Governor’s refusal to resign drives massive strike, protests in Puerto Rico
Thousands of Puerto Ricans kicked off the work week Monday by flooding the streets of San Juan in a massive general strike and protests calling for the scandal-plagued leader to step down.
It was a remarkable display of unity as people of all ages gathered in 90-degree heat to show Rosselló they would not back down until he leaves office. They were marching, waving flags, holding signs, chanting, singing and even dancing in what was largely a peaceful demonstration.
Rosselló has faced growing opposition since Hurricane Maria devastated the
The leaked messages showed Rosselló mocking his own constituents, including hurricane victims, and using racial, homophobic and sexist language with some of his advisers. He even called former New York City Council speaker
The first-term governor, who was elected in 2016, has since apologized and, on Sunday, pledged not to run for reelection in 2020. He also resigned from his role as president of the
"Apologizing is not enough," 40-year-old Rosselló said Sunday in a Facebook video. "A huge portion of the population is unhappy, and I recognize it."
Videos circulating on social media Monday showed thousands of people in what appears to be the biggest day of protests since demonstrations began last week, with marchers shouting "Ricky Renuncia," meaning "Ricky Resign," which has also become a trending hashtag on social media.
One of the most common signs in the protests featured the number 4,645, the death toll from Hurricane Maria as estimated by a
"The people have awakened after so much outrage,"
Rosselló's press secretary is one of several officials who have resigned in the wake of the text scandal.
Six others were arrested, including the island's former secretary of education, on accusations of illegally awarding millions of dollars in contracts to politically connected figures.
Several Democratic presidential candidates, including
On Monday New York City Mayor de Blasio joined the chorus calling for him to step down.
"Governor Rosselló has exhibited a pattern of sexist, homophobic and entirely inappropriate behavior," de Blasio said in a statement on Monday. "While
Artists and celebrities, including singers
When asked to weigh in on Monday,
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