“The people of the Island gave us the power to request and fight for statehood, and that is what we are doing here today,” said Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon in her opening remarks at the first annual Puerto Rico Equality and Statehood Summit. “This is the unfinished business of American democracy.”
“We have contributed greatly to every facet of American life, excelling in every field of endeavor — in culture, music, in engineering, in science, and the economic fabric of this nation — and we proudly uphold and defend the ideals that define our nation, including 235,000 Puerto Ricans who have honorably served the U.S. armed forces.”
“Despite our contributions, despite our longstanding commitment to the values that come with being a citizen, the reality is that we are still not equal,” the governor continued.
Statehood is equality
The governor listed some of the inequities faced by Puerto Rico, considering healthcare, transportation, and safety among other issues. Most significantly, she explained that Puerto Rico does not have full participation in American democracy. “In the case of Puerto Rico, we can speak, but we can’t vote.” As Resident Commissioner, Gonzalez-Colon reflected, she got twice as many votes as the Speaker of the House — yet she could not vote in Congress.
It’s time for statehood
“I do know that President Trump has said that he wants Canada to become the 51st state,” she said, pointing out that Puerto Rico has already voted to become a state. “As a territory, we will always be at Congress’s mercy.”
“Statehood got more votes than any candidate back home. Statehood got more votes than any party,” she reminded her listeners. “There is broad support among people of all parties on the Island.”
This point is particularly significant since the political parties on the Island are traditionally associated with the various political stats options. In recent referenda, though, the votes for statehood total more than the votes for any candidate or party — statehood is popular beyond statehood candidates or the statehood party.
“We’re not going to be shy to uphold the people’s mandate,” said Gonzalez-Colon. “We know the path is not going to be easy, but we are ready to fight.”
“This is not a political movement. This is a people’s movement,” she said. “Puerto Rico has spoken loud and clear…It is time to bring that claim back to the national attention.”
“There’s no turning back!” she concluded. “It’s time for statehood.”
2 Responses
–Support: EQUAL CIVIL RIGHTS; END PR’s UNJUST FEDERAL STATUS!–
Since 1898 (for over 126+ years), the Federal Government has kept the US Territory of Puerto Rico (PR)-(with more US Citizens-US Veterans than 21 States)–under undemocratic control (with NO Federal “consent of the governed”)-as the US Constitution is NOT fully applied to PR (part of “We the People”)! Thus, WE Patriots demand full Equal Civil Rights/ Democracy for ALL; Federal Action to END PR’s unfair Territorial Status; revocation of unjust Laws…!
“The Federal Government should be the Servant of ALL the People; NOT the Master of some!”
FACTS are: Today, millions of PR-2d Class US Citizens-US Veterans don’t have full Civil Rights—like NO Vote for US President; NO just Representation in US Congress; NO Parity in Federal Laws, Programs, or Funding (for Veterans, Social Security, MEDICARE, MEDICAID, Infrastructure, Education, SSI, etc.) that other US Citizens fully get; *NO permanent “statutory” US Citizenship (even if moving to a State)…!
++Plus, the Federal Government unfairly controls PR’s Borders, Currency, Laws, Security, Economy, Trade, etc.—under the unfair Territorial Clause (of 1787); unjust racist Insular Cases (of 1901-1925+); other biased Laws.
++Besides, Puerto Ricans face a magna CRISIS; Exodus to the States–which major ROOT components are: Jobs, Economy, Security, Infrastructure, and Federal undemocratic Territorial Status—where each PART affects the other. The unfair Territorial status affects everything; brings instability…; ties PR’s Hands to fairly compete-grow the Economy; limits progress; goes against our US Democratic core values & principles; is Un-American!
“WE THE PEOPLE come first; not Federal institutional discrimination!”
In our US Republic, the power should reside with all “We the People” (made up by Individuals)–per our Declaration of Independence that calls for “Consent of the Governed”; noble US Constitution that calls for Equal Rights-Fairness, and a Republican form of Government or a Representative Democracy! Fight for Right-END PR’s Federal undemocratic Status!
“NO Federal VOTE or just Representation = NO Democracy or a Tyranny of a Majority!”
Our Federal Government can end this unjust inequity now; amend/revoke unfair Laws that limit progress. But instead, some politically distort; spin; misinform; stereotype; provide meritless/biased EXCUSES that blame the Victim; create double standards not applied to Other US Citizens! This results in confusion & stalemate–that perpetuates Federal subjugation!
You can’t have both ways (either support Equal Rights or Federal Domination)!
Puerto Ricans have loyally sacrificed, defended, & greatly contributed to the development of our noble USA; cherish their US Citizenship; have voted (2012, 2017, 2020, & 2024) to END the unjust Territorial Status as STATEHOOD has won all these local Plebiscites (last one with 59% of the Vote). But, US Congress has not acted to end Federal undemocratic control!
“Silence to Federal suppression; supports injustice!”
Fix/Focus: The Federal Government- must revoke biased/unfair Laws; END PR’s unjust Territorial Status; do a FAIR democratic Plebiscite with defined/viable Non-Territorial Options-which are: STATEHOOD vs INDEPENDENCE (Without or With a FREE ASSOCIATION Pact)- or take other ACTION/Options (e.g. Statehood YES or NO Vote) to ensure Equality & Progress.
“En la UNIÓN está la Fuerza!” (“We are Stronger with a Union of States!”)
Our US (a diverse Union of Sovereign States)-with EQUAL Civil Rights, Benefits & Responsibilities; Own: Identity, Constitution, Flag, Sovereignty, etc.) is the best in the World—where each State complements each other; is stronger than by it-self …! UNITED, under our US Constitution/Flag–brings more Progress for the Good of All!
++Only STATEHOOD guarantees a permanent statutory US Citizenship as “statutory” US Citizens (includes in a State)—don’t have a permanent US Citizenship–because it’s not based on the 14th Amendment, but, its source is the unfair *Territorial Clause & racist *Insular Cases. Thus, the US Congress must protect those in the States or let them Vote in any Plebiscite.
“Puerto Ricans Sacrifice & Contribute to our diverse, but, United-USA since 1513!”
US Puerto Ricans (PR) are about 9+million strong (most-6+m-live in the States-Florida) as they are integrated; sacrifice, and loyally contribute (in all fields of endeavor-since 1898) to our diverse USA/ UNITED Ethnic Groups). PR patriotically sheds sweat, blood, and tears for our US Flag (WWI; WW-II; Cold War, Korea; Vietnam; Global War on Terrorism…until today); serves as a Strategic Defense Outpost-protecting the South-East approach to our USA–counter-acting, in the Caribbean & other places- threats to our National Security; has restructured its debt as its Economy grows, etc.
Also, Hispanic-PR Ancestors (1st Governor of PR) came from PR to Florida (in 1513)-107 years before the Pilgrims; others fought in the US War of Independence (1776); brought Christianity and other good things to our now USA. Today, PR- serves as a Commercial, Security, & Diplomatic Bridge to Hispanic America; pays more Federal taxes than 6 States; has a better GDP than 14 States; is a US captive Market that creates about a million US Jobs; has the best Income per Capita than 32 Latin American Nations. PR helps grow our economy & protect our noble “UNION”—the best in the annuals of History!
But, Hispanic-Puerto Ricans are being territorially segregated; treated unjustly by their biased Federal Government-Legislative, Executive & Judicial-that, at times, misinterpret our evolving US Constitution that today, WE OWN! Plus, some say: “All People are Equal” but, mean: “Some People are more Equal than others”! In our US Republic– the power should reside with (like Lincoln said)-“a Government of the People, by the People, and for the People”!
“God Bless our diverse/united/noble USA!”
THE TIME IS NOW-take patriotic ACTION, based on facts-contact our US Congress/US President to do a democratic Federal Plebiscite on defined non-territorial options: STATEHOOD vs INDEPENDENCE (Without or With Free Association Pact) or other Option that brings Equal Rights to all “WE THE PEOPLE” (including Puerto Ricans).
“SUPPORT EQUAL CIVIL RIGHTS; our REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY!”
Support-Best Option: “PR EQUALITY & PROGRESS with STATEHOOD!”
US Citizenship (Types/Basis/Sources):
1. Individual Birthright (permanent) Citizenship-“jus soli” (right of soil) per 14th Amendment-States: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States…are citizens of the US and of the State wherein they reside.” US Territories or Unincorporated Insular Possessions–are NOT mentioned nor have full Constitutional Rights/ Equal protection…(See “Insular Cases”/Other)
2. Individual Naturalization (permanent) US Citizenship-per 14th Amendment–process through which immigrants from other Countries can also become US Citizens if they wish to (8 USC Code-Naturalization)…(PR, under US jurisdiction, isn’t included.)
3. Acquired Citizenship (“jus sanguinis”-right of blood by descent) – those born in other Countries that acquired US Citizenship from their US Citizen Parents-… (per US Congress-8 USC Code)
4. Collective (non-permanent) Statutory US Citizenship-(PR)-per the US Territorial Clause & Insular Cases (1901-1925+)- led to the PR-Jones Act (1917); 8 USC Code §1402 (which can be amended or revoked or ENDs upon Independence), etc.
+The US Supreme Court (racist Insular Cases)- has wrongly established that the US Constitution doesn’t fully apply to Puerto Rico, except for some broad rights that have not been defined (+Harris v Rosario-1980/Other biased Cases).
• Territorial Clause (Article 4-undemocratic/outdated)- states: “US Congress shall have the Power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the Territory or other Property that belongs to the US…” *PR is a US Territory under the US Constitution (that only mentions 4 Status–one for: States, Territories, Indian Tribes, & District of Columbia)… *“Commonwealth” or “ELA -Free Associated State”- has NO legal meaning; is not a Constitutional Status. But, a cover-up to confuse/fool People… *Besides, the US Congress is not above the US Constitution to create a new Status or give up its Territorial Clause powers, but, it can allow Local Government; statutory US Citizenship or revoke it under the Territorial Clause…
• USSC Insular Cases (1901-1925+) based on racism/not in our US Constitution) unjustly states-*“Puerto Rico is an “unincorporated US Territory; more foreign than domestic, belongs to, but, is not part of the US (soil)…”– resulting in a permanent “Separate and Un-Equal Status”-a 2d Class US Citizenship which goes against US core Values/Principles of a “We the People” Representative Democracy. **This nonsensical/unjust legal gibberish or double standards were NOT applied to other US Territories before PR; are based on Racism by same Court of “Plessy vs Ferguson”(Black discrimination); condemned as unconstitutional by Justice Marshall, Gorsuch, Sotomayor, US Justice Dept., and Others who rightly support revoking them!
• Jones (Merchant Marine) Act (1920)-is outdated; stifles competition, etc.; plus, unfairly imposes higher costs on Puerto Ricans who pay 40% of total; badly hurts the Economy/Progress; as a majority of States, don’t pay this unfair hidden US shipping tax.
• PR lacks Parity in US Laws-Since 1898-results in the loss of about $300 Billion in Federal funds that other US Citizens get!
• *STATEHOOD-MEANS: Admission to our diverse “UNION of STATES”—united under our US Constitution, Laws, & Representative Democracy; EQUAL & permanent US Citizenship with– full Rights, Benefits, and Responsibilities;
PR-STATE Identity, Constitution, Flag, Sovereignty, etc.–as other States & US Citizens have under our noble US Flag…
• *INDEPENDENCE- MEANS: Puerto Rico National Sovereignty; PR Constitution/Laws, PR Citizenship…; with loss of US Constitution & statutory US Citizenship, Rights, and Benefits…
• *INDEPENDENCE with Free Association PACT-MEANS: Puerto Rico National Sovereignty; PR Constitution/ Laws, PR Citizenship…; with loss of US Constitution & statutory US Citizenship, Rights, and Benefits… But, with a negotiated PACT between Independent Nations on Terms (like trade, defense, etc.) that can be terminated by either side.
• Free Association is a Pact between Independent Nations (with own Citizenship), like: Marshal Islands, Palau, & Micronesia.
“Even if one US Citizen can’t vote; is one too many!”
The Federal Government must ensure—Fairness/Justice-full Civil Rights for all “We the People” (who come first)/ “consent of the governed”; a just Representative Democracy as it takes action to: (1) Revoke unjust Laws that are biased or undemocratic: (like-Insular Cases, 1920 Jones Act, & Others (2) Amend US Constitution (make better) — adopt: “US Citizens’ Equal Rights-Protection Clause” that treats all US Citizens equally-no matter the residency, under our noble US Flag (3) revoke or amend the unjust Territorial Clause, etc.
“UNITED, with Facts, Truth and Reason, for the Good of ALL!”
+CONTACT/Educate/Inform (based on FACTS): MEDIA/Federal Government: https://www.house.gov/representatives
Senate: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm President: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
POC: DENNIS O. FREYTES (MPA/MHR/BBA)-US Army Retired/Florida Veterans Hall of Fame- dennisfreytes@hotmail.com *ex-Trustee Valencia College*ex-Professor (PMS)-Director USA Officer ROTC School (w/1,000- University Students) University PR *Civic Action Servant Leader*Advisory Boards-US President/Congressional/State/Mayors’*Other