On Saturday Sept. 24 at El Museo del Barrio, NYC Council Pres. Melissa Mark-Viverito, and Queens College Pres. Dr. Felix Matos Rodriguez organized a forum on Oscar López Rivera which featured Puerto Rica National Hero Rafael Cancel Mirada. Rafael entered el Museo del Barrio anked by Positive Workforce members who presented him with a safety vest, a union helmet and chanted ¡Viva Puerto Rico Libre!
As he entered the auditorium, the audience enthusiastically rose and chanted support for Don Rafael and for independence for Puerto Rico. Distinguished Dr. Felix Matos, President of Queens College introduced the panel of speakers. First was Clarisa López Ramos, daughter of Oscar López Rivera, who read a very moving letter from her father to Don Rafael. Next, Dr. Margaret Power, history professor at Illinois In- stitute of Technology, spoke about the transnational support for the struggle for Puerto Rican Indepen- dence throughout Latin America. Prof. Ana López, professor at Hostos Community College, then gave an impressive account of the organizing for the October 9, 2016 rally in Washington, D.C. to free Oscar López. Don Rafael then gave an impassioned speech focusing on how proud he was to be Puerto Rican and that he was not sorry that he attacked the U.S. Congress.
