Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:56 — 25.6MB) | Embed
Host: Shawn Spruce
Tax breaks and other incentives are driving wealthy, outside investors to buy up property in Puerto Rico. That’s pushing housing prices up, exacerbating the island’s debt crisis, and threatening the country’s long-held tradition of public access to beaches. Today on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce speaks with Roberto Borrero (Taino), president of United Confederation of Taino People; Gualterio Alomar (Taino), president of the Organization for Culture of Hispanic Origins; Zulma Oliveras (Taino) an activist, counselor and LGBTQ+ advocate; and Tai Pelli (Taino), international relations and human rights officer for the United Confederation of Taino People.
Break 1 Music: Taino-Arawak Welcome Song (song) Joan Henry (artist) Kanogisgi – Song-Carrier (album)
Break 2 music: Umumutayayata (Rolling Thunder) (song) Clark Tenakhongva (artist) Öngtupqa (album)
Thank you for dedicating a full hour for this discussion from the perspective of indigenous Puerto Ricans, There is so much more that can be discussed for instance what U.S. citizens and Puerto Rican diaspora can do to put pressure not only in Congress but the White House and other people in positions of power to put a stop to this indiscriminate looting of resources, land grabs, and violation of human rights of the people of Puerto Rico at the hands of rich Americans. The midterm elections are just around the corner, many candidates are already trying to win over the vote of the Puerto Rican diaspora, this is a key moment to put pressure to demand justice for Puerto Rico. This was a great conversation.