Hartford Rallies for Puerto Rico

About three dozen people rallied in downtown Hartford on Wednesday, demanding relief from the hurricane also of public debt in Puerto Rico.

“All these investors from Wall Street that have been praying on the people of Puerto Rico for a long long time,” said one participant over a bullhorn being used to get the attention of the crowd gathered on Asylum Street.

Before the one-two punch from Mother Nature, a massive debt crisis was already plaguing Puerto Rico. This rally was held in front of the Santander Bank, which has a presence in Puerto Rico. Organizers accuse banks of trying to profit from the country’s financial failures.

“Santander is one of the ones that benefiting right, from the debt crisis on the island? They are one of those banks so that is why they chose this location and that’s why we’re here. I think it sends a stronger message,” Rep. Juan Candelaria said.

Representatives of the Santander Bank had no comment on Wednesday’s rally.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s efforts to assure the people of Puerto Rico during a visit yesterday aren’t going over well.

After visiting the ravaged region he said Puerto Rico only lost 16 people at the time of his speech compared to the thousands lost after Katrina. 

“How can you compare two crisis. Both are crisis, we shouldn’t be comparing, we should be empathetic and supportive of the island,” remarked Candelaria.

“He just went to Puerto Rico just to bash my people and to humiliate my people,” said Rep. Angel Arce.

Arce, a state representative in Hartford, said he still hasn’t heard from all of his family on the south side of the island.

“I don’t know if some of my relatives are still alive or dead,” he explained.

He said he has 19 truck-loads of donations but no way to get them to the island. He’s hoping the state will help.

“I’m pleading with the governor to give us one of those C-130’s that is sitting over at Bradley Airport,” Arce said.

As they pleaded more federal aid they also asked the White House and Wall Street to give Puerto Rico on its $72-billion debt.

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