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La Carpetas Are Back! (Sort Of)

By Robert.

February 18, 2012

Photo: El Blogiante - http://elblogiante.blogspot.com/

Earlier today El Nuevo Día published an article stating that, according to Municipal Resolution 102, Mayagüez approved funding to monitor any negative expressions about the Municipality of Mayagüez, its leadership, officials, and employees.

This is a throwback to cointelpro and Las Carpetas, which were a dark time in Puerto Rican and US history.  As the grandson of a woman who was carpeteada for failing to play along with the governor at the time (Rafael Hernandez Colón), I am offended.  And as a proponent of free speech I am deeply concerned about the long lasting ramifications of this, as well as the risk of a precedent  being set.  While I do understand (though do not agree with) the idea behind curtailing inaccurate statements, the fact remains that it is still free speech.  You are attempting to restrict what can at bare minimum be used as a tool to know who is a liar and who is not (the other added benefit of free speech).  Let your truth be louder than their lies.

However rather than do that, you have either given up on the truth, or perhaps found something to be true that you don’t want to be known (what it may be, I don’t know).  As an elected official, you should strive to be a proponent of democracy and free speech.  Rather, you have borrowed dictatorial strategy and have decided to keep files and monitor communications.  By approving this measure you, and those in the municipal legislature who voted for it, have shown to me that you do NOT believe in free speech.  Your true colors have been shown, and they are undemocratic and repressive.

Mr. Mayor, I do most of my major shopping in Mayagüez, and spend at least 2 nights each week socializing in Mayagüez.  The IVU revenues your city would have generated from me will now be going to other cities.  One person may not be lot, but there are others who think like me.

I guess I only have one last thing to say: carpetéame.  Te invito.  Because your agenda can’t silence my freedom of speech.

Related posts:

  1. Las Carpetas: 23 Años Despues Y El Temor Sigue
  2. Respuesta a Las Carpetas 23 Años Después: En La Era Digital, El Temor Sigue
  3. On the Road (To Ponce and Back Again)
  4. Come Back President Obama!
  5. From Hostage in Narnia and Back to Reality: How I Came Out
  • Kofla Olivieri

    As a Mayaguezano, I am still in disbelief that people voted in favor of this fascist measure.  Do these folks ever heard of the first amendment to the constitution?  I am so upset that I cannot put my thoughts into words about this charade in my own blog without offending someone.

  • Barbara Melissa Sabat

    Anyone with a little time to go to Court over this would win. Federal and PR case law are very clear about the fact that government employees have freedom of speech!