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It is time for Puerto Rico to become our 51st state. |
The People:
With 3.337 million people (2017) Puerto Rico has a larger population than 21 states and a density higher than all 50. As a state it would fall approximately between Connecticut and Iowa. The largest city is San Juan, the island’s capital. It has a population of 395,326 (2010), making it the 48th largest city in the U.S.
History:
Prior to Columbus’s discovery in 1493 on his second voyage to the New World for Spain, the island was inhabited by the Taíno or Arawakan who came from South America. They were accomplished builders and had a complex spiritual and social culture.
The U.S. acquired the island in 1898 after the Spanish-American War during the signing of the Treaty of Paris. All the inhabitants of Puerto Rico were granted U.S. citizenship in 1917.
2018:
A referendum was held June 11, 2017 and 97% voted for statehood (although there was a boycott led by the pro-status quo PPD party.) On June 27, 2018, nearly one year after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, Rep. Jenniffer González filed H.R.6246 – Puerto Rico Admission Act of 2018 that would pave the way for Puerto Rico to become a state in 2021. It is time as the UN’s Special Committee has requested to allow the people of Puerto Rico to decide.
On September 24, 2018, the U.S. President declared an absolute no on statehood for Puerto Rico.
The colonial treatment has to end!