It has been over 60 days since the hit of hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, and the island is still in a great depression from the devastating effects of the storm. On November 19, a group of protestors stepped foot in the streets of Washington D.C. to urge the U.S. government to take further action and raise awareness about the situation.
The Unity for Puerto Rico march consisted of politicians as well as Hamilton star, Lin-Manuel Miranda, whose plan was to provoke a larger spotlight on the demolished territory, and strive to update the Jones Act of 1920. Protestors marched with signs that displayed the red, white, and blue flag and sayings that promoted awareness to the neglect the territory is getting from the government.
The act is strangling Puerto Rico by preventing foreign registry vessels from entering Puerto Rico without paying punitive fees and taxes.
The protestors were demanding a tougher federal response, as well as a permanent suspension of the Jones Act, which would enable more goods to be transported from the U.S. to the island itself. The people marching also want to remind the U.S. government that “half of the island still doesn’t have power, and that the people of Puerto Rico are struggling with serious healthcare needs.”
Lin Manuel-Miranda is not going to throw away his shot at raising awareness for the devastation that Puerto Rico is enduring 60 days after the hit of hurricane Maria.
Miranda tweeted this photo the day of the march and hashtagged #unitymarchforpr
The director of the nonprofit La Unidad Latina Foundation, Miguel Guadalupe, explained to CNN that the march was necessary because “recovery efforts in Puerto Rico have been ab embarrassment for the United States federal government and have left residents of the island wondering if their lives have value to this nation.” The U.S government needs to be reminded that aid is still required, and the march was necessary to show solidarity with the people of Puerto Rico.
For more ways to help the people of Puerto Rico, visit the Hurricane Maria Community Recovery Fund.