STRIKE! Students shut down Puerto Rico's largest university, 19 guards injured in clashes
Press reports are beginning to come in to Chicago about a massive strike of students at the largest university in Puerto Rico, as cuts similar to those planned for Chicago and already in place in other states (such as California) continue to destroy public education. Below are articles about the situation in Puerto Rico. The protests and strike began on April 20, according to media sources.
A video of students making fun of university security can be found at
http://www.elnuevodia.com/videos-pelotondepayasospolicias-154516.html
Puerto Rico university closes as students strike, The Associated Press, updated 11:29 a.m. ET, Wed., April 21, 2010
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - One of the largest universities in the Caribbean closed Wednesday as hundreds of students clashed with security guards during a 48-hour strike to protest budget cuts and changes to the academic program at the University of Puerto Rico.
The university's Rio Piedras campus, its largest, will remain closed indefinitely, interim Chancellor Ana Guadalupe announced.
She said she made the decision after 19 guards were injured in the clash.
Guadalupe said the closure would delay the graduation scheduled for June 17, enrollment in August and affect students who have been accepted to universities abroad.
The strike comes three weeks before classes end.
Students have sought to meet with university President Jose Ramon de la Torre to talk about budget cuts, course changes and a proposal to increase university fees.
The university has 11 campuses and more than 65,000 students. Its alumni include U.S. Rep. Nydia Velasquez and former baseball player Bernie Williams.
