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| PHOTO;Stevie Elepan |
On the morning the 31st of August 2016, the people of Puerto Rico mobilized to shut down the First PROMESA Conference at the Condado Plaza Hilton. Protestors occupied both access to the Ashford Bridge and the east side of the hotel on Avenida Ashford.
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| Google Map of Condado |
Law enforcement had been prepared and deployed the day before. Security was comprised of 150 police officers in riot gear, an unconfirmed number of undercover close protection officers and private security personal from companies such as the local firm Blackhawk and the British multinational G4S. Blackhawk is also the company that provides armed security for El Nuevo Dia.
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| PHOTO;Stevie Elepan |
The event, that was to host potential investors from the US, Europe and Latin America. Police escorted White passing European settler folk as they forced their way through the picket line. One group of attendees hired a private boat to bring them in throw the hotels beach access. Protestors cooperated together to hold back law enforcement as best as they could. In the process they notably wore down the officers.
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| Col (ret.) Arnaldo Claudio PHOTO;Stevie Elepan |
Law enforcement was exhausted and agitated, their gear waving them down in the heat as protestors sang and held the line. There was law enforcement members that had to be pulled from the ranks for getting to violent. There was police colonel present and he seemed to be spending most of his energy trying to keep his subordinates from rushing in prematurely. Sergeants had to frequently talk down their team members and other sergeants. Early on the presence of
Arnaldo Claudio (The most interesting person I have met in Puerto Rico). The retired Colonel is the
Technical Compliance Advisor approved by
U.S. District Judge Gustavo A. Gelpí in 2014 to monitor local law enforcement.
Protestors were highly motivated and showed great organization. They were in constant communication with each other but never used personal names. I found them very cooperative when it came to documenting and interviewing them.
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| PHOTO;Stevie Elepan |
Security was very tight early on in the day. After I had checked in at the press table and issued my press pass, I stepped out to take some pictures of the protestors. When I tried to reenter I was directed back and forth from one officer to another. One was rather pleasant but all the others were either pass aggressive or plainly hostile. I would be relived later to have been stuck outside where all the action was when I learned that the 1500 seats of the conference room at most had 200 occupants.
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| PHOTO;Stevie Elepan |
Many of the talks were canceled. I had looked forward to Dick Larkins talk on PROMESA after meeting him the day before. He was going to wear a baseball helmet when he went on stage as a reference to the protestors he was expecting.
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| PHOTO;Stevie Elepan |
Around 2pm the protectors deiced their work was done and there was no need to stay till 530pm. The people collectively demanded that the riot team gets out of their way. They chanted “If you’re not with us, get the hell out of our way” while selected spokespeople talked to the police commanders. A police copter from the FURA unit hovered above as the mass marched through with the riot team standing on the side of the street. They crossed the Ashford Bridge carrying a great victory with them
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| PHOTO;Stevie Elepan |
The mass moved to a local park to de brief and cool after the long day of fighting capitalism. I believe this is just the start for the people of Boriken. That day was victory and not the last. The road ahead will be challenging and these folk understand that and are not afraid to take on any obstacle.
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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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| Special Arrest Officers PHOTO;Stevie Elepan |
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| PHOTO;Stevie Elepan |
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| PHOTO;Stevie Elepan |
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| Translation: No Fiscal Board, No Colony, No paying of the debt 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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| The cops are always ready. PHOTO;Stevie Elepan |
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| An American Investor from Chicago with "Multiple Projects" 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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| Protestors stuck together and took care of the fallen. 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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| The woman in the white hat assit the photographer that got hit by pepper spray. PHOTO;Stevie Elepan |
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| Documenting the police PHOTO;Stevie Elepan |
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| PHOTO;Stevie Elepan |
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| A blessing of smoke. 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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