Governor’s refusal to resign drives massive strike, protests in Puerto Rico

Jul. 22--Gov. Ricardo Rosselló's attempt to calm the unrest in Puerto Rico by announcing that he would not seek reelection appears to have backfired.

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 U.S. territory nearly two years ago. But a number of profanity-laced online exchanges that were leaked earlier this month angered Puerto Ricans and has led multiple officials to resign.

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 Melissa Mark-Viverito the Spanish word for "wh--e" and told a federal control board overseeing the island's finances to go "f--- yourself."

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 New Progressive Party, but has refused to leave office.

"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 Harvard University study. Rosselló's government initially put the figure at 64 before raising it to 2,975 almost a year later.

"The people have awakened after so much outrage," Benedicta Villegas, a 69-year-old retired nurse, told the Associated Press. "There are still people without roofs and highways without lights. The chat was the tip of the iceberg."

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 Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Obama cabinet member Julián Castro, have joined the calls for Rosselló to resign.

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 Puerto Ricans attempt to heal from Hurricane María, he mocks victims for a cheap laugh. His words are as divisive as they are disqualifying. Governor Rosselló should resign immediately."

Artists and celebrities, including singers Ricky Martin and Bad Bunny and "Hamilton" creator and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, have also joined the movement.

When asked to weigh in on Monday, President Trump called Rosselló "a terrible governor" but stopped short of calling for his resignation.

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