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| PHOTO: Stevie Elepan |
It soon will be 60 days since the Campamento Contra La Junta (CCLJ) was established in front of the US District Court in Puerto Rico. The camp has developed into a village, workshop, school and public forum. There are still people here and abroad that do not know about the camp and what it is. There is a popular belief that most of the resisters are UPR students. This belief stems from the constant strikes at the University of Puerto Rico. Although there are students from UPR present they are not the majority. The CCLJ is composed of electricians, prison social workers, actors, nurses, retires, linguist, rappers, lawyers, veterans, mothers, grand mothers, fathers, sons, couples, queers, Afrikans, a Filipino/Borikua, children and the elderly.
There is Karina and her daughter Laura. Karina is a scholar and historian that home schools her daughter. Sometimes they do their coursework right at the camp.
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| PHOTO: Stevie Elepan |
There is Bebo and Mariana, both nurses. Bebo is currently a nurse and Mariana is retired, both lend their services to the camp.
There Adriana, a soft spoken street performer by nigh and a stone faced activist by day.
Then we have Maldonado, an old school soldier against colonialism that cannot seem to sit down relax. It hard to find him not busy but he will always make time for you.
Marta is one of a few houseless folks working on a degree while helping keep the camp safe at night.
Timo and Bernardo, a mechanic and electrician respectively that have contributed with their skills and analysis of Puerto Ricos relationship with the USA.
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| PHOTO: Stevie Elepan |
The camp is diverse in skin color, genders, sexuality, class and history but are united against colonialism. The struggle is big and has many fronts but there is a comradery developing and getting stronger every day. CCLJ does not just fight and have discourse, there is fun (karaoke night is my favorite and I usually avoid karaoke), there is food, (my scrambled eggs are referred to as bellakoide but that is nothing compared to the codfish and rice Karina makes.)
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| PHOTO: Stevie Elepan |
There is struggle but there is love. These are people with lives, jobs and families. It is love that brings them to this CCLJ, it love for their family and their people that drives them to remain in the camp during a tropical storm, to endure 80 degree nights and “Zika” infested mosquitoes. It is love that is driving them to be part of the coalition to shut down the 1st PROMESA Conference on the 31st of August.
These are real people, and they are not passive. They are taking their power and they want to share it with all people of Boriken. They want to share it with the whole world, because Boriken is not unique. Colonialism is a plague on all people of color and soon it must end. Join the CCLJ in its struggle, be part of history. The action starts on the 31st of August at the Condado Plaza Hilton at 8 am.
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| PHOTO: Stevie Elepan |
If you cannot show up then tell folks about it. Spread the word that PROMESA will not be passively accepted and that it is time to end colonialism in Puerto Rico and everywhere. Palante! Siempre palante!
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| PHOTO: Stevie Elepan |
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| PHOTO: Stevie Elepan |
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| PHOTO: Stevie Elepan |
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| PHOTO: Stevie Elepan |
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| PHOTO: Stevie Elepan |
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| PHOTO: Stevie Elepan |
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| PHOTO: Stevie Elepan |
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| PHOTO: Stevie Elepan |
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| PHOTO: Stevie Elepan |
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| PHOTO: Stevie Elepan |
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| PHOTO: Stevie Elepan |
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| PHOTO: Stevie Elepan |
If you enjoyed this article check out Through Our Own Eyes at KBOO 90.7 FM and get a post card from Puerto Rico when you make a donation to our project before the 1st of November 2016.
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