THE PUERTO RICAN CULTURAL CENTER 2739-41 W. Division Street • Chicago IL 60622 • p: 773/342-8023 f: 773/(773) 913-0706

2013-2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BOARD OF DIRECTORS NEWS Dr. Margaret Power THE Chairperson Contact:PUERTO RICAN Isabel Sophia Dieppa P: 773-395-4935 L. Alejandro Molina CULTURAL CENTER C: 773-934-5683 Secretary “Live and Help to Live” [email protected]

Michael J. Hannan 24ta FIESTA BORICUA “de BANDERA a BANDERA” Treasurer Celebrate with us a total and authentic immersion in the best of Puerto Rican culture

Members-at-large The Puerto Rican Cultural Center is proud to present the 24th edition of Fiesta Boricua, taking place during Labor Day weekend, September 1-3, in the vibrant cultural corridor on Division Dr. Ann P. Bishop Street known as Paseo Boricua. Alderman Roberto Maldonado, the Division Street Business Development Association (DSBDA), the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, and State Representative Maria Antonia Berrios Cynthia Soto invite all Puerto Ricans, Latinos and residents of Chicago to come enjoy a weekend of celebrations for the entire family. Our honored guests are: Carmen Yulin Cruz Soto, Mayor of Members Emeritus San Juan, and the Puerto Rican patriot, Oscar López Rivera. Rev. José Alberto Torres (deceased 2005) The beginning of these celebrations will be marked by a press conference on Friday, September 1 at 11am, at Bruquena Restaurant, 2716 W. Division St, where we will unveil a new mural by the Irma Romero Puerto Rican artist Osvaldo Budet dedicated to Oscar López Rivera. (deceased 2012) Friday will also see twelve schools from the community participate in the Back-to-School Carni- Josefina Rodriguez val, taking place on Division Street (between Western and Rockwell). There will be educational (deceased 2015) tents, arts and crafts, games, rides, activities with Ciclo Urbano, and free school supplies give- aways. Ex-officio member The 24th Fiesta Boricua will be ushered in with an evening gala- Noche Jíbara/ Guayabera Gala to José E. López be held at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture located at 3015 W. Division St. Executive Director The weekend festivities will also include three stages of music, (including one on Rockwell and Division dedicated to youth voices), Pro Wrestling demonstrations, and Domino matches.

On the Main Stage, a variety of Puerto Rican musical genres will be presented, premiering a new concept of “Los Timbaleres que Cantan” highlighting the amazing voice of Zayra Pola Ocasio, Pablito Rosario’s Old School Salsa, and the emerging Salsa Master Pirulo. Additionally, the Fiesta will host the bomba and plena of Afri- Caribe, the rap and hip hop by Pinqy Ring, the folkloric mountain music of Puerto Rico by the Niños Trovadores of Comerio. The enchanting of singer Tito Auger and the stellar performance of Grupo Aroma, among performances by other musical groups.

This year’s Fiesta is dedicated to the recently released Puerto Rican political prisoner Oscar López Rivera, (and posthumously) the young community activist Jonathan Rivera Lizardi with the Mayor of San Juan Carmen Yulin Cruz as special honored guest.

FOUNDED IN 1973 24th Fiesta Boricua highlights: FRIDAY, SEPT. 1, 2017 ● 11am, Press Conference, La Bruquena Restaurant, 2716 W. Division St. Announcing details of Fiesta Boricua with San Juan’s Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz Soto, Ald. Ro- berto Maldonado, and ex-political prisoner Oscar López Rivera.

· 12pm, Dedication of new mural honoring Oscar López Rivera by renown Puerto Rican artist Osvaldo Budet with the participation of Jose Jorge, Executive Director of Agitarte collective and activist Jitu Brown with a special performance by Papel Machete, traveling Puerto Rican theater. La

Bruquena Restaurant, 2716 W. Division St.

· 2pm Forum on the historical role of tobacco production in Puerto Rico with a workshop on cigar- making by Master Puerto Rican Cigar maker Harry León (Tabaco El Roble) at La Casita de Don Pedro, 2526 W. Division St.

● 5pm, Community as a Campus BACK to SCHOOL CARNIVAL opens on Division St, between Rockwell and Campbell.

● 6pm, Dinner reception: Noche Jíbara / Guayabera Gala at the National Museum of Art and Puerto Rican Culture, 3015 W. Division St, at., with special musical presentations by Grupo Aroma, los Niños Trovadores de Comerio and Tito Auger. Honoring San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz Soto, Oscar López Rivera and Jonathan Rivera Lizardi.

FOUNDED IN 1973 SATURDAY, SEPT. 2, 2017

● 10am Conversatorio/Forum: “The Humanitarian and Economic Crisis in Puerto Rico- Challenges and Possibilities” with San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz and ex-political prisoner Oscar López Rivera. Casa Puertorriqueña Daniel Ramos, 1237 N. California.

12pm Fiesta Boricua performances and program begin

● Car Show ● Jayuya Barber Shop Domino Encounter ● Tent “El Fogón de Doña Susana” serving arroz con gandules (prepared on a Puerto Rican fogón) and lechon asado en la varita; Homemade Sofrito by Glenda Guzman ● Back to School Carnival ● Puerto Rico cigar making by Harry León (Tabaco El Roble)

● 3pm Misa Jíbara: a folkloric Catholic Mass inspired by traditional Puerto Rican Mass, serves as an invocation for Fiesta Boricua. Misa Jíbara is not only an expression of the spirituality of Puerto Rico, but a dynamic, creative and cultural syncretism in which elements from traditional Puerto Rican music are used. It will take place on the Main Stage.

● 7pm Bomplenazo at La Casita de Don Pedro, 2620 W. Division St.

FOUNDED IN 1973 SUNDAY, SEPT. 3, 2017

12-8pm Fiesta Boricua performances and program. ● Car Show ● Jayuya Barber Shop Domino Encounter ● Pro Wrestling Demonstration (3pm) ● Homemade Sofrito by Glenda Guzman ● Back to School Carnival ● Puerto Rico cigar making by Harry León (Tabaco El Roble)

4:30pm Special Recognition and Protocol Ceremony honoring Oscar López Rivera, Jonathan Rivera Liz- ardi (posthumously) and San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz Soto. Main stage (Division and California)

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FOUNDED IN 1973 ABOUT OUR HONORED GUESTS PG1

Recently released Puerto Rican political prisoner, Oscar López Rivera, and San Juan’s Mayor Car- men Yulin Cruz will be honored during the 24th Fiesta Boricua taking place Sept. 1-3. They will also participate in a series of community events including a press conference, mural dedication, gala event, a forum, a Puerto Rican folkloric Catholic mass, and during the Fiesta Boricua’s protocol ceremonies.

The two will be available for media interviews. Topics of discussion will be the current fiscal and humanitarian crisis taking place in Puerto Rico, including the recent implementation of an oversight board--an action done against the present government’s wishes-- imposing work furloughs of 24 days in a year to Puerto Ricans living on the island.

ABOUT HON. CARMEN YULIN CRUZ SAN JUAN CITY MAYOR Hon. Carmen Yulín Cruz was born in February 25th, 1963, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Boston University, Cum Laude, and Master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. While at Carnegie Mellon Cruz was the recipient of the prestigious Spirit Award, now called the Barbara Jenkins Award, an honor given to the student with the greatest positive impact on the quality of life of their peers. After graduating, Cruz was recruited by Westinghouse Company as part of a Human Resources Management Program. She was Manager and Human Resources Director for companies such as Colgate-Palmolive, Banco Popular, Cellular One (now AT&T), Scotiabank and USA Department of Treasury. In 1992, after 12 years liv- ing in the , Cruz returned back to Puerto Rico to venture into politics, starting as advisor for the San Juan City Mayor and for the President of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives. In 2003, Cruz was a member of the Political Education Institute of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD for its acronym in Spanish). The same year, she was elected National President of the PPD Women Organization, occupying this position at present. In 2005 the Governor of Puerto Rico named her member of the San Juan Reorganization Commission. Cruz was part of the PPD Government Plat- form Program Committee ,and in 2008 was elected Representative by Accumulation at general politi- cal election. In 2012 Carmen Yulín Cruz Soto was elected Mayor of San Juan City.

ABOUT OSCAR LOPEZ RIVERA Puerto Rican political prisoner Oscar López Rivera served almost 36 years in prison, convicted of seditious conspiracy for his commitment to the independence of Puerto Rico, though he was not ac- cused or convicted of causing harm or taking a life.

Oscar López Rivera was born in 1943 in San Sebastián, Puerto Rico. Lopez Rivera moved to Chicago at the age of 14, as a part of “Operation Bootstrap,” a mass migration of Puerto Ricans seeking work in U.S. cities. He quickly learned English and helped his Spanish-speaking neighbors.

At the age of 18 Lopez Rivera was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to Vietnam. He was decorated with the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces.

Lopez Rivera was Honorably discharged from the Army in 1967, after which he returned to Chicago. Once home, he became a talented community organizer, helping to implement bilingual education, integrate the public universities, and offer educational programs in the prisons. In addition he founded alternative schools, and health and drug rehabilitation clinics, and other community institutions. His activism also convinced the government, contractors and utility companies to hire people of color.

FOUNDED IN 1973 ABOUT OUR HONORED GUESTS PG 2

Lopez Rivera’s activism helped him understand the importance people’s self-determination. This realization inspired him to work for the release of five Puerto Rican Nationalist Party prisoners. In 1981 Lopez Rivera himself was sentenced to 55 years in prison. The other prisoners affectionately called him “El Viejo” (old man). While in prison he taught many of them to read and write, and to speak English. Lopez Rivera also became a self-taught artist; his paintings and drawings have been exhibited throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Mexico. Lopez Rivera still teaches prisoners how to paint and draw, a practice he started while in prison.

Lopez Rivera’s sentence was commuted officially by President Barack Obama on January 17, 2017. After traveling to Puerto Rico on February 9, he was confined to Clarisa López Ramos’,--his daughter-- house until his release on May 17, 2017, when over 10,000 people gathered to celebrate his release. Since his commute he has traveled throughout the Puerto Rican Diaspora, New York, Chicago, Hartford, Springfield, and Holyoke. Lopez Rivera spoke before the UN Decolonization Committee, and marched in the NYC and Chicago Puerto Rican Parades as Grand Marshall. In addition he has met with ministers from the ALBA countries, and most recently, visited Nicara- gua, where he was awarded the Order of Augusto C. Sandino, the highest honor of the Nicaraguan Government.

FOUNDED IN 1973