The University of Puerto Rico (UPR) has been fixing their parking lots during the past few months. Two weeks ago, student were surprised to see five of the parking spots from the UPR’s Law School parking were blocked and you could only access them through an app. The president of the Law School General Student Council (CGE, in Spanish), Verónica Vega, was against the possible privatization of the 1,452 parking spots.
The University’s administration clarified in a press release that they installed the system to generate income for the maintenance of the parking lot.
Last Sunday, more than 50 christian drummers played in front of the Capitol in San Juan calling for peace in Puerto Rico. Adults and children drummed together in the event called My Drums Evangelize.
After weeks of manifestations for Ricardo Rosselló’s resignation, protestors renamed the street where Calle de la Fortaleza changed to Calle de la Resistencia. This week, various online apps, like Waze and Google Maps, renamed the street on their maps too. Up to today, the official sign still says Calle de la Resistencia. San Juan mayor, Carmen Yulín, announced this week that she will consider changing the streets official name.
On this week’s #WednesdayColumn, the author describes six ways in which Puerto Ricans have joined to fight for their rights and defend the island.
Due to the political crisis that has been going on these past few weeks, several municipalities decided to host town assemblies to discuss the situation. The people want to reunite to take a stand as a town. Six assemblies were celebrated last week and three are taking place during this next week.
This week, the UPR Río Piedras Campus celebrated their orientation week. For three days the University received the new alumni and 62% of those were female.
UPR’s Río Piedras Campus rector, Luis Ferrao, asks for employees cooperation in the audit by the Comptroller’s Office.
The House of Representatives of Puerto Rico approved, on Friday, Pedro Pierluisi’s naming as Secretary of State. This made him a candidate to be Governor of Puerto Rico after Ricardo Rosselló’s resign.
For a Secretary of State to become governor it is necessary the approval of the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate. Later that day, he sworn in becoming the 12th governor of the island. Pierluisi sworn in without the Senate’s approval.
On Friday, the new Governor Pedro Pierluisi delivered his first message to the island. He did not have a sign language interpreter and one of the journalist asked him about it during the Q&A.
Members of the deaf community pointed out that it is not the first time it has happened since the political crisis in the island began. Ricardo Rosselló’s resignation message did not have an interprete either.
Edited: Jason L. Domenech Nazario
