At dawn on Tuesday, SEIU Local 1996SPT President Robert Pagán joined three other union members--Department of Education employees Elsie Santana (a typist for the Carolina school district), Janet Estrada (administrative assistant from Caguas) and Hector Rosario (an Aguas Buenas school janitor)--in chaining themselves to the posts on the sidewalks of Fortaleza Street, blocking the main entrance to the Governor's estate, a powder-blue mansion where Puerto Rico's governors have ruled since the 17th century.

To add to the symbolism of the event, SPT-SEIU members also erected a tent they designated "Camp of Dignity and Shame" outside La Fortalez to protest the anti-worker measure suspending public sector collective bargaining rights and lay-offs order issued by the Fortuño Administration."We have sent a message to thousands of our jobless brothers and sisters that this is not the time to be sad or depressed; that the better psychological therapy at this moment is to convert our indignation into action and mobilize to stop this abuse," said Robert Pagán.

The message resonated loud and clear with the working people of Puerto Rico. Supporters--labor, religious and civic leaders, workers and students-- responded to the union's appeal to join the demonstration, filling in the section of Calle Fortaleza outside Gov. Fortuño's estate and office to protest the dismissal of the thousands of education, transportation and economic development administration workers.

In spite of the peaceful nature of the protest and lack of provocation, around noon uniformed SWAT team members who'd been waiting outside the Gov's mansion gates suddenly sprung into action and began to bodily remove protesters from Calle Fortaleza. As they cleared out the area using brute force, a great deal of pushing and shoving ensued--resulting in the injuring of a substantial number group of people who were there supporting the demonstrators, including at least one reporter. Agents from the tactical operations unit took down the tent ("Camp Dignity") and cut the chains attached to Pagán and the three other union leaders, dragging them to a nearby intersection.

It's unclear what justification Governor Luis Fortuño based his decision to issue the call to SWAT team members & police officers to disrupt and dismember the peaceful act of civil disobedience. Even more puzzlingly, Assistant Superintendent of Field Operations Leovigildo Vázquez said this just before the protesters were violently removed from Calle Fortaleza by law enforcement officials:

"So far there have been no complaints and legitimate activities have not been affected. We are talking and observing on-site to determine next steps."

This kind of government response and the use of "fuerza de choque" by police on protesters is disturbing and worrisome, to say the least. Methodist bishop and spokesman for the All Puerto Rico for Puerto Rico Coalition, Juan Vera, denounced the violence with which police responded to the demonstration, saying "Enough is enough. [We've had] enough aggression." Vera warned union members would continue the civil disobedience actions to protest the massive layoffs of public employees.

To see for yourself what unfurled as police broke up the peaceful demonstration, watch video footage of the protest here:

Read more on the SEIU Blog, and check out coverage in Primera Hora, and El Nuevo Dia. You can also show support for the Puerto Rican union members of SPT-SEIU by joining their Facebook group here.