On October 15, 2009, thousands of Puerto Ricans took to the streets after the government announced that it would lay off 17,000 workers, to help reduce the $3.2 billion deficit. This will add to some 20,000 workers who were already laid off, leaving Puerto Rico with a 15% unemployment rate. According to the SEIU, “300,000 to 400,000 people — if not more” came out to protest the “massive cuts in essential public services.” There were early reports that Gov. Luis Fortuno had threatened protesters with charges of terrorism if they chose to partake in the general work stoppage, but according to SEIU representative Dennis Rivera, the government eventually “backed off.” Rivera also said the SEIU has made a formal request to meet with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, in the hopes that it will force Americans “to make a judgment call about what they want to do.”
cc: SEIU International
cc: SEIU International
cc: SEIU International
cc: SEIU International
cc: SEIU International
cc: SEIU International
Roberto Pagán, president of the Sindicato Puertorriqueño de Trabajadores (SPT), the SEIU’s branch in Puerto Rico, addresses the crowd.
cc: SEIU International
cc: SEIU International
cc: SEIU International
cc: SEIU International
The Puerto Rican flag.
cc: SEIU International
