by Deborah López President,
Chicago Chapter, NACOPRW The Chicago Chapter of the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women (NACOPRW) commemorated Women’s International Day by being the first chapter to organize an informational forum on the crisis in Puerto Rico and its impact on stateside communities. The event titled, “A Women’s Perspective: Puerto Rico’s Human Rights Crisis” was held at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture on Saturday, March 12, co-sponsored by 
PRCC. Over 80 guests attended the forum, representing generations of women and men in solidarity who share our vision for a more equitable society. The crisis in Puerto Rico is chipping away at basic human rights such as education and health care, and we urge everyone to choose how they can help. Attorney Wilma Reveron Collazo, visiting speaker from Puerto Rico, described historical facts that led to this state of emergency affirming that this crisis has left the women, head of households, in the most vulnerable position in the society along with the elderly. An experienced presenter, Reveron presented a complex reality in a conversational way and helped put a face on the crisis. As she stated: “…es que la crisis tiene cara de mujer.” Clarisa López is one of many women directly affected. She shared personal anecdotes about her father Óscar López Rivera whose disproportionate sentencing have internationally galvanized all sectors of society asking for his release because it’s unjust. When confronted with injustices, it moves us to speak in one voice. At this juncture we call upon women of all sectors to join advocacy efforts to relieve Puerto Rico’s human rights crisis and to free Óscar López Rivera.
