The December issue of La Voz is out!

Our Deepest Sympathy and Unswerving Solidarity with Ald. Roberto Maldonado's Family
By José E. López, Executive Director, PRCC
On behalf of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center- its Board of Directors and staff- I wish to take the moment to express our deepest sympathy and our heartfelt, unswerving solidarity with Ald. Roberto Maldonado and his family. They have gone through one of the most difficult and trying situations any family can go through. Roberto has lost his dear and loving mother, Carmen, and Nancy, his beloved wife, is facing a serious health crisis. Everyone that knows Roberto knows of his deep and abiding love for his mother, wife and children.

Roberto and Nancy have faced adversity head-on. They, as a team, have confronted many challenges at all levels, but their boundless love for each other has guided them through those perilous paths. Not only has Nancy been Roberto's love, she has been his inspiration, his mentor, and his anchor. We know that even in these dark moments, she continues to light his way. We urge our community to come together as one, joining all of our ripples of energy, emanating from the depth of our very humanity-our true spirituality-to create a mighty collective current to help Roberto and his family confront these Job-like tribulations with serenity. 

Service for Doña Carmen Maldonado was today, Wednesday at Maternity BVM and the burial afterward.
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Unidos por Puerto Rico/United for Puerto Rico
A Newsletter documenting the Puerto Rican Stateside Response to the Fiscal and Humanitarian Crisis
unidosporpuertorico.wordpress.com
With over 1000 participants and 50 Congressional visits
We Stand Strong for the 
People of Puerto Rico
By Deborah López, President, Chicago NACOPRW
The Chicago Chapter of the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women (NACOPRW) took part in a National Day of Action for Puerto Rico on December 2nd at the U.S. Capitol, to demand that Congress take immediate federal action to grant Puerto Rico bankruptcy and debt restructuring protection.  This was the largest advocacy day for Puerto Rico on Capitol Hill in recent history. Close to 1000 people from twelve states arrived in spite of, in some cases, the difficulty and the long distances of traveling to Washington D.C. This expression of unity for the people who live in Puerto Rico, further motivated the leadership to follow through on creating a National Puerto Rican Agenda Coalition based on discussions previously held at Unidos Por Puerto Rico in Orlando, Florida.
The following day, December 3rd, history was made when leaders of various backgrounds and years of activism formed a nonpartisan National Puerto Rican Agenda coalition.  Several outreach committees were created to be led by individuals representing different states. Some of the committees are civil rights, veterans, environment, health, education and women.  As president of the Chicago Chapter of NACOPRW it was an honor to be asked to lead the women's outreach committee.  This committee will complement the work of the coalition.  It will be the vehicle for women to unite and organize at the local, state and federal level; to affect policies, election results and be advocates on specific issues that impact the Puerto Rican diaspora and the people of Puerto Rico.  Can you imagine this committee serving as a bridge to connect with the women of Puerto Rico and joining them in solidarity?
Gutiérrez defiende
a Puerto Rico
Por Redacción de CLARIDAD
Publicado: jueves, 17 de diciembre de 2015
"Puerto Rico es una colonia de los Estados Unidos. Su soberanía reside aquí en el Congreso de los Estados Unidos y no vamos a hacer nada para ayudarlos". Con esas palabras pronunciadas en el hemiciclo de la Cámara de Representantes de Estados Unidos en la mañana de este jueves, el congresista Luis Gutiérrez dejó saber que votaría en contra del proyecto ómnibus presupuestario del gobierno estadounidense.
Gutiérrez, de origen puertorriqueño y representante Demócrata por el cuarto distrito de Illinois, habló en el hemiciclo en inglés y en español y censuró que el ómnibus presupuestario no proporcionaba "un camino a seguir en medio de los recortes presupuestarios, los recortes en los servicios, el aumento del desempleo y de los bancos codiciosos y los tenedores de bonos que exigen más y más aún cuando el pueblo de Puerto Rico tienen cada vez menos".
Hizo alusión a que votaría en contra del presupuesto porque si no hay escuelas en Puerto Rico, policías para defender a la gente en la calle, doctores o enfermeras para curar a los enfermos, tampoco habría un voto para el presupuesto "hasta que haya justicia para el pueblo. Y le digo a todo Congresista que vota a favor de este presupuesto, que le niega un futuro a Puerto Rico y le traiciona al pueblo de Puerto Rico. Gracias".

Los esfuerzos del congresista Gutiérrez para que se incluyese un alivio a Puerto Rico en el proyecto de ómnibus presupuestario no dieron resultados. El día antes, Gutiérrez se reunió con la líder Demócrata Nancy Pelosi, junto con miembros del Caucus Hispano del Congreso (CHC), el Caucus Afro-Americano del Congreso (CBC), y el Caucus del Congreso Asiático del Pacífico (CAPAC) para discutir el acuerdo de financiación del gobierno que será votado en la Cámara esta semana. 
Según informó su Oficial de Prensa, en particular el representante discutió lo que hay - y no hay - en el paquete de ómnibus presupuestario con relación a la crisis financiera de Puerto Rico. Gutiérrez agradeció al Caucus Hispano del Congreso por su defensa de Puerto Rico. 
"No puedo mirarle en los ojos al pueblo puertorriqueño y haber votado por este proyecto de ley, ya que debería haber incluido un alivio para Puerto Rico para mantener al día las escuelas, hospitales y seguridad pública - las funciones básicas de gobierno - abiertas y funcionando durante estas navidades y el año que viene," dijo el representante Gutiérrez. "El Congreso no está tomando la situación en Puerto Rico lo suficientemente en serio y cualquier persona que vote por el ómnibus es cómplice de la tragedia económica y social dirigida hacia Puerto Rico." 
"A los Republicanos no les importa si Puerto Rico flota o se hunde, siempre y cuando a los tenedores de bonos se les pague", dijo el congresista. "Pero estoy decepcionado de que el tema no se ha elevado hasta el nivel donde los Demócratas estén dispuestos a pelear. Así que Puerto Rico sigue hundiéndose y necesita ya sea que este Congreso disfuncional o la administración pasiva de Obama tome medidas". 
El representante Gutiérrez es miembro del Comité Permanente Selecto de la Cámara sobre Inteligencia, del Comité Judicial y el Subcomité de Inmigración y Seguridad Fronteriza, y el Subcomité de Crimen, Terrorismo, Seguridad Interna e Investigaciones.

Mark-Viverito Slams Congress For Not Giving Debt Relief To Puerto Rico
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito criticized Congress Wednesday for not supplying any debt relief for struggling Puerto Rico.
Mark-Viverito, who is one of the nation's leading Puerto Rican elected officials, said Wednesday that the lack of action by Congress was "very disappointing."
She said she feared that basic services on the island would be reduced as it battles to pay down its debt.
Mark-Viverito, who was born in Puerto Rico, grew emotional at City Hall when she called it a "humanitarian crisis."
On Sunday, Mark-Viverito had been urging Congress to pass a spending bill allowing for Puetro Rico to restructure its debt - along with U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), state Sen. Gustavo Rivera (D-The Bronx).
But a spending bill without any such provisions was issued on Wednesday.
Territorial bankruptcy protection laws would have helped the territory restructure their debt in a way that would also help stimulate economic growth, the politicians said in a statement Sunday.
Republicans have opposed allowing Puerto Rico to declare bankruptcy as a way to help mitigate their $72 billion government debt.
The unincorporated U.S. territory is struggling to make payments on $72 billion of debt.
The island may default on January 1st of next year if it can't make a payment of more than $900 million. It only narrowly managed to make a $350 million payment on Dec. 1st.

National Council of La Raza:
Refusal to Provide Bankruptcy Protection to Puerto Rico Is a Profound Failure of 
Congressional 
Republican Leadership
By Janet Murguia, President NCLR
  WASHINGTON, D.C.- Showing both a failure to take responsibility and a failure to lead, congressional Republicans today refused to include provisions in an omnibus spending bill that would have provided critically needed bankruptcy protection for Puerto Rico and helped to avert a looming humanitarian crisis on the island where 3.5 million American citizens reside.
"For nearly a century, when America asked hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans to serve their country, they answered the call. Yet, when the island sent out a distress signal, Republican leaders in Congress chose to ignore it. In a display of staggering irresponsibility, these leaders frittered away a golden opportunity to use the budget agreement to solve this issue," said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza).
"Whatever short-term advantage Republican lawmakers believe their misguided decision gives them pales in comparison to the long-term consequences of their failure to act. This issue is not going away. Choosing not to fully address the problems that Puerto Rico is facing will directly harm the millions of Americans who live on the island," added Murguía. "The responsibility for a permanent solution still lies at Congress's feet. While some health care provisions in the bill are helpful, the people of Puerto Rico deserve better from the federal government than this piecemeal approach. Congress knows that without bankruptcy provisions there is no real legislative solution to this crisis and we are now looking to the administration and others to provide much-needed relief."
NCLR-the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States-works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

Los proyectos que proponen quitar el control de sus finanzas al gobierno de Puerto Rico
Por José A. Delgado, El Nuevo Dia
Proyectos republicanos presentados en la etapa final de la redacción del ómnibus presupuestario en que se quiere incluir por lo menos una autorización para el gobierno de Puerto Rico reestructurar su deuda pública, han advertido que - sea otorgando acceso al capítulo 9 de la ley federal de quiebras o asignando fondos para lidiar con el grave problema de liquidez -, la intención es arrebatarle a los funcionarios electos de la isla el poder sobre las finanzas. 
Puerto Rico's Debt Relief to Get Supreme Court Hearing
NYTimes
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to decide whether Puerto Rico, which is in the midst of a financial crisis, may allow public utilities there to restructure $20 billion in debt.
Puerto Rico's lawyers had urged the court to take immediate action in light of the overall magnitude of the commonwealth's debts, around $72 billion, which it says it cannot pay.
"Anyone who has even glanced at the headlines in recent months knows that the commonwealth is in the midst of a financial meltdown that threatens the island's future," the lawyers wrote in their petition seeking review of an appeals court decision that struck down a 2014 Puerto Rico law allowing the restructurings.
"Because that decision leaves Puerto Rico's public utilities, and the 3.5 million American citizens who depend on them, at the mercy of their creditors," the commonwealth's lawyers wrote, "this court's review is warranted - and soon."
The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, in Boston, said the 2014 law, the Recovery Act, was at odds with the federal Bankruptcy Code, which bars states and lower units of government from enacting their own versions of bankruptcy law.
CONTINUE READING.

From Puerto Rican Cultural Center & Programs

Get well soon, compañero Justino!
Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School, the Puerto Rican Cultural Center and National Boricua Human Rights Network would like to wish our New York comrade Justino Rodríguez a speedy recovery as he adjusts to his regular routine after surgery. Justino, you are in our thoughts and we wish you the best 2016 has to offer. ¡Siempre pa'lante compatriota!
Paseo Boricua Parranda 2015
La tradición sigue
By Juanita Garcia, PRCC
The Christmas spirit was alive and well in the Teresa Roldán Senior Apartments where the annual Paseo Boricua Parranda has commenced in the last five years. Residents and their families enjoyed Puerto Rican favorites arroz con gandules, pasteles, and lechón, during Hispanic Housing's yearly Christmas party, while listening to música jíbaro being played by some of our community's finest músicos. 
Community residents and members of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center gathered outside the Christmas party excited about this community tradition that brings together different generations of people. This year a cancionero of eleven pages was produced and everyone was excited about being able to participate and sing along.
Delia Peña led the parranda (on the bullhorn) and her son Carlos Agosto (on the bongos), and Humboldt Park's saint Betí Guevara. Several participants also brought their own instruments which created a festive and resounding sound between the flags. 
We were greeted with much enthusiasm by business owners and their employees and patrons: Papa's Cache, La Havana Café, Luquillo Barbershop, La Plena, Chicago's Finest Barbershop, Jayuya Barbershop, Lily's Records, Dance Academy of Salsa & Modern Latin Dance, LCC Music Studio, Latin American Restaurant, Yauco Liquors and La Bruquena Restaurant. All of the business contributed to the parranda in one way or another. Participants enjoyed pollo chón with tostones, coquito, ron caña, delectable cookies with hot chocolate, an asopao made by Lugo, and restaurant discount coupons. 
The parranda, with over 75 participants, ended at La Casa de Don Oscar y Doña Blanca, a storefront on Paseo Boricua. It was a great opportunity to be able to share with residents Oscar's story. Members of National Boricua Human Rights Network were present and were able to collect over twenty new petition signatures advocating for the release of Oscar López Rivera. 
Nuestro Bello Barrio came together to put on this much anticipated annual event known as the Paseo Boricua Parranda. Muchísimas gracias a todos que ayudaron hacer la parranda un éxito. An extra special thank you to Delia Peña, Carlos Agosto, Felícita Ferrante, Ray Fernández and Betí Guevara for blessing us with their talents, to Hispanic Housing and Paul and Ida Roldán, and to all the pleneras y pleneros who play from their hearts and sing from their souls to keep our beautiful traditions alive.

On Sale Now

November Chicago Magazine "Why José López Stands Between Gentrification and Humboldt Park"

Be sure to pick up the November issue of Chicago Magazine, which features an interview by Puerto Rican Cultural Center ED José E. López conducted by Elly Fishman.
Los Tequis
BEFORE YOU GIVE YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBER: THREE TIPS FOR ONLINE SHOPPING
By newseditor, Lavasoft
As the holidays are around the corner and Black Friday sales start earlier every year, we want to keep our users safe and secure by providing the following online shopping tips: 
Is Everything Up-To-Date?
Before you start your online shopping, ensure that your preferred web browser is up-to-date. Most browsers list update information in the Help or About sections of their main menu and updates are a critical component of avoiding the latest security and privacy threats.
Additionally, ensure your operating system is up-to-date and that the latest security updates are downloaded and installed on the system. Most operating systems download and install critical system updates automatically so most users can skip this part. Windows users who've disabled this automatic update feature can search for the Windows Update interface. In Windows 7, this is accessible through the Start Menu search bar by typing "Windows Update." In Windows 8, click the Windows icon in the left corner to open the Start Screen and scroll to the far right- select the magnifying glass icon on the top right corner and search for Windows Update. Select "Check for updates" or "Check Now" depending on the respective operating system to verify that your version is up-to-date.
Check your antivirus software - are the latest virus definitions and updates installed? The user interface of your antivirus program should indicate whether additional updates are required. 

From Our Community Partners

Community Celebrates  
UrbanTheater Company's 
10th Anniversary
by Ivan Vega, Executive Director 
UrbanTheater Company's Urban Décima (10th) Anniversary Celebration this past Thursday, December 10th at El Cid, was amazing! We are thrilled to have been able to make professional theater accessible to the Humboldt Park community for the last decade. We recognize the importance of this moment and the relevance of having reached this milestone as a Latino theater company. Throughout the evening the room was with filled with community, culture, love, inspiration, mentorship and excitement. A special thanks to El Cid, our UTC ensemble, our performers: Armando Quintero, Soli Santos, Jaime De Leon, Mary Alduen and José Natal from The Last of the MoRicans and everyone who was present to share this moment and make our event a huge success. Congrats to our Urban Legacy Award honorees: Mike Oquendo, José E. López and Idali R. Vega for their ongoing support and leadership in the development of UrbanTheater. Here's to the next 10 years!
The Campaign to Free Oscar López Rivera has its own 
e-newsletter: The Water's Edge/La Orilla del Mar
Published approximately every two weeks
View past issues here.

Write to Oscar:
Oscar López Rivera, #87651
FCI Terre Haute
PO Box 33
Terre Haute, IN 47808
In NYC
Avant-Garde Theater Troupe Premieres Performance on Oscar: 
"Seditious Conspiracy Theater: A Monument to Political Prisoner Oscar López Rivera"
By Matt Meyer, War Resisters International
December seems always to be a joyous time for me in NYC, in part because the wonderful Bread and Puppet Theater comes to town to do a week or two of holiday shows and circuses. 2015, however, marks a very special occasion: B&P decided to make this year's show all about building "a monument to Puerto Rican Political Prisoner Oscar López Rivera." But Bread and Puppet Theater, formed in 1963, is an unusual kind of troupe. Its politically oriented shows have routinely considered issues like affordable housing, rats and police conduct. 
The December 16th Opening Night festivities, where over 125 people were present, included a large contingent from the campaign to free Oscar, including folks from all over New York, New Jersey, and Chicago. It was the birthday of National Boricua Human Rights Network leader L. Alejandro Molina; War Resisters International activist Matt Meyer opened the evening by introducing NYC Oscar Campaign Coordinator Ana M. López, who read a specially-prepared greeting to Bread and Puppet from Oscar himself (excerpt below). Lots of information about the campaign was passed out to all who were assembled, and the excitement at the artistry and camaraderie was palpable, as B&P founder Peter Schumann joined the Puerto Rican comrades with their puppet named "Outcry!" Now is the time for all of us to cry out, reach out, pray out, and work out to FREE OSCAR LOPEZ RIVERA! It is time to bring him home. 
"I would like to thank the members of the Bread and Puppet theater for its solidarity with the campaign for my excarceration. I'm extremely grateful for the support you're giving me and for all the support you have given to just and noble causes. You exemplify what we need most in this world - a profound sense of compassion and solidarity in action.  
I believe no one should accept colonialism no matter where it exists or who practices it, because it's a crime against humanity.  And no one should accept  human rights violations anywhere in the world. We must always remember that the violations of the human rights or the others are also violations of ours.  Every single one of us is affected.  
Hopefully someday I'll be able to thank you in person not only for the support you have given me but also for all the great work you have done and continue doing.  Big hugs to all with short Puerto Rican arms."
"Meeting a Man Like That, You Can't Help Wanting to Do More": A Visit With Political Prisoner Oscar López Rivera
By Jan Susler, Truthout | Op-Ed
Oscar López Rivera has served 34 years in US prisons for seditious conspiracy - in other words, for his commitment to the independence of Puerto Rico - though he wasn't convicted of hurting or killing anyone. Since 1898, when the US militarily invaded and occupied Puerto Rico, there hasn't been a single decade in which there hasn't been an independentista imprisoned. But it is unusual that López Rivera has served so many years - longer by far than any other Puerto Rican independentista in history, longer than his codefendants, longer than offenders convicted of violence and longer than the 27 years served by the world's most renowned political prisoner, Nelson Mandela.
In a united voice, Puerto Rican society has called on President Obama to release López Rivera. This call has come from the current governor of Puerto Rico, who made a historic diplomatic visit to see him, from former governors, from the legislature, from the Puerto Rican Bar Association, from the archbishop and the entire ecumenical community, and from universities and artists and poets. Editorials from the island's main daily newspaper have channeled this support into consistent, strong expression, calling López Rivera's ongoing imprisonment "the symbol of a flagrant dishonor for his jailers and an affront to democracy that fails to respect human rights."
"Historic" Vote: Newark City Council Passes Resolution in Favor of Oscar's Freedom!
By José E. Velazquez , NJ Committee to Free Oscar Lopez Rivera
At the request of Councilman Luis Quintana, the Municipal Council of Newark, NJ passed a resolution demanding President Obama the release of Puerto Rican political prisoner Oscar López Rivera. The resolution demands an immediate pardon as his continuous incarceration is unjust and serves no legitimate purpose. The resolution proposed by Councilman Quintana was seconded by Councilor Osbourne and approved by all present, with the exception of Councilwoman Mildred Crump, who abstained from voting. It is with this that the Newark Municipal Council joins the New York City Council and the movement for the release of Oscar López Rivera, Puerto Rican political prisoner imprisoned for more than 34 years in federal prison. The release of López Rivera has become a point of unity among Puerto Rican society and has the support of international groups, recipients of the Nobel Prize, President Jimmy Carter, Desmond Tutu, Coretta Scott King and dozens of other political, cultural, and religious leaders who have asked President Obama that Lopez Rivera be released based on political and humanitarian positions. Lopez Rivera was part of a group of Puerto Ricans imprisoned in the 1980s for "seditious conspiracy" for actions related to the struggle for the independence of Puerto Rico. Oscar Lopez Rivera is serving a sentence of 70 years. Councilman Luis Quintana described the municipal council vote as "historic" and said he will continue to support the release of López Rivera. Recently, the Puerto Rican Parade of Newark decided to dedicate the 2016 parade to the political prisoner. Luis Negrón Ocasio, NJ Coordinator of the Oscar Lopez Rivera Pro-Freedom Committee, thanked the work of Councilman Quintana and said that those who want to support this cause may do so at njoscarlopezrivera@yahoo.com.
A Gift for Oscar and a Gift for You
By the National Boricua Human Rights Network
This holiday season, make a donation of $25 or more, NBHRN will provide you with the music CD "La Lucha es Vida Toda", which was put together by Puerto Rico's most famous musical legends, Lucecita, Andy Montañez, Roy Brown, El Topo, Zoraida Santiago and many more. A musical classic and well as a historical milestone, the other campaign to free Oscar.

Give a gift to Oscar and you will receive a gift.
For more information: info@boricuahumanrights.org

This the Second Limited Edition
AGUEYBANA - Roy Brown y Zoraida Santiago
EL PEQUEÑO OSCAR - Tony Mapeyé
MI PEPINO EN EL RECUERDO - Trío Taboas-Scharrón
MIL PEDACITOS DE TI - Andy Montañez
EL FUEGO DE CHICAGO - Intifada
EN CÍRCULOS - Mickie Rivera, Chabela, Antonio Cabán Vale "El Topo"
JUSTICIA CLANDESTINA - Tito Auger y Así Somos
SEÑOR FEDERADO - Lucecita Benítez
LA CELDA - Walter Morciglio, Fofé, Eduardo Alegría
UN ABUELO Y SU NIETA  - (poema) Alicia Rodríguez
NIÑA - Danny Rivera
NO PUEDO DEJARME SALIR -Fernandito Ferrer
NO ME ARREPIENTO - (poema) Rafael Cancel Miranda
LA FIESTA DE OSCAR - Haciendo Punto en otro Son

Independentistas ayunan 24 horas en apoyo a preso puertorriqueño Oscar López
POR EFEUSA
San Juan, El sector independentista puertorriqueño conmemora hoy el día internacional de los derechos humanos con un ayuno de 24 horas en apoyo a Oscar López Rivera, quien lleva 34 años en prisiones de EE.UU. por conspiración sediciosa.
Desde las 19.00 hora local del miércoles, la Plaza de La Barandilla, en el Viejo San Juan, se convirtió en albergue para cualquiera que quisiera unirse a la vigilia, organizada por el Comité Pro Derechos Humanos de Puerto Rico y presidida por el licenciado Eduardo Villanueva Muñoz.
"No existe fundamento de política pública ni de seguridad que diga que Oscar debe seguir en prisión. Es un encierro de intimidación de parte de las autoridades", argumentó Villanueva Muñoz en entrevista hoy con Efe.
"Hace rato, hace años que (López) debió ser excarcelado", añadió Villanueva durante el tercer ayuno que organiza en apoyo al independentista puertorriqueño. El primero fue hace ocho años y el segundo, varios años más tarde, de 72 horas.
La vigilia arrancó a las 19.00 hora local del miércoles con la proclamación del poema de un joven escritor local, seguido de una invocación por parte del sacerdote católico francisco Rafael Torres, del municipio de San Lorenzo, sobre el profeta Isaías y cuyo pasaje bíblico lo compararon con la lucha de López Rivera desde la prisión.
Villanueva dijo que el ayuno de esta ocasión se hizo durante la época navideña por su simbolismo espiritual, pues para él, el concepto de la Navidad "se ha desvirtuado por el consumismo".
Su intención es que la gente piense "en el sufrimiento que ha tenido Oscar por amor a su país y exigir la libertad de la patria".
Lo único que ingerirá Villanueva durante las 24 horas del ayuno será agua y "pedialyte", que es una bebida que recupera los electrolitos que el cuerpo humano pierde al no consumir comida.
Puerto Rican Cultural Center
o. 773/342-8023 f. 773/342-6609
info@prcc-chgo.org

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