All reporting by Ashlene Lebrón
Photographs by Ana Carolina Marrero
From October 11 to 13, a group of students that are concerned about the impending issues the “Junta” would bring to the students of Puerto Rico, established an educational camp against PROMESA, the Fiscal Control Board. The purpose of this camp was for students to stop and see what was going on; their goal was to create an approachable, peer-oriented environment, that students could use to become informed and understand how these issues affect us. Ultimately, it also urged students to attend the student assembly to be held next Tuesday, October 18 at the Mangual colisseum.
“Purpose of the “Junta”: to impose fiscal responsibilities and access to capital markets (asking for another loan).”
“The “Junta” is; seven people, Puerto Rican governors, picked by the president and congress of another country.”
“What is the “Junta?” Sec 105. Immunity: Members are not allowed to be sued by any act or decision made.”
” Entities that are subjected to a PROMESA: ELA [the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico], the University of Puerto Rico, Electric Authority, employee retirements from the government, the Economic Development Bank of PR, and Port Authorities.”
The reasons for their camping movement were to create awareness within the university about how certain criterias from the “Junta” would affect them as students, but also as citizens of the island.
Esteban Vizcarrondo, an Economics major, comments on how he and his friends wanted to make an impact to all of the students on campus, They wanted to create a friendly environment that people could approach and be informed of what is going on within the island and how it affects us as students.
Carmen Roman, a Sociology major, has said that besides camping out to create awareness, they have done workshops and talks, where students can come to be informed and participate. Thus far, she has felt joy and accomplishment because students have been approaching to get informed about the subject.