Pa'lante: Aug. 13
Issue #13: Supplies were left sitting in a parking lot, why Puerto Ricans no longer trust their drinking water and more
Puerto Rico Hurricane Maria Donations Never Given Out, Left Sitting in Parking Lot: At least 10 trailers filled with supplies donated for Hurricane Maria victims were left sitting in a parking lot for months outside of a state elections office in San Juan. The containers had been broken open and were infested with rats. No one seems to be taking responsibility for the unattended supplies.
The non-perishable items, including canned goods and batteries, will be distributed. Read more by David Brennan at Newsweek.
Puerto Rican Government Acknowledges Hurricane Death Toll of 1,427: The government of Puerto Rico said it is awaiting the results of a George Washington University study on the death toll and will update the official count then. (Frances Robles / New York Times)
New Coalition Plans Seven-Figure Campaign Aimed at Puerto Rican Voters: The Latino Victory Project, which supports Democratic candidates, is working to register and mobilize Puerto Ricans to vote. (Ed O’Keefe / CBS)
Another Flint? Why Puerto Ricans no Longer Trust Water After the Hurricane: “The water comes out of the tap white, and sometimes dark and dirty, with particles in it. Before the hurricane, the water wasn’t like that. My house was full of water; it smelled really bad. Me, my son, my aunt and even the doctor here have got sick in some way. It’s made me a little paranoid. Traumatized.” – Marta Rivera, a resident of Arecibo (Oliver Milman / The Guardian)
How a Lesbian Union President and Evangelical Nonprofit Leader Teamed Up to Get Puerto Rico Clean Water: Operation Blessing has been working in Puerto Rico for the last three weeks to supply residents with water filters and other needed supplies. (Rebecca Ruiz / Mashable)
In Puerto Rico, New School Year Begins After Hurricane Maria, Big Changes to Education System: “There’s a fiscal problem first. Transforming the education system from a quality perspective and an academic achievement perspective is hard to separate from the financial and the administrative piece, because that controls what I’m actually able to deliver.” – Julia Keleher, Puerto Rico’s education secretary (Nicole Acevedo / NBC News)
Juggling...And Struggling To Re-Imagine Arts And Culture In Puerto Rico: Arts and cultural institutions on the island are at risk because of the economic crisis. (Diane Orson / WNPR)
The Perfect Storm: Building a Crypto-Utopia in Puerto Rico: Cryptocurrency investors are moving to the island and intend to help the island using blockchain technology. But local people are concerned the investors are just bringing with them a new type of colonialism. (Tom Silverstone and Positive Mass Films / The Guardian)
Thanks for reading. If you have news you think should be considered for inclusion in next week’s issue, please email palante.news@gmail.com.
Pa’lante!