April Thomas, 206.321.3850, april.thomas@sierraclub.org
San Juan, Puerto Rico, -- Today, unions and community, education, political, environmental and religious organizations joined together as the United People Against the Sale and Privatization of Services (Pueblo Unido Contra la Venta y Privatización de los Servicios) in a powerful walkout and march through San Juan, to push back against the forces attempting to privatize public services in Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricanes Maria and Irma. Thousands of people took to the streets of San Juan to send a powerful message to the privatizers: Puerto Rico is not for sale.
In response, Jose Menendez, Chapter Chair for Sierra Club de Puerto Rico, issued the following statement:
“The disaster capitalists, the Trump administration and even leaders in our own local government want to force the people of Puerto Rico to sell off our public assets in order to meet unjust debt obligations to international banks. Sierra Club de Puerto Rico is proud to rise in solidarity with the communities that are pushing back against privatization of our public utility, privatization and closure of our public schools, and the sacrifice of our public lands in the name of fossil fuels. We will not allow Hurricanes Maria and Irma to be used as an excuse to rob the people of Puerto Rico of our most valuable assets.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.