Demonstrators Shut Down Traffic in San Juan

Frances Robles, Alejandra Rosa and Patricia Mazzei

July 22, 2019 5:40 PM

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans filled miles of a major highway in San Juan on Monday, marching in what is appears to be one of the largest protests the island has ever seen against Gov. Ricardo A. Rosselló, who has resisted persistent calls for his resignation.

The highway, Expreso Las Américas, teemed with people who carried Puerto Rican flags, waved protest signs and chanted to demand the removal of Rosselló, who said Sunday that he would not seek reelection in 2020 but would stay in office through his current term — and face possible impeachment.

Monday’s protest is part of an island-wide strike intended to paralyze Puerto Rico beyond San Juan. Organizers hope to draw 1 million people — about one-third of the island’s population — to the highway. That would eclipse the vast crowd that marched from the Capitol to the governor’s mansion, La Fortaleza, on Wednesday, culminating in clashes with police. Some of the protesters on Monday said they will again head to La Fortaleza.

Protests against Rosselló began more than a week ago, after the publication of 889 pages of a leaked group chat between the governor and his closest aides. Besides being offensive, the messages revealed a cozy relationship between the governor and former staff members who now represent special interests.

The crude messages were the final straw for Puerto Ricans who have suffered for years because of economic austerity measures and the devastation of Hurricane Maria.

Before Monday’s march, the biggest shopping mall in San Juan, Plaza Las Américas, announced that it would not open for the day. Some banks also were closed and university classes were canceled.

And cruise ships will again be diverted from calling at the port Monday, keeping thousands of tourists away from small businesses in Old San Juan that depend on them.

On Monday morning, El Nuevo Día, Puerto Rico’s largest newspaper, published a rare front-page editorial. “Governor, it’s time to listen to the people,” read the above-the-fold headline. “You must resign.”

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

Frances Robles, Alejandra Rosa and Patricia Mazzei