Puerto Rican union leaders instituted a 'Camp of Dignity and Shame' today in front of La Fortalez, the official estate of the Governor of Puerto Rico. "This is Camp Dignity and we will not move from here," said Robert Pagán, president of SEIU Local 1996SPT , who is one of four union leaders who chained themselves to the gates of Governor Luis Fortuño's home in an act of civil disobedience to stand up against the announcement from the government dismissing thousands of public sector employees.

The lay-off announcement came this past Friday from the chairman of the Reorganization and Fiscal Stabilization Board, Carlos García, a decision which he himself said will raise Puerto Rico's unemployment rate to 17 percent and further increase the economic crisis. A total of 16,970 public employees will be laid off, with the Education Department hit the hardest with over 7,000 layoffs. SEIU Local 1996SPT represents most (over 6,000 workers) who are part of laid-off Education workers.

With this symbolic gesture, the union members of SPT & UGT are making a (peaceful) but powerful appeal to the public to show their support for the workers by gathering with them in front of La Fortaleza. They are also demanding that Gov. Fortuño engage them in dialogue from where they have determinedly gathered outside his home, which is also in front of the Governors' office. There will be no substitutes for the people who are chained to the Governor's gates--not even to go to the bathroom. "Es el momento de lucha en la calle, de transformar la indignación que todo el pueblo está sintiendo en acción," said Pagán. ["It's time to fight in the street, to transform the indignation that all people are feeling inaction."]

The peaceful act of civil disobedience and upcoming October 15th general strike is supported by virtually all of organized labor in Puerto Rico including SPT and UGT, as well as a broad coalition of religious and civic groups. "Esta es sólo una primera actividad de decenas de desobediencia civil que irán dirigidas al gobernador Fortuño, a los legisladores y al sector económico que apoya al Gobernador en esta política malsana", said SPT president Robert Pagán. ["This is only a first of tens of civil disobedience actions that will target governor Fortuño, legislators and the industry sector that supports the Governor in this unhealthy policy."]

More updates on this demonstration to come shortly--stay tuned.