As Donald Trump tweeted about the NFL the entire g–damn weekend, Puerto Rico’s situation became more and more dire. Puerto Rico is an American territory and Puerto Ricans are American citizens. I just thought I’d remind everyone of that, because *some* people are like “Puerto Rico is another country, we need to focus on ‘Murica!” Puerto Rico is ‘Murica. And the situation in Puerto Rico has become Trump’s Katrina, if that language doesn’t seem too hyperbolic. I actually think Trump has had, like, 20 “Katrinas” so far, because he’s bungled the sh-t out of every crisis he’s faced.
To read about the dire situation in Puerto Rico, please read the following stories: WaPo’s “‘If anyone can hear us … help.’ Puerto Rico’s mayors describe widespread devastation from Hurricane Maria,” Slate’s “Devastation From Hurricane Maria Set Puerto Rico Back ‘Nearly 20 to 30 Years’” and Time’s “’Zero Communication.’ Puerto Ricans Are Hunting for Wi-Fi and Cell Signal to Contact Loved Ones.” People are dying days after Maria devastated the island because of lack of electricity, flooding, lack of support and American government ambivalence.
There are many Puerto Rican entertainers and they have a voice. Whatever you think of Jennifer Lopez, she’s always been proud of her Puerto Rican heritage and she’s always been a vocal advocate for Puerto Rico’s needs. She’s used her social media to bring attention to the unfolding crisis, and she’s just announced some new moves:
Jennifer Lopez is donating $1 million to hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico just days after revealing that she hasn’t heard from family members who live there. The Shades of Blue actress, 48, spoke during a press conference at the Jacob Javitz Center in NYC with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Sunday, September 24, and offered her support to the island that was devastated by Hurricane Maria. “Alex Rodriguez and I are utilizing all of our resources and relationships in entertainment, sports, and business to garner support,” she said, referring to her boyfriend, whose family comes from the Dominican Republic.
Bronx-born Lopez, whose parents are Puerto Rican, also posted an emotional video on Instagram on Friday, September 22, in which she encouraged followers to help. “What’s foremost in my mind and many others, is trying to figure out the best way to help. Our island of Puerto Rico has been hit by the two most devastating hurricanes we’ve ever seen, Irma and Maria. Today, Puerto Rico needs our help. I urge you to support and donate to the efforts of the first lady of Puerto Rico, Beatriz Rosselló. Together we can help rebuild our island and the Caribbean. To donate, go to www.UnitedForPuertoRico.com.”
Governor Cuomo thanked Lopez on Twitter, saying, “”#PuertoRico needs our help. Thank you @JLo for joining us today.” Cuomo has launched a statewide collection and contribution effort, saying, “NY.Gov … will have collection points all across the state.” The donations will be flown to Puerto Rico by Jet Blue, which is donating $1 million in services.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all if J.Lo organized a massive concert to bring funds to Puerto Rico in the days to come. I bet Lin-Manuel Miranda will be on board. Marc Anthony’s already on board, as is Ricky Martin. This is a moment for allies to stand up too – it shouldn’t just be about Hispanic entertainers right now. Just keep repeating this: Puerto Rico is America. Puerto Rico is America. Puerto Rico is America.
Photos courtesy of WENN, videos courtesy of Instagram.
Good for her!
I like the blue dress. Age-appropriate and super sexy at the same time.
Me too. She looks fab
yes! she has never looked better. if one good thing comes out of this arod relationship – it is them working together on this cause.
This makes me happy. My best friend and her immediate family immigrated from PR. Seeing the footage she’s been sharing breaks my heart. They need help.
Since U Bum won’t lift a finger, I’m glad to see J.Lo picking up the slack. Poor Puerto Rico must feel utterly abandoned by its own country…
+10000. Good on you Jennifer!
Yup!
From now on I’m referring to Trump as U Bum. Love it!
Trump’s silence on Puerto Rico and the USVI is stunning. The islands are decimated. It will take billions of dollars for them to recover. Where is his push for an emergency funding package in Congress? Where is his call for Americans to step up and donate? There are so many reasons to detest Trump, but leaving Americans to fend for themselves after an unthinkable disaster is high on my list.
He’s too busy ranting about the NFL. Number of tweets about the NFL on 9/24: 3. Number of tweets on 9/24 about the situation in Puerto Rico: 0.
That should give you some idea of what his priorities are.
I have friends and in-laws in Puerto Rico and the photographs and videos I have seen from every section of the island are devastating.
Kudos to JLo. I hope they organize a massive concert like Live Aid back in 1985.
Oh, and don’t expect the orange hobgoblin to do anything. He probably can’t find Puerto Rico on a map.
it is disgusting that a President and his government are abandoning part of the country, especially considering how much effort – rightly so – was made for TX and FL. But where is the compassion now?
Second class citizens indeed.
According to the P.R. newspaper El Vocero, FEMA just authorized a disbursement of $2.1 million for food, water, generators, etc. That’s about 66 cents for every person on the island.
JFC.
And especially disturbing considering they are an ISLAND and it’s even harder to get supplies and personnel there to help.
God bless her! I wish I was a millionaire so I could donate that kind of money. They really need it guys. They’re without power for at least 6 months and it literally looks like post apocalypse in San Juan. My heart broke when I saw the video and donated $100 between two different charities. I know there’s a lot of hesitation and question with the Red Cross, but I assure you from personal experience they are great. Anything helps and it will make you feel good inside to help.
Puertorriqueños can’t even vote in the US Presidential election, they are indeed treated like second class citizens. 2 million for this kind of tragedy seems like a cruel joke. I’m glad these latino celebreties are doing something because i don’t think a government lead by a racist clown like Trump will do much to help them.
I think the voting thing is so unfair. I think the citizens there have voted several times in favor of statehood, which I assume would give them federal voting rights and a lot of other things (like help when a hurricane destroys it all?) but it has never happened.
The national news media is failing in its job to report on what’s happening to U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It’s criminal that the U.S. government has turned its back on its citizens.
Please consider spreading the word about the following organizations trying to help:
Tim Duncan’s 21 US Virgin Island Relief Fund
https://www.youcaring.com/21usvirginislandrelieffund-942738
Kenny Chesney’s VI effort:
https://kennychesney.com/news/448917/hurricaneirmamessage
Trump doesn’t care a about latinos,further proof is right here with the Puerto Rico situation.
More links to help. Can we get this back on page 1 for increased visibility?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/puerto-rica-hurricane-irma-maria_us_59c7f699e4b06ddf45f89c7a
I’m shocked by the lack of attention on this post. I know we all love gossip, but this matters. It has 26 comments. Come on you guys. If we give these celebrities major attention for these amazing donations, maybe it will encourage further donations. This is a much bigger deal than Giselles new face.
Its infuriating these days to read about Trumps bullshit when i have family in PR & i still no idea re their whereabouts in all of this. Bc to him PR is Mexico, who is equally suffering but what does he care, he wants walls. Bastard
I’m sorry. I hope you hear from them soon.
What town do they live in? My in-laws live in Loíza and it took us three days to get news of them. The roads were blocked and all the cell towers were down. And Loìza is on the coast. In the interior it’s much, much worse.
Good job, J-Lo.
Honking for PR– cause this needs to stay on the front page!
Honked