PRSSA started its lobbying campaign in the island

Friday, February 11, 2011
Event recap

San Juan- Members of PRSSA Mayaguez, Bayamon, and the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico chapters, began the lobbying campaign in favor of the self-determination referendum for the island. With them also were members of other pro-statehood organizations like the “Pro-Statehood Students in Action” (UEA as it’s known in Spanish), “Civil Action for the Status” (Acción Civil para el Estatus), Statehood Education Group, among others. PRSSA members asked the members of the House and Senate offices they visited to support a self determination referendum, and expressed their willingness to help out in the most important aspect of the fight for self-determination, education.

During a meeting with the Speaker of the House, the Hon. Jennifer González, Head staff member, Rolando Rivera, PRSSA members were assured that Gonzalez, a member of the Republican Party, is very interested in pushing forward the legislation needed. Rivera listened to the concerns of all the representatives from the different organizations, and promised to let the madam Speaker know of all the details talked about in the meeting. Although some of the other organizations were asking for Statehood v. Independence referendum, PRSSA limited their requests to a plebiscite that only includes non-territorial, non-colonial options.

PRSSA members proceeded to arrange future meetings with the Hon. Thomás Rivera Schatz, President of the Senate, and with the Head Chairwoman for the Senate Federal Affairs Committee, the Hon. Melinda Romero.

The group proceeded to meet with Carmelo Pérez, a legal aid for the Chairman of the Senate Government Affairs Committee, Carmelo Ríos. Pérez assured that both Ríos and Rivera Schatz are interested in celebrating a referendum, but that there are several other pro-statehood legislators that are not in favor of celebrating the event. Peréz expressed his satisfaction that students are interested in the future of the island, and said that as long as there are those whom wish to fight for the future of Puerto Rico, there is still hope. Peréz finalized with saying that education is important for the success of the movement.

Finally the group was able to set up a last minute meeting with the Hon. Kimmey Raschke, Senator for San Juan, where the students were able to express their desire for a referendum for the island. Rashcke said she is in favor of the plebiscite, and said that the biggest problem Puertoricans have is a fear of change.

PRSSA will continue to promote more visits to the legislature, along with letters, and calls to the offices of the different state legislators to educate and exhort the members to legislate in favor of a plebiscite. This activity was part of the José Celso Barbosa University Campaign.