And in Puerto Rico, hundreds of people gathered in Old San Juan in opposition to a proposal for toxic aerial fumigations aimed at fighting the Zika virus. The protest brought together activists, environmentalists, farmers and students. Many were also protesting the recently signed PROMESA bill, which will establish a federally appointed control board with sweeping powers to run Puerto Rico’s economy. Activist Melissa Vargas spoke in front of an ongoing protest camp in front of the U.S. federal court, where activists have been protesting the PROMESA bill.
Melissa Vargas: “Really, all of this, every one of these particular problems are tentacles of a big monster, which is the government. And basically, the government is not defending us, is not representing us. The government is not fulfilling its duty to protect its citizens.”