Aviles discusses Puerto Rico's colonial status and debt
Aviles describes Puerto Rico as the world's oldest colony, controlled by the U.S. government and Wall Street. She criticizes predatory debt practices, La Junta, and projects like Project Esencia that displace Puerto Ricans.
Today, the island is the world
oldest colony.
Its political and economic systems remain controlled by the U.S.
Government and its Wall Street allies.
The resolutions we will vote on today reject the corporate takeover of Puerto Rico.
They call for an end to the predatory debt practices that put Wall Street profits over the needs of working Puerto Ricans.
That is a practice that is allowed by the New York State Legislature, something we can do in this state.
They demand an end to La Junta, the unelected body that acts as a shadow government over the island.
They reject destructive developments like Proyecto Esencia and millionaire tax havens that displace Puerto Ricans and disconnect them from their land and resources.
A fight we are having throughout our city as we too and our communities face displacement.
By predatory practices and the same financial institutions that are not only pillaging this city, but cities across the country.