Turmoil and Political upheaval at the 93rd Annual LULLAC Convention in Puerto Rico
Bertha Delgado Reporting from Puerto Rico, July 30, 2022
In the beautiful island of San Juan, Puerto Rico, our evening at the LULAC National Presidential banquet was truly a night to remember. We heard a motivating speech from Vice-President Kamala Harris, “It’s time for Congress to do more” she said to an eager crowd. Later the Governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro Pierluisi, asked the LULAC members to continue to serve and provide opportunities for all Latinos in the United States. “After our fight for statehood follows the continuing fight for civil rights,” he said. “We need to vote for our U.S. president, representation in Congress and equal treatment in all federal programs, he added.
During the National Presidential Banquet our LULAC National President Domingo Garcia took to the podium on stage echoing that Texas has gone beyond the call by raising thousands of dollars for scholarships. As I sat in the crowd, I felt humbled to be part of such an amazing Civil Rights organization. Our own District 7 Deputy Director, Ms. Gloria Leal was honored with the National Award of Civil Rights.
However, Texas representatives to the convention have experienced disrespect and made to feel un-welcomed by the LULAC Puerto Rican members since our arrival.
We were awakened by a knock on the door with a letter of cancellation of all LULAC events, including the general assembly. A temporary retraining order was also filed in court preventing any voting from occurring. Orders were given that anyone violating the restraining order could be fined $10,000 or face suspension from the organization.
In an attempt to take over the leadership of our organization, over 350 new “paper” councils were created on the island within less than 90 days. Hundreds of thousands were spent to create councils; bus people to San Juan; reserve free hotel rooms; and provide free flights from New York.
President Domingo Garcia has stated, “ I have been a proud member of LULAC since 1983”, I am a volunteer and never taken a salary or any money since being elected.” “ In fact, I donated over $300,000 to keep us stable since we were $1.3 million deficit.” “Today we have a sound financial base and are growing.” “Unfortunately, that has made us a target.”
He went on to declare “ I know we will win the election because of a strong belief in God, family, and country.”
“Por que con ganas y Dios todo se puede,” ¡Hasta la Victoria!
As Deputy Director of Women, District 7; President of East Austin Council #322425, I have witnessed to many examples of how politics, greed, thirst for money and power continues to play a huge part in take-overs and infighting within our organizations and groups.
This is a cycle of destruction that I hope to see end in my lifetime. We must respect each other in truth and dignity.
¡La Lucha Sigue!
Reportando en vivo para La Prensa, desde Puerto Rico,
Tu servidora, Bertha Rendon Delgato,
¡QUE VIVA LULAC!
