The Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, announced this Sunday her plan for Puerto Rico in a place full of symbolism: the Fairhill neighborhood, in Philadelphia, known as “El Centro de Oro”, the epicenter of the Puerto Rican community for many years. more than half a century.
Inside the Puerto Rican restaurant Freddy & Tony’s, anticipation was high before Harris’s arrival.
The diners ate stuffed potatoes and alcapurrias with devotion, nervously looking up from the plate at every moment, expectant to see the Democratic candidate.
Greeted with a standing ovation, Harris greeted those present and reminded that there were only nine days left until the November 5 elections.
“We’re going to win, and that’s in part thanks to the work you all have done,” he began. “These nine days are key; our goal is to win and, in the process, build community, form coalitions and remind everyone that we are in this together,” he added.
Plan for the island
While attendees recorded her with their phones, Harris presented her plan for Puerto Rico, focused on improving the economy of an island that has faced a long debt restructuring process, an unstable electrical system, high unemployment and mass emigration to the United States. continental.
As he explained, the plan includes the creation of a “working group for Puerto Rico’s opportunities”, in which the federal government, the private sector, non-profit organizations and community leaders will participate, with the aim of promoting growth. economic and generate well-paying jobs in Puerto Rico, especially for young people.
These proposals were received with enthusiasm by attendees, among whom was the Mayor of Philadelphia, Cherelle Parker, and prominent Latino figures such as Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada, who represents the district that includes the neighborhood where the event was held.
At the end of his speech, Harris joined the audience’s clamor in Spanish: “Yes we can, yes we can!”
Delma Santiago, owner of the restaurant, confessed that she had not been able to sleep for three days due to nerves before Harris’ visit.
Emotional after the event, Santiago told EFE that “it was a unique experience,” hitting her chest as her eyes filled with tears.
“My vote is 100% for her,” said Santiago, surrounded by her sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and her usual cooks. “I believe in her, in what she says, in what she has done in the past and in what she will do in the future,” he said.
Santiago founded Freddy & Tony’s in 1980 with her husband, who passed away in June of this year.
An iconic place among Latinos
Like many others, they decided to open their restaurant on a corner of the Fairhill neighborhood, a dense cluster of residences attached wall to wall where 80% of the neighbors are Latino, mostly of Puerto Rican origin.
Since its founding, the restaurant has become a meeting point for those looking for a piece of Puerto Rico far from the island.
The walls are decorated with imitations of the colorful houses of Old San Juan, numbered – 4 is green, 3 red – and adorned with balconies, which show off small frogs and Puerto Rican flags.
Outside the walls of the restaurant, Spanish is spoken in most businesses and the music heard has Caribbean rhythms.
One of Delma’s sons, Antonio Santiago, stressed the importance of Harris reaching out to the community. “It was very positive that he came to the neighborhood, because this is where everything begins. Their presence demonstrates their commitment and support towards Puerto Rico and our people,” he told EFE.
His wife, Chanoa Santiago, agreed, highlighting the need for leadership that “engages with the community, understanding its difficulties and the economic problems that working families face.”
Total gratitude
“We are full of gratitude and understand that this is bigger than our family; it is our community, our culture and it is an honor to be part of this historic moment,” Chanoa added.
Harris’ visit to the Puerto Rican community comes at a time when polls show an especially close race with former president and Republican candidate Donald Trump.
In Pennsylvania, one of the key states for the elections, only 6% of the population is Latino, approximately one million people, half of whom have Puerto Rican roots. This vote could be decisive, especially considering that in the 2020 elections the president, Joe Biden, beat Trump by just over 80,000 votes.
Philadelphia / EFE
#Harris #presents #plan #Puerto #Rico #Puerto #Rican #heart #Philadelphia
