Puerto Ricans Rally in Newton for 'Fair Economy'

NEWTON, MA – Boston-area Puerto Ricans and advocates rallied Wednesday in Newton to protest the island's fiscal plan. Demonstrators argued the new plan from Puerto Rico's Financial Oversight Board will make significant cuts to public services, such as schools and health care.

A coalition of community, labor and human rights groups held the rally outside of Bay Boston Financial Firm on Centre Street. The group called for auditing Puerto Rico's debt and ensuring the people are not held liable for debt acquired "unlawfully," raising revenue for the island's budget through measures such as calling for equality in Medicaid/Medicare funding, protecting workers' rights, adequately funding pensions and establishing measures for long-term economic development.

The coalition called the economic plan "draconian" and expressed concern over possible corporate interests among members of the Financial Oversight Board profiting from Puerto Rico's debt. Otoniel Figueroa, commercial director of union 32BJ SEIU and Miriam Ortiz, executive director of the City School, spoke at the rally.

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