Mayors Bill de Blasio and Miguel Romero Establish Partnership Between NYC and San Juan

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero this month laid the foundation of a partnership on culture, tourism, public safety, and emergency preparedness between New York City and San Juan, Puerto Rico. New York City is home to more than 666,000 Puerto Ricans, one of the largest Commonwealth diaspora communities in the United States. “Puerto Rican New Yorkers make our city the most vibrant city in the world, and they never forget where they came from. Their city won’t, either,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “As New York City and San Juan fight back COVID-19 and build a recovery for all our residents, now is the perfect time to deepen the ties between our cities and find new ways to support our friends in the Commonwealth.” "New York City provides San Juan with a great example of an energetic and cosmopolitan city in continuous development and growth. The lessons learned by NYC will provide a great tool for our administration to replicate and learn from. On behalf of all San Juan residents, as well as the tourists who visit us, I thank Mayor de Blasio for his commitment to the people of Puerto Rico and to the development of our capital,” said Mayor Miguel Romero. On a recent phone call, Mayors de Blasio and Romero discussed a variety of new ideas to deepen coordination between New York City and San Juan, including: In celebration of San Juan’s 500th anniversary, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and San Juan's Departmento de Arte y Cultura (Department of Art and Culture) will work together to incorporate the NYC-based Puerto Rican community in the celebration. In anticipation of the upcoming hurricane season, New York City Emergency Management will work with San Juan's Office of Emergency Management to plan joint training sessions for staff on the island. Additional coordination between the San Juan Police Department and the NYPD to train local officers on the island and share community policing procedures. Replicating the NYC City Cleanup Corps and how San Juan can implement a similar model using federal funding. # # # source: NYC Mayor's Office Press Release

Happy Birthday to Esperanza

 

Our Esperanza's birthday was January 20. Here are a few images from her fifth birthday celebration. (photos by Clarisel Gonzalez)

#kittydoggienews

Happy New Year

 

Sol #prsun mascot

Looking forward to a prosperous new year despite the pandemic.

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Happy Puerto Rican Heritage Month

 

Siempre, Luis (2020): Official Trailer on Pioneering Activist Luis Miranda Jr.

A story that embodies the tenacity and passion of the American Dream, SIEMPRE, LUIS, debuting TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6 (9:00 p.m. ET/PT) during National Hispanic Heritage Month, is a portrait of the pioneering activist Luis A. Miranda Jr. Luis is a decades-long fighter for Latino communities, a key player in the New York and national political arena, and a loving father of three – including the award-winning composer, lyricist and actor, Lin-Manuel Miranda.

 

The film will be available on HBO and to stream on HBO Max.  Directed by first-time filmmaker John James, the film had its World Premiere at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. 

The documentary centers on Luis A. Miranda Jr. who left Vega Alta, Puerto Rico for New York City in the 1970s. Filmed over the course of a year, Luis’ devotion to family and country propels him forward despite recent health issues. Always searching for ways to assist communities in need, particularly when his beloved Puerto Rico is suffering, Luis moves to action following the devastation of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, coordinating relief efforts and raising money and awareness while managing the complicated and ambitious tasks involved in bringing his son’s award-winning production of Hamilton to the island. 

With humor and heart, SIEMPRE, LUIS tells the story of an unstoppable changemaker and proud American.  The film tracks Luis’ journey in the United States, which began with his acceptance to a clinical psychology doctoral program at New York University. Following his move at the age of nineteen, Luis quickly finds success in the competitive and fast-paced world of New York City politics, becoming a key figure in communicating to political candidates the importance of engaging with the Latinx community. 

A natural problem solver and indispensable bridge to multi-cultural communities, Luis consults for a number of winning political campaigns throughout his career, including Hillary Rodham Clinton, Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand’s campaigns for the U.S. Senate and Letitia James as public advocate and New York Attorney General, among others.   

The film explores Luis’ vast career and influence in politics, including his time in the 1980’s as special advisor for Hispanic Affairs to Mayor Edward I. Koch, and Director of the Mayor’s Office for Hispanic Affairs. In 1990, Luis was the founding President of the Hispanic Federation, where he became one of New York City’s leading voices for increased support to nonprofit Latino organizations.  

In 2017, when disaster strikes Puerto Rico in the form of Hurricane Irma and is quickly followed by the catastrophic devastation of Hurricane Maria, Luis uses his influence and resources to mobilize powerful figures and organizations to bring aid to his home island in a most dire time, working closely with his family along the way. He bears witness to unprecedented national political apathy in the face of the deadliest natural disaster to strike Puerto Rico, becoming an advocate for a Puerto Rican diaspora reeling in its aftermath. He grapples with a growing national xenophobia that threatens his family’s vision of a more inclusive Union. 

Without missing a beat, he works to bring a much-needed fundraising, and morale-building, new touring production of Hamilton to the island alongside his son, Lin-Manuel, all while remaining a committed father who refuses to outsource the around-the-clock obligations that define fatherhood. 

SIEMPRE, LUIS features interviews and appearances by notable figures in politics and entertainment, such as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, the late former NY Mayor Ed Koch, Senator Chuck Schumer, former NY State Assemblyman Roberto Ramirez, former NY Secretary of State Lorraine Cortez-Vazquez, U.S. Congresswoman Rep. Nydia Velazquez, Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller, and many more.  

SIEMPRE, LUIS is directed by John James; written by Raul Santos, John James, Carlos Garcia de Dios, Luis Alvarez y Alvarez; produced by Katie Taber, John James, Carlos Garcia de Dios; executive produced by Michael Stolper; cinematography by Carlos García de Dios; edited by Luis Alvarez y Alvarez. Endeavor Content financed the documentary. For HBO: executive producers, Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller; senior producer, Sara Rodriguez.  

source: press release