Bad Bunny, Ricky Martin, Ednita Nazario, Residente and Olga Tañón joined the crowd. Under a banner reading “#RickyGameOver, “Ms. Tañón belted out a rendition of “Preciosa,” a well-known patriotic Puerto Rican song. A moment of silence was held for the hurricane victims. |
| Near the front of the march, protesters held a white banner with black letters that spelled out a message for the governor, “#RickyRenuncia” and “#NiCorruptosNiCobardes” — Neither the corrupt nor the cowardly. | Near the front of the march, protesters held a white banner with black letters that spelled out a message for the governor, “#RickyRenuncia” and “#NiCorruptosNiCobardes” — Neither the corrupt nor the cowardly. |
| Marchers yelled, “Ricky, ¡renuncia, el pueblo te repudia!” — Ricky, resign, the people reject you. | Marchers yelled, “Ricky, ¡renuncia, el pueblo te repudia!” — Ricky, resign, the people reject you. |
| Among the headliners at Monday’s protest was the rapper René Pérez, known as Residente. He put his work on a new single on hold and flew here from Los Angeles, sharing a flight with Ricky Martin. | |
| He attended the protest perched on a white truck, with Mr. Martin riding on top. Also on board were the singers Bad Bunny, Kany García and Ednita Nazario. The Olympic wrestler Jaime Espinal was also on board, but the loudest chants from the crowd went to the boxer Felix Trinidad, known as Tito. | |
| Mr. Pérez said it was exciting to see such a large mass of people, especially young people. Mr. Pérez, who has supported independence for Puerto Rico, said that by hanging on to power, the governor was trying to break the protests by provoking violence. He acknowledged that the protesters risk hurting the economy and turning off supporters. | |
| “He is playing a game to see who quits first,” Mr. Pérez said in an interview. “We are not quitting. We are in this for all the time that it takes.” | |
| Mr. Pérez said the protests were giving life to a new wave of activism. | |
| “We have to reform everything,” he said. “We have to create a new party, with new names. The people are asking for something new. We have to change it.” | |
| Mr. Pérez, his sister iLe and the singer Bad Bunny produced a song last week that was a brutal takedown of the governor. It has nearly 5 million views on YouTube in less than one week. | |
| “The people,” Mr. Pérez said, “want to start over from zero.” | |
| The protests amount to a rejection of decades of mismanagement by leaders who always seemed to benefit while ordinary Puerto Ricans suffered. Grievances have been building up over 12 years of economic recession, a debt crisis that has prompted layoffs and cutbacks in public services and the botched response to Hurricane Maria. | The protests amount to a rejection of decades of mismanagement by leaders who always seemed to benefit while ordinary Puerto Ricans suffered. Grievances have been building up over 12 years of economic recession, a debt crisis that has prompted layoffs and cutbacks in public services and the botched response to Hurricane Maria. |
| The chat messages and the arrests this month of six people with ties to the Rosselló government were too much for many Puerto Ricans, who said they could no longer tolerate mocking, profanity and corruption, real or perceived, by leaders who were supposed to be fighting on their behalf in Washington and San Juan. | The chat messages and the arrests this month of six people with ties to the Rosselló government were too much for many Puerto Ricans, who said they could no longer tolerate mocking, profanity and corruption, real or perceived, by leaders who were supposed to be fighting on their behalf in Washington and San Juan. |
| Mr. Rosselló’s defiance and decision to remain in office has only fueled protesters to stay in the streets longer. Late on Sunday, demonstrators trapped a group of mayors and lawmakers who had met with the governor, blocking them from leaving until the police intervened. The spontaneous protest took place in the upscale municipality of Guaynabo, a place typically supportive of the governor, signaling that he has few places on the island left on his side. | Mr. Rosselló’s defiance and decision to remain in office has only fueled protesters to stay in the streets longer. Late on Sunday, demonstrators trapped a group of mayors and lawmakers who had met with the governor, blocking them from leaving until the police intervened. The spontaneous protest took place in the upscale municipality of Guaynabo, a place typically supportive of the governor, signaling that he has few places on the island left on his side. |
| Ahead of Monday’s march, the biggest shopping mall in San Juan, Plaza Las Américas, announced that it would not open for the day. Some banks also were closed, and university classes were canceled. | Ahead of Monday’s march, the biggest shopping mall in San Juan, Plaza Las Américas, announced that it would not open for the day. Some banks also were closed, and university classes were canceled. |
| And cruise ships were again diverted from calling at the port on Monday, keeping thousands of tourists away from small businesses in Old San Juan that depend on them. | And cruise ships were again diverted from calling at the port on Monday, keeping thousands of tourists away from small businesses in Old San Juan that depend on them. |
| On Monday morning, El Nuevo Día, Puerto Rico’s largest newspaper, published a rare front-page editorial. “Governor, it’s time to listen to the people,” read the above-the-fold headline. “You must resign.” | On Monday morning, El Nuevo Día, Puerto Rico’s largest newspaper, published a rare front-page editorial. “Governor, it’s time to listen to the people,” read the above-the-fold headline. “You must resign.” |
| They want to be rid of both Mr. Rosselló and another target of their ire, the unelected oversight board created by Congress to manage the finances of the island’s government, which owes far more than it can pay to its creditors. Thousands of government workers have been laid off, services have been cut, tuition raised and schools closed as Puerto Rico has struggled to resolve the debt crisis; none of that has been popular. | They want to be rid of both Mr. Rosselló and another target of their ire, the unelected oversight board created by Congress to manage the finances of the island’s government, which owes far more than it can pay to its creditors. Thousands of government workers have been laid off, services have been cut, tuition raised and schools closed as Puerto Rico has struggled to resolve the debt crisis; none of that has been popular. |
| Mr. Rosselló has tried at times to push back against “la junta,” as the board is known. But many Puerto Ricans lump the two together in their frustration and fury. The protesters have taken to chanting “Ricky, renuncia, y llévate a la junta” — Ricky, resign, and take the board with you. | Mr. Rosselló has tried at times to push back against “la junta,” as the board is known. But many Puerto Ricans lump the two together in their frustration and fury. The protesters have taken to chanting “Ricky, renuncia, y llévate a la junta” — Ricky, resign, and take the board with you. |
| Mr. Rosselló, whose term runs through 2020, said on Sunday that he would not seek re-election, but also that did not intend to resign. But some politicians have spoken of impeaching him, and legislative leaders have asked a panel of jurists to issue a recommendation on whether to pursue impeachment charges. | Mr. Rosselló, whose term runs through 2020, said on Sunday that he would not seek re-election, but also that did not intend to resign. But some politicians have spoken of impeaching him, and legislative leaders have asked a panel of jurists to issue a recommendation on whether to pursue impeachment charges. |
| One complication is that Puerto Rico has no lieutenant governor to take his place. The island’s secretary of state is supposed to step in as acting governor when needed, but that post is currently vacant — and the power to fill it belongs to Mr. Rosselló, though his nominee would have to be approved by the island’s legislature. Leaders of the governing New Progressive Party are scrambling to find a candidate. | One complication is that Puerto Rico has no lieutenant governor to take his place. The island’s secretary of state is supposed to step in as acting governor when needed, but that post is currently vacant — and the power to fill it belongs to Mr. Rosselló, though his nominee would have to be approved by the island’s legislature. Leaders of the governing New Progressive Party are scrambling to find a candidate. |
| If there is no secretary of state, the governorship would go next to the secretary of justice, Wanda Vázquez Garced, but powerful legislative leaders from her party do not seem interested in having that happen. | If there is no secretary of state, the governorship would go next to the secretary of justice, Wanda Vázquez Garced, but powerful legislative leaders from her party do not seem interested in having that happen. |
| Frances Robles and Alejandra Rosa reported from San Juan, and Patricia Mazzei from Miami. | Frances Robles and Alejandra Rosa reported from San Juan, and Patricia Mazzei from Miami. |