While the student strikes on Puerto Rico may be officially over, the budget problems that brought on the strike continue and student demands to be included in a legislative process that impacts their future have been met by state sponsored violence.

Last Wednesday, June 30th, students went to el Capitolio, Puerto Rico’s legislative building to observe and be a part of budget hearings, a right guaranteed by the island’s constitution. Instead of being welcomed to take part in the democratic process, island police attacked the students using batons, pepper spray, mace and tear gas. Some journalists were also attacked as they covered the story.

In the United States, Puerto Ricans protested in front of the Puerto Rican government’s office in Manhattan, NYC, demanding an investigation into the violence against the students.

The National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights, the oldest and largest civil rights organization for Puerto Ricans in the United States (disclosure: I was an active part of this organization in the past and continue to be supportive of it’s mission and values) released the following statement:

The National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights (NCPRR) categorically condemns
the brutal violence and state-sponsored repression of innocent, law-abiding and
peaceful civilians carried out by the government of Puerto Rico, its Governor
Luis Fortuno and its law enforcement agents on the afternoon of June 30th, 2010.
We also call on the U.S. Department of Justice to launch a comprehensive
investigation and vigorously prosecute all those involved in this violent
violation of civil and human rights and the travesty of democracy that unraveled
in front of the Puerto Rican Capitol on that day.

“In a legitimate democracy, legislators would never meet in secret to make
important fiscal and policy decisions that affect the lives of millions of
people. Furthermore, in Puerto Rico public legislative debate is mandated by
law. In a civil democracy, police officers would never unleash a brutal campaign
of terror on students, workers, ordinary citizens, clergy and journalists
engaged in or observing constitutionally protected free speech and assembly

“Legitimate Democracy” may be the key word here. It is important to note, especially this Fourth of July weekend, that as the United States celebrates it’s independence from British colonialism, the United States currently holds the colony of Puerto Rico. The current governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Fortuño, is pro-statehood.

Puerto Rico’s civil rights’ commission is expected to conduct an investigation into the violence on the 30th.

Looking at the U.S. English language media’s coverage of the protest, incendiary language is used, saying the students intended to “storm” the legislature, for example.