Some protesters played percussion instruments while others held a large black banner that read “USA OUT OF PUERTO RICO, END COLONIALISM AND OCCUPATION, YANKI GO HOME.” Another banner read “STATEHOOD = COLONIALISM,” while still other protesters held placards reading “NO TO STATEHOOD” and featuring the original flag of Puerto Rico—the current, colonial flag of Puerto Rico was designed to match the U.S. flag.

For years Cuba has introduced, and the UN Special Committee on Decolonization has approved, a resolution calling on the United States to decolonize Puerto Rico, which the U.S. asserts is a self-governing “commonwealth.” Last year’s resolution was joined by Mexico (on behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States), Syria, and the Russian Federation.

“Colonialism under the American boot has plunged Puerto Rico into a deep economic and social crisis,” said Edil Sepúlveda, co-founder and spokesperson for Boricuas Unidos en la Diaspora. “Sixteen continuous years of economic depression, and years of massive emigration, looting and deterioration of all resources, have an entire people at the precipice of irrevocable outrage and discontent against the United States.”

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