World Environment Day (WED) is observed every year on June 5 to raise global awareness to take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet Earth.
It is run by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). “World Environment Day (WED) is the United Nations’ most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment.
Since it began in 1974, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in over 100 countries.”
Orlando Campus
Address: 550 N Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando, FL 32825
Friday Oct. 23, 2015 – 6:30pm – 8:30pm
“There will be war to the death against all Puerto Ricans.”
–Puerto Rico Chief of Police, E. Francis Riggs-
When it won the Spanish-American War in 1898, the U.S. acquired Puerto Rico as a new “possession.” The American who led the invasion, Gen. Nelson A. Miles, promised “liberty” to Puerto Ricans. He also promised “prosperity” and “the advantages and blessings of enlightened civilization.”
This never occurred.
Puerto Rico was stripped of her land and natural resources by U.S. banking syndicates. By 1934, the theft was so extreme that Puerto Ricans organized an island-wide agricultural strike. In response to this strike the Yale-educated Chief of Police, whose father owned the Riggs National Bank, promised that “there will be war to the death against all Puerto Ricans.”
I lived all my childhood, teenage and early adult years in the Island.
It wasn’t until 1999 that I moved to the United States.
I went to a Catholic private school for all of my schooling. Needless to say, I grew up totally Americanized.
We learned about the history of the Island but nothing like I learned when I first read this book.
It took me 60 years to become fully aware of what has been done to Puerto Rico by “the master”.
Puerto Rico has never been independent .. only for a few days after freeing itself from the claws of the Spanish empire.
After the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico, along with several other nations under Spanish rule, became bounties of war and were handed over to the United States.
But I digress ….
I read the “War” book in total disbelief ….
How could the “greatest country in the world” do these things to another country under their “protection”?
I completed my reading withing three days.
I couldn’t fathom that these things occurred in my country. I was born in 1950 … the year that the “revolution” was squashed by the might of the super-power and the corruption of the local government.
Last night, I had the opportunity to meet the author and thank him personally for taking the band off my eyes and for educating me about the true story of Puerto Rico, my country.
The battled raged back in the 50’s and it’s still raging to this day.
In 1950, after over 50 years of military and colonial rule, the Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico staged an unsuccessful armed insurrection against the United States. Violence swept through the Island: assassins were sent to kill President Truman, gunfights roared in eight towns, police stations and post offices were burnt down. In order to suppress this uprising, the US Army deployed thousands of troops and bombarded two towns, marking the first time in history that the US government bombed its own citizens.
Nelson A. Denis tells this powerful story through the eyes of the controversial life of Don Pedro Albizu Campos, the president of the Nationalist Party.
Esta versión de La Borinqueña fue interpretada por Ednita Nazario, Ruth Fernández
y Cesar Hernández en un especial de Navidad del Banco Popular de Puerto Rico.
~Himno Verdadero de Puerto Rico~
~Uploaded on Apr 15, 2008~
Himno revolucionario de Puerto Rico
This video was complied to honor the death of another great Puerto Rican Hero .. Filiberto Ojeda. The lyrics are those written to express the feelings behind the colonization of Puerto Rico at the hands of “the master”.
It Is What It Is 