Over 30 faith-based activists, among them Pastors, seminary students, pastors, church and community leaders, social justice activists, theologians, and individuals committed to building a just economy opened the first day of SCUPE (Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education) 2014 Congress on Urban Ministry, by attending the "Confronting Gentrification in an Immigrant Community. Building Community as a Counter-Narrative to Globalized Re-Colonization" which José E. López, the Executive Director of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center led last Tuesday, June 24, 2014.

Taking place at the DePaul University Student Center in Lincoln Park, José led the workshop participants through a brief history of the Puerto Rican migration, the concept of "gentrification". There was much engagement and discussion, since several of the participants had grown up, or attended church in the area. A large percentage came from Europe, specifically for the conference. Almost everyone signed petitions to Pres. Obama demanding Oscar's freedom. Many individuals stayed afterwards to continue the discussion and exchange contact information.

On June 13th, the PRCC received a donation of 25 cases of water from Fil Mendez Guipoco (Health Equity Director) and Lyzeth M. Mondragon (Administrative Associate) from the American Heart Association to assist in this year's Puerto Rican People's Day Parade & Festival. Because of their support, we were able to provide bottled water to 600 partakers, volunteers, and community residence that participated in the parade. The Puerto Rican People's Day Parade was a huge success, in part due to their help. The Puerto Rican Cultural Center appreciates the contribution that was made and would like to thank Fil Mendez Guipoco and Lyzeth M. Mondragon for their generosity.

As a student at the University of Illinois, John Vincler had the opportunity to work as a Librarian-Activist on Paseo Boricua for over a year. During that time, John spearheaded a collaboration between the Pedro Albizu Campos High School and the famed Newberry Library. For the first time in its history, youth were allowed to go beyond a visit to the Newberry... way beyond. The PACHS students curated the Newberry's very first exhibit on Puerto Rico, called "500 Years of Puerto Rican History through the Eyes of Others." The students learned to think critically about how their history was represented in treasured cultural institutions. Moreover, they learned that their voices could be heard in such places. And they caught a glimpse--through John--of passion and power inherent in librarianship today and a taste of what a career in libraries could mean. The Newberry, on the other hand, learned about the intelligence and potential of Puerto Rican youth in Chicago. In the following interview, part of the "Bright Young Librarians" series, John discusses the impact of Paseo Boricua on his education and gives further insights into the idea of community as intellectual space. By Dr. Ann P. Bishop, PRCC Board of Directors

I owe my career to the Newberry Library in Chicago and in particular to mentor librarians and curators there, especially Paul Gehl, Mary Wyly (long-retired and probably completely unaware of her influence), and Jo Ellen McKillop Dickie. I wandered into the profession from a rather counter-intuitive route. After receiving an undergraduate degree in English literature with a minor in philosophy, I found myself in Chicago working on a long-running independent literary magazine and working at what was then a start-up non-profit called the Electronic Literature Organization, which sought--in the heady days of the dot-com boom before the inevitable bust--to chart and promote how literature was migrating into new media with special attention to emerging forms like hypertext fiction and kinetic poetry. We had funding from dot-com CEOs and a literary board with literary heavyweights like Barney Rosset, George Plimpton, and Robert Coover. When the bubble burst, I was out of a job (the organization was taken in by UCLA) and I found my way into a fundraising job at the Newberry. My experience working at the ELO sparked an interest in the role of form, materiality, and technology in literature.  I became interested in the experiments of the OULIPO in France (the acronym in English translates roughly to "the workshop of potential literature") and then began a gradual slide into history culminating in an ongoing interest in the incunable period. I ended up working at the Newberry Library for about five years on and off, eventually working in a paraprofessional position in Special Collections. During this time I earned two master's degrees one in the History of the Book through the University of London and a library degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. I don't know if there is a better place to begin a career than at the Newberry Library, a fantastic collection, overseen by knowledgeable, lovely, and generous people, and in a livable yet cosmopolitan city where you can financially survive as a culture-worker in training.  

Amazon will now donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases when you shop at AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com). We will reach out to Puerto Rican Cultural Center to ensure it is ready to accept donations from Amazon. Share on Facebook and Twitter- show your friends how they can support the Puerto Rican Cultural Center.

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José Roldan is heading to Chicago! "Father Forgive me For I Have Sinned" was invited to partake in the Culture Creators Monthly Series Pop-up Store in Humboldt Park, In Chicago Illinois! The show 

will be showcased for three nights only on June 26th, June 27 and June 28th 2014. 

Tickets can be purchased online at www.reyespoetry.com/culture-creators or at the door. 

Father Forgive Me For I Have Sinned, is an Multi-Award winning auto-biographical coming of the age  story. The story centers a young Latino boy, who grew up in the South Bronx of New York City in the 

80's/90's. José shows us just how he tries to identify himself in a world of stereotypes. He introduces you to the most memorable members of his family, from the freestyle queen of the Bronx to his Bruja Tia who has discovered the secret in keeping a man. Jose takes you from the mean streets of the Bronx and the living room of his family's apartment to moments of his self-acceptance. Written and  Performed by José Roldan Jr and Directed by Dante Albertie. 

Here are some video clips of show. 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tTdbJM5sLU 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcVYyokBHTg&feature=related 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiM2dc06eq0&feature=related 

For more info on José please follow the following link: 

www.Joseroldanjr.com 

If you would like more information about the show, or to schedule an interview with José Roldan, 

Please send an email to Info@father-forgive-me.com

CHICAGO - Norwegian American Hospital ranks number one in Chicago, and fifth best among Illinois' best performers for reduced hospital-acquired infection rates according to recently released preliminary federal data. This new data comes as hospitals prepare to be penalized annually by Medicare if improved patient care and lower infection rates are not met. The effort was implemented as a part of the 2010 federal health law.

"At Norwegian American Hospital improving quality is our first priority. It starts with our leadership - the board of trustees and the executive team," said José R. Sánchez, president and CEO of Norwegian American Hospital. "The executive team made quality their number one focus. We have a benchmark of zero for reducing hospital-acquired infections so every member of the team is responsible. We make sure it remains on the forefront of our agenda."

"By instituting simple safety checklists for hospital procedures, and by insisting on a team approach that includes everyone from housekeeping to nurses to physicians - patient quality has improved and hospital infection rates have significantly dropped," said Abha Agrawal, M.D., Chief Operating Officer/Vice President of Medical Affairs.

Starting in October, Medicare will penalize hospitals that have the highest rates of infections and patient injuries. In Illinois, about 21 percent of the hospitals scored by Medicare would face penalties based on this preliminary data. Measures include:

• The frequency of bloodstream infections in patients with catheters inserted into a major vein to deliver antibiotics, nutrients, chemotherapy or other treatments.
• The rates of infections from catheters inserted into the bladder to drain urine.
• A variety of avoidable safety problems in patients including bedsores, hip fractures, blood clots and accidental lung punctures.
• Over the next few years, Medicare will also factor in surgical site infections and infection rates from two germs that are resistant to antibiotic treatments: Clostridium difficile, known as C. diff, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, known as MRSA.

For Norwegian American Hospital's infection rating click here:  http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/business/hospital-infections/

CHICAGO, IL - Orgullo en Acción (OEA) and the Chicago Dyke March Collective (CDMC) will partner-for the first time-as they bring the Dyke March to the Humboldt Park community for the first of two years. The 2014 Dyke March will kick-off at Roberto Clemente High School on the southwest corner of Western and Division at 3:30pm and march west down Division Street to the "Boat House" in Humboldt Park. The Latina/o PRIDE Picnic, which has been held in the community for almost 10 years will be the ending point for the Dyke March rally and picnic from 4pm-7pm, which will incorporate elements that have made both events a tradition in the LGBTQ community.

"We are honored to march in Humboldt Park and celebrate its strong history of resistance and presence of dyke, queer, bisexual, and trans folks", shared Mayadet Patitucci Cruz, CDMC member. "Weare excited to support and march alongside the many organizations, community members, and spaces that work hard to bring forward the challenges and needs of dyke, queer, bisexual, transgender, lesbian and gay community, which Orgullo en Acción has been supporting in community for years."

"We are excited to bring our diverse community together and celebrate all the beautiful things that make us who we are with Dyke March," exclaimed Dulce Quintero, OEA board member. "The Latino PRIDE Picnic grew out of a grassroots initiative and continues to stay true to creating a space where LGBTQ-GNC Latina/os and their allies of all ages can celebrate their multiple identities with pride. We are committed to keeping activities that include a children's play area, community art project, grilling, main stage performances, dancing and community building."

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the first school in the US to be named after legendary Baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, Clemente Community Academy is offering the opportunity to become a part of that history. For a limited time, we will commemorate donations to the Roberto Clemente 40th anniversary fundraiser by adding the names of those who have contributed to the Wall of Fame. This will be a permanent display in our lobby which will highlight the names of all who have given generously  to the celebration. Each brick will carry the name of the person making the donation or one of the below options. The donations will fall into 3 categories, Standard $50, All-Star $100, and MVP $250.

3 pricing options-

* Wall of Fame-$50 donation

* All-Star $100 donation

* MVP $250 donation

 All bricks are bronze with black lettering and border

 Naming options available are :

* Name

* Name and Graduation Year

* Mr & Mrs Name

El Comité Dominicano de los Derechos Humanos convoca a un importante encuentro a todos los medios de comunicación e información de masas para participar en el "Encuentro por la libertad de Òscar López Rivera", un ciudadano boricua que guarda prisión injustamente en Norteamérica, desde hace 33 anos.

Oscar López Rivera es un famoso luchador por la causa independentista y nacionalista del pueblo de Puerto Rico. Veterano de la guerra de Vietnam -por cuyo valor en el frente de batalla fue debidamente condecorado- posteriormente abrazó los elevados ideales del patriota puertorriqueño, Ramón Emeterio Betances, por lo que se dedicó en cuerpo y alma a luchar desde el corazón de los Estados Unidos de América por la independización de Puerto Rico.

Su activismo por un "Puerto Rico Libre" a la postre lo llevó a ser acusado junto a otros de conspiración para derrocar al gobierno federal de los Estados Unidos y condenado a 70 años de prisión. Actualmente es el único preso político del hemisferio occidental.

La actividad en apoyo a la libertad de Òscar López Rivera será realizada este viernes 27 de junio de 2014 a partir de las 4:00 de la tarde en el auditorio principal de la Biblioteca Pedro Mir, de la Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD).

"Todoa los dominicanos que se sientan solidarios con esta causa están invitados este encuentro por la libertad de Lopez Rivera", dice la nota enviada a Ultimas Noticias.

By Ana Lopez, NYC Coordinadora to Free Oscar Lopez Rivera

On June 23rd, 2014 during the Special Committee of 24 on Decolonization, the call for the immediate release of political prisoner Oscar López Rivera reigned.  Sixteen (16) petitioners demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Oscar López Rivera.  A few asked for a pause in deliberations for 33 seconds, in honor of Mr. López Rivera's 33-year struggle for justice. Oscar send a special message read by Ana M. Lopez at the United Nations calling for the creation of "a united front to create a decolonization project to resolve the status question of Puerto Rico" ( See full text below). Many petitioners and friends during lunch intermission from 1-3pm took to the 8 hour vigil and rally outside the United Nations sponsored by NY Coordinator to Free Oscar López Rivera and United Comrades to Decolonize Puerto Rico. The people that took turns and did 33 minutes in the "imagined prison cell" in solidarity with Oscar Lopez Rivera  were : Iris Colón (La Coordinadora) , Jesus Mangual ( La Fundacion Andres Figueroa Cordero) , Ana M. López ( La Coordinadora),  Jose López Sierra (Companeros Unidos por Descolonizacion de Puerto Rico) , Lourdes Garcia ( 33 mujeres X Oscar), Fernando Ponce Laspina ( la coordinadora & El Maestro), Camilo Matos (la Coordinadora & Partido Nacionalista), Richard Lopez, Vivian Natal (community activist), Elspeth Meyer (la Coordinadora & Resistance in Brooklyn) , Roberto Mercado (photographer),  Carmen Morales, Julio Rolón ( community activist), Miguel Antonio Reyes, Evaristo Silva Cintrón,  Jose L. Nieves, Ismael Muller Vazquez (Frente Socialista), Juan G. Pedrosa (familia de Evelino Gonzalez Claudio) and others.   The rally from 1:45-3:00 pm was spirited and counted with the participation of groups that did go together in the "cell" were folks like Sonia Santiago, Dilma, Madres Contra la Guerra, Olga Sanabria, Digna Sanchez ( Comité de PR en ONU), Eduardo Villanueva ( Comité de Derechos Humanos de PR), Jerry Segarra, Wilson Soto ( Partido Nacionalista de PR), Eric Ramos (PIP), Maria de Lourdes Guzman (MUS),  Jan Susler  (Oscar's lawyer) Martin Koppel (SWP) and  many others.Spirited chants like "this is year 33, Oscar López Rivera must be free" were echoed.   Many passerby signed petition from different countries. The rally was covered by the local press and TeleSur TV.

The resolution was very specific: The Special Committee on Decolonization on June 23rd called on the United States to again expedite a process that would allow the people of Puerto Rico to fully exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and independence, as well as take decisions, in a sovereign manner, to address their economic and social needs.

By a resolution approved by consensus, the Committee would have the General Assembly urge the United States to complete the return of occupied land and installations on Vieques Island and in Ceiba to Puerto Rico, respect fundamental human rights and cover the costs of decontaminating areas previously used in military exercises.

Also by the text, the Special Committee - formally known as the Special Committee on the Situation with Regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples - would have the Assembly reiterate its request to release Oscar López Rivera and Norberto Gonzalez Claudio.  Both individuals were political prisoners serving sentences in the United States for cases relating to the struggle for Puerto Rican independence.  The text also expressed concern about the actions carried out against Puerto Rican independence fighters and encouraged an investigation of those actions.

The Assembly, by other terms, would reaffirm the inalienable right of the people of Puerto Rico to self-determination and independence, and reiterate that the Puerto Rican people constituted a Latin American and Caribbean nation with its own unequivocal national identity.

Costa Rica introduced the resolution of CELAC reiterating Puerto Rico's Latin American and Caribbean nature.  This was echoed by Nicaragua, Bolivia and Ecuador.

The Special Committee suspended hearings of petitioners and moved to statements from Committee members regarding the resolution presented by the representative of Cuba. These are summaries of each country that spectators and petitioners gave rounds of applauses:  (text taken directly from the resolution)

GHOLAMHOSSEIN DEHGHANI (Iran), speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, expressed support for the right of Puerto Ricans to self-determination and independence on the basis of General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV).  That colonial question had been under consideration by the Special Committee for more than 39 years, with 32 resolutions or decisions already adopted by the Committee.  While welcoming the consensus adoption of those texts over the last decade, the Movement called on the United States to expedite a process that would allow Puerto Ricans to fully exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and independence and return the occupied land and installations of Vieques Island and at the Roosevelt Road Naval Station to the Puerto Rican people.

JAIME HERMIDA CASTILLO (Nicaragua), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), said the death penalty should not apply to Puerto Rican freedom fighters imprisoned in the United States.  Efforts should continue until Puerto Rico became a member of CELAC and the United Nations.  Thirty-two resolutions and decisions had been adopted, with many by consensus.   He expressed solidarity within the Latin and Caribbean region, which should become one free of colonialism, as it was now the third international decade of eradicating colonialism.  With 25 July marking the 116th anniversary of intervention by the United States, it was time to put an end to rooting natural resources and other exploitations.

SAMUEL MONCADA (Venezuela), noting that five decades had passed since the adoption of resolution 1514 (XV), said colonialism had prevented Puerto Rico from building a free society.  At the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States summit in Havana, Cuba, Venezuela had promoted Puerto Rico's participation as an observer.  The outcome document from that summit emphasized that Puerto Ricans had their own national identity, and that the General Assembly should examine all aspects of the question of Puerto Rico. Latin America and the Caribbean should be free from colonialism.  Venezuela supported the release of Oscar López Rivera, who had been held for 33 years, and was pleased to co-sponsor the resolution.

IHAB HAMED (Syria) said 25 July would mark the anniversary of United States intervention in Puerto Rico.  Numerous resolutions had reaffirmed Puerto Ricans' right to self-determination, in line with resolution 1514 (XV). The United States must accelerate the process whereby Puerto Ricans could exercise their inalienable right to independence and self-determination.  Those who had spoken out had faced violence, intimidation and arrest.  Recalling that Syria had always supported the position of the Non-Aligned Movement on the matter, he urged the United States to abide by today's resolution, create conditions conducive to the exercise of Puerto Ricans' inalienable rights, and release the detainees for defending those rights.

LUIS MAURICIO ARANCIBIA FERNÁNDEZ (Bolivia) stressed the importance of strengthening multilateralism in the context of Puerto Rico's right to self-determination and independence.  He also noted a series of resolutions of the General Assembly's Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) on implementing the 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples as well as the outcome of the second Summit of CELAC Heads of State.  He urged the United States Government to assume its responsibility to expedite a process that would allow Puerto Ricans to fully exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and independence and return the occupied land and facilities to the Puerto Rican people.   

JOSÉ EDUARDO PROAÑO (Ecuador) said the second Summit by Heads of CELAC in Havana had recognized the Latin and Caribbean nature of Puerto Rico and reaffirmed its commitment to become a region without any colony.  The United States Government should comply with General Assembly resolution 1514 and accelerate a process that would allow Puerto Ricans to fully exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and independence.  He also called for the immediate release of political prisoners, including Oscar López Rivera.

CAROL VIVIANA ARCE ECHEVERRÍA (Costa Rica), speaking for CELAC, said the Latin American and Caribbean character of Puerto Rico was highlighted in January at the organization's summit in Havana.  The Community was committed to working in the context of international law, particularly resolution 1514 (XV), to free the region from colonialism.

Havana, Cuba, Jun 24.- Cuba reiterated at the United Nations on Monday its demand for the end of the colonial status of Puerto Rico, which translates into the materialization of that nation's right to self-determination and independence.

Cuban ambassador Rodolfo Reyes presented the new document on the issue at the UN Decolonization Committee by stressing that such prerogative has been recognized by the United Nations since 1960, when the international community proclaimed the need to put an end to colonialism in all its forms and manifestations.
 
The committee has adopted 32 resolutions and decisions urging Washington to assume its historic responsibility to favor a process that allows Puerto Ricans to enjoy their rights.
 
The initiative presented by Cuba and baked by Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Venezuela, ratifies the Latin American and Caribbean nature of Puerto Rico and it demands the end of repression against Puerto Rican independence activists and the release of Puerto Rican political prisoners Oscar Lopez Rivera and Norberto Gonzalez Claudio.(acn) Keep reading.

La Organización de Naciones Unidas (ONU) aprobó este lunes la trigésima tercera resolución que ratifica el derecho que tiene Puerto Rico a la libre autodeterminación e independencia, tras cinco siglos de colonimismo bajo el dominio de los Estados Unidos.

En el documento aprobado por el Comité de Descolonización de la ONU, se destaca a la región como una "nación con identidad propia e inconfundible". También se insta al gobierno de Estados Unidos a que devuelva las tierras usurpadas, libere a los presos políticos y promueva un proceso en el que los puertorriqueños puedan desarrollar sus derechos.

El texto también refleja el respeto al rechazo mayoritario de los puertorriqueños a su actual estatus de subordinación política, el cual impide tomar decisiones soberanas para atender sus necesidades y desafíos, entre ellos los graves problemas económicos y sociales de la isla.

Además esta iniciativa presentada por Cuba, con el patrocinio de Venezuela, Nicaragua, Ecuador y Bolivia, ratifica el carácter latinoamericano y caribeño de Puerto Rico, cuestión que la copresidenta del Movimiento Independentista Nacional Hostosiano (MINH), Wilma Reverón Collazo, consideró que neutraliza el discurso norteamericano de calificar el tema de un asunto doméstico.