Verano Intenso: A Summer of Political Discontent and Activism in Puerto Rico

Event Start Date: October 25, 2019 9:45 AM
Event End Date: October 25, 2019 4:00 PM

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Verano Intenso: A Summer of Political Discontent and Activism in Puerto Rico
October 25 | 9:45 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Reitz Union Room 2365

Over the span of two weeks in the summer, Puerto Rico experienced a series of protests that ended up with the resignation of former Governor Ricardo Rosselló. The protests were a culmination of factors stemming from colonial relations with the US, Hurricane María’s aftermath, economic instability, mass migration, and longstanding cases of corruption.

The publication of Rossello’s Telegram chat revealed chauvinistic, homophobic, classist and racist mindset of the governor and his inner circle as well as their attempts to control media and intimidate their political adversaries. The chat sparked the outrage and political mobilization of the Puerto Rican population, creating a political movement that interestingly claimed to be apolitical. A diversity of voices such as artists, LGBTQIA, Feminists, Puerto Ricans from the Diaspora, members of the university community, among others coalesced to lead an organic movement that had no parallel in Puerto Rican and Latin American history.

The purpose of this conference is to highlight how the actors, witnesses and scholars made sense out of this intense summer. The one-day event will bring together journalists, activists, and community members who took part in the events to share experiences and discuss potential ramifications. Our intent is to present Puerto Rico as an example of a successful political mobilization, a relatively pacific one that can give significant lessons for the US and other countries.

The event provides a forum for students and other members of the UF community and nearby areas to analyze how people in unequal relations of power, and from different backgrounds, are able to organize themselves across political parties to oust corruption and a misogynist, homophobic, racist, and classist government. The conference also supports our diversity initiatives by helping promote Puerto Rican studies and supporting a wide range of perspectives across disciplines and professional schools.

Schedule

Welcome | 9:45 - 10:00 am

Panel I: The Chat and the Aftermath: Documenting Ricky Renuncia | 10:00 - 11:30 am
• Guest Speakers: Journalist Oscar Serrano (Centro de Periodismo Investigativo), journalist Sandra Rodríguez Cotto, and lawyer Melissa Hernández Romero

Lunch Break | 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Panel II: Mobilizing the Puerto Rican Population and the Diaspora | 12:30 - 2:00 pm
• Guest Speakers: Vanesa Contreras Capó (Colectiva Feminista en Construcción), Luis José Torres Asencio (Comisión Ciudadana para la Auditoría), and Rey Charlie

Break | 2:00 - 2:15 pm

Panel III: Rethinking Puerto Rican Political and Social movements | 2:15 - 3:45 pm
• Guest Speakers: Luis Cámara (UPR Political Science), Adriana Garriga López (Kalamazoo College Anthropology), and Hiram Meléndez Juarbe (UPR Law School)

Conclusion | 3:45 - 4:00 pm

Co-sponsors

Chief Diversity Office
UF International Center
MCDA’s Hispanic Affairs
George A, Smathers Libraries
Department of Political Science
Latinx Staff and Faculty Association
Bob Graham Center for Public Service
Samuel Proctor of Oral History Program
University of Florida Levin College of Law
College of Journalism and Communications
Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies
Center for Gender, Sexualities, and Women's Studies
Center for Latin American Studies at Stanford University

Funding support for the live-streaming of this event is made possible by the UF George A. Smathers Libraries and the Center for Latin American Studies at Stanford University.

Live-stream link: https://mediasite.video.ufl.edu/Mediasite/Catalog/catalogs/a-summer-of-political-discontent-activism-in-pr

Download the poster!