by La Voz Staff
Last weekend, the Urban Theater Company hosted “Jolgorio Boricua en Humboldt Park: 250 Years without Kings, Tyrants, or Colonies” — an event centered on self-determination and sovereignty for Puerto Rico. It united local community members and representatives from seven states in conversation about the urgency, vision, and concrete paths for the island to move beyond its colonial status.
Convened by key, cross-sector, intergenerational activists of national and local importance, the Call to Action (see page 5) foregrounds Puerto Rico’s centrality to the present-day struggle against colonialism as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. founding.
Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th), Dr. Michael Rodríguez Muñiz, Michelle Morales, Juanita García Aviles, Luis Alejandro Molina, and José E. López gathered, along with the Puerto Rican Cultural Center and over 50 members of the diaspora community, gathered and enthusiastically discussed and planned the call for a July 4th, all-day celebration in Humboldt Park.
They were joined by State Sen. Omar Aquino, Chicago, IL (2nd District)
State Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega, MN (District 65B), Alderwoman Daniela Velázquez , St. Louis, MO (Ward 6)
City Councilor Zaida Gován, Springfield, MA (Ward 8 ), City Councilor Angel Arroyo Jr., Lorain, OH (Ward 6), Simon Trautmann, State Senate Candidate, MN (District 51), Melissa Mark-Viverito, Former Speaker NYC Council, Efrain Elias, Illinois SEIU Local 1
Thank you to all who participated, to the PRCC staff, and to Urban Theater Company (@urbantheater) and Ola Barra Cocina Lounge (@Olasangrias) for generously opening their space.
