US: March in San Juan (Puerto Rico) confirmed July 22 /update 7

Event

Puerto Ricans are planning to hold a massive march in San Juan on Monday, July 22, to demand the resignation of Governor Ricardo Rossello. Protesters are expected to gather outside the Hiram Bithorn stadium on the Roosevelt Avenue in Hato Rey at 09:00 (local time), before heading towards the exit that connects with the highway Luis Ferré Express, also called Las Americas Express, in direction of Caguas. On the highway, protesters will take the exit 5B, connecting with the Jesus T. Piñero Avenue. The march will then continue on the Piñero avenue before heading towards San Juan on the Luis Ferré Express, and will then reach the exit PR-23 Avenue Roosevelt.

A heightened security presence along with transportation disruptions are expected along the march route. Clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out. Similar protests related to the ongoing crisis are likely throughout Puerto Rico, and particularly in San Juan, in the coming several days and weeks. Commercial disruptions, such as the closure of the Plaza Las Americas mall, are also to be expected.

Context

Similar protests demanding the resignation of Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló were held throughout Puerto Rico since July 13. The protests were called following a scandal involving hundreds of pages of leaked texts between Rosselló and his cabinet members containing misogynistic and homophobic language Despite admitting to writing the messages, Rosselló has refused to resign.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has also implicated members of Rosselló's cabinet in fraud, conspiracy, and other corruption-related investigations.

Advice

Individuals in Puerto Rico, particularly San Juan, Caguas, and other cities with large Puerto Rican communities, are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all public gatherings, and anticipate a heightened security presence and localized transportation and business disruptions.