During its monthly meeting on Saturday, May 3rd, the Puerto Rican Agenda welcomed New York City Councilwoman, Melissa Marks-Viverito to Chicago’s Puerto Rican community. Melissa came to Chicago to participate in a conference at Loyola University held by UIC’s Great Cities Institute as a participant discussing participatory budgeting. Melissa has distinguished herself as a fearless fighter for the rights of her constituents in the historical Puerto Rican/Latino section of New York’s El Barrio particularly around the issues of gentrification. She has also been a strong voice in the movement for Immigrant Rights, and has filled her agenda with broader issues that impact the Puerto Rican people including the struggle to get the US navy out of Vieques, the struggle against the ecological compromising gasoducto and the struggle to free Puerto Rican political prisoners. Melissa is positioned to become the Speaker of the City Council of New York City after her upcoming election. Thus, perhaps making her the most important Puerto Rican/Latino leader in New York City.
