A White House rally is being planned for this Saturday, March 2nd to celebrate the 96th anniversary of the granting of U.S. citizenship to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rican Resident Commissioner and New Progressive Party President Pedro Pierluisi will be the featured speaker.
As we’ve noted in a previous post, similar demonstrations are planned in San Juan and elsewhere in Puerto Rico.
One invitation landing in email in-boxes explains:
On March 2, 1917 President Woodrow Wilson signed the Jones-Shafroth Act which granted U.S. citizenship to the people of Puerto Rico. Much has changed in the past 96 years, but what has not changed is that to this day Puerto Rico still remains a territory of the U.S. and the American citizens that reside in PR still lack proportional representation in Congress and the right to vote for our President. As a nation that prides itself on being a beacon of democracy in the world, it’s clear that the political status of Puerto Rico and the rights of the American citizens residing there remains part of the unfinished business of American democracy.
Last November the people of Puerto Rico voted to end the current territory status and selected statehood as their preferred alternative. Now Congress and the President must take action. This Saturday we have an opportunity to unite our voices in a rally to celebrate the anniversary of U.S. citizenship to the people of PR, and to demand the equal rights and responsibilities that we voted for and that we deserve as U.S. citizens from Puerto Rico. By participating in this rally we amplify the voice and vote of our fellow citizens and remind our President and members of Congress that they have the responsibility to honor the will of the people that they govern including those in Puerto Rico.
Therefore, I extend this invitation to you, your family, your friends and other allies to join us….
When: Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 10:00am
Where: Lafayette Square, Washington, DC (In front of the White House)
Click here to see a copy of the announcement.
(See our previous story about coverage of this event by the Associated Press by clicking here.)
