DOCU SERIES
“TEMBLORES,” CAPTURES THE STORIES OF PEOPLE LIVING THROUGH – AND RESPONDING TO – THE ONGOING EARTHQUAKES IN THE SOUTHERN REGION OF PUERTO RICO.
Owning our narratives is important. Recent earthquakes have devastated Puerto Rico since the start of 2020. Past experiences have taught us that media visibility and framing plays a significant role in not just activating the masses to support grassroots efforts in times of “crisis”, but also in creating a space that promotes debate and perspective shifting. In our efforts to tell stories that cultivate this, in these times, Defend Puerto Rico is documenting and amplifying a people's response from the lived experiences of individuals.
PART 1: GROWING UP
Let’s talk about the children. Recent earthquakes have taken a toll on the emotional and psychological well-being of thousands of people living in Puerto Rico. Children, especially, have found themselves overwhelmed with feelings of fear, sadness and anxiety. Many of them are trying to process witnessing the collapsing of homes, and schools in their communities, while also having to say goodbye to friends, teachers, and family members forced to leave the islands’ to escape their current situation.
Luiledy, “Lulu”, lives in Peñuelas, Puerto Rico. She hasn’t been to school or seen her friends since the January 7th 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit. A few yards from her home, community camp is in full operation. Neighbors and family members made their way there to seek refuge.
Lulu spends her days playing with the kids in the camp, often looking for a distraction. Community organizers recently began incorporating workshops and activities for the kids to help soothe their anxiety. But for Lulu, and the thousands of young people who are living through – and having to “grow up” – with uncertainty, amidst crisis.
PART 2: WE HAVE EACH OTHER
Activist and teacher, Yanina Moreno, lives in Peñuelas, a municipality in the southern region of the islands, and has been organizing efforts to tend to the immediate needs of her neighbors and community.
It’s been more than a month since the January 7th 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit the islands — there have been close to 3,000 tremors since the start of 2020.
PART 3: PROTECT OUR SCHOOLS
Salinas, Puerto Rico. Part 3 of the TEMBLORES series centers the voice of Maridalys Nieves-Rivera, one of a dozen parents who blocked school personnel and children from entering the Escuela Antonio Ledee Colon – in protest. From January 28th until February 24th, the group of parents kept the gates locked and demanded that the Department of Education (DOE) release reports of inspections made by the engineers who evaluated and rated the structure, giving it a “green-light” and scheduling its reopening despite visible damages to exterior and interior parts of the building.
UPDATE* After a few weeks of manifestations and meetings with legislators, the DOE felt the pressure and a 2nd inspection of the structure was carried out, only this time, the parents were present. 10 recommendations were made and repairs were underway before #coronavirus forced school closures.