Hurricane Maria made landfall on Wednesday, September 20th at 6:15 AM south of the Yabucoa Harbor in Puerto Rico. The National Weather Service recorded sustained winds between 155 – 175 miles per hour making it a Category 5 hurricane. Rainfall measurements were reported in some areas as high as 3 feet and the entire island was left without electricity. As the days and months progressed, so did the death count. The newly reported count of people who lost their lives either during or as a result of the hurricane is 2,975. The estimated cost of the damages from the storm is $100 billion dollars.
Puerto Rico is a United States Territory
The politics surrounding the recovery efforts have only caused harm to our fellow Americans. News Flash – Puerto Rico IS a colony of the United States and Puerto Ricans are American citizens! There is a laundry list of whom is to blame for the pain and suffering that the residence of Puerto Rico are forced to endure.
Movimiento Borikua
Movimento Borikua is a local movement mobilizing the Puerto Rican diaspora in Maricopa County, Arizona. On September 20th, one year after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, a group of Arizona citizens grouped together for a vigil in remembrance for the almost 3000 dead and those displaced from their home. Stories were told of the horrific event as well as pride in Puerto Rican heritage and a desire to rebuild better and stronger than before.
Rebuilding Through Celebration
View the video above to see and hear the stories and also celebrate the upcoming event on Sunday, September 23rd at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix, Arizona
308 N 2nd Ave, Phoenix, AZ
Doors Open at 5PM
Visit the Event here and purchase a ticket!
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