Puerto Rican Independence Party

From Free net encyclopedia

The Puerto Rican Independence Party (Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño (PIP) in Spanish) is a Puerto Rican political party that campaigns for the independence of Puerto Rico from the United States.

Those who follow the PIP ideology are called independentistas (usually called pro-independence activists by English speaking media) or pipiolos.

Image:PIP.logo.gif

1 History
2 Party logo
3 Controversies
4 Quotes
5 Important party leaders
6 See also
7 External link
8 References

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History

The party began as the electoral wing of the Puerto Rican pro-independence movement. It is the largest of the independence parties, and the only one that is on the ballot during elections (other candidates must be added in by hand).

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Foundation

The party was founded in 1946 by Gilberto Concepción de Gracia (deceased in 1968). [1] He felt the independence movement had been "betrayed" by the Partido Popular Democratico, whose ultimate goal had originally been independence.

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1970s

In 1971, the newly elected PIP president, Rubén Berríos, then 31, led a protest against the U.S. Navy in Culebra. At that time, he was found guilty of tresspassing federal lands and incarcerated for three months (see also: Navy-Culebra protests).

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1990s

In 1999, PIP leaders, especially Rubén Berríos, became involved in the Navy-Vieques protests started by many citizens of Vieques against the presence of the U.S. military in the island-municipality (see also: Cause of Vieques).

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2004 Election

During the 2004 elections, the PIP was in serious danger of disappearing, obtaining only 2.4% of the popular vote (According to Puerto Rican electoral laws, a party that receives less that 3% of the vote is considered eradicated). But leader Rubén Berríos announced that, if that happened, party leaders would quickly make sure that it is quickly re-instated. On the other hand, Maria De Lourdes Santiago made history that year by becoming the first female member of the PIP to be elected to the Puerto Rican senate.

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Party logo

The PIP's symbol is a green flag with a white cross; because of this, it is identified as the green party, both with the voting public and in the election ballots. To the party, the green color signifies hope of becoming free, and the white cross, the sacrifice and commitment of the party with democracy. The flag is based on the flag of the municipality of Lares, on which the first attempt of revolutionary insurgency, El Grito de Lares, took place in September 23, 1868.

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Controversies

Many among the general public have associated the Independence parties, including the Partido Socialista Puertoriqueno with violent acts of terrorism such as those committed by Los Macheteros. However, the party has never acknowleged links to any attacks, insisting that they want independence through peaceful means, and no proof has ever been found to corroborate these allegations. The PIP has participated in frequent congresses of international non-Marxist socialist parties.

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Quotes

"Our life will always be --devoid of weaknesses, free from surrender, without fear of the powerful-- until our soul enters the mistery of eternity, dedicated to democracy; to peace; to the independence of Puerto Rico; to genuine social justice; and the fraternity of all Puerto Ricans. To the struggle and victory!" -Gilberto Concepción de Gracia, (President of the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) from the PIP's founding day, on October 20, 1946 until his death in 1968)

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