Puerto Rico Equality and Statehood Summit flyer with the flag of Puerto Rico and United States Capitol dome. Image credit: Composite image by Pasquines
The government of Puerto Rico recently announced the Second Equality and Statehood Summit, scheduled to take place from March 3 to March 5, 2026, in Washington, DC.
Governor Jenniffer González-Colón (NPP, R) and Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration executive director Gabriella Boffelli made the announcement on January 7 from La Fortaleza. The summit is being held pursuant to Executive Order OE-2025-007, signed at the start of González-Colón’s administration, which establishes statehood advocacy as public policy across all government agencies.
The executive order cites plebiscites held in 2012, 2017, 2020, and 2024, in which a majority of voters supported statehood, as the basis for the policy.
“This summit reaffirms our firm and unwavering commitment to full equality for American citizens living in Puerto Rico,” González Colón said in a statement. “Statehood is not an abstract aspiration; it is a clear democratic mandate from the people and a public policy priority of my administration.”
The Equality and Statehood Summit is described by the administration as the central statehood advocacy event organized by the government of Puerto Rico in the federal capital. It is expected to bring together elected officials, federal officials, public policy experts, volunteers, and representatives from multiple sectors to engage in coordinated advocacy efforts.
Boffelli said PRFAA will continue executing the governor’s strategy in Washington through coordinated action. “This summit is a key platform to educate, organize, and mobilize efforts in favor of equality and statehood, directly where the most important decisions are made,” she said.
The first Equality and Statehood Summit was held in March 2025 and included more than 200 volunteers and leaders. Participants received orientation and training and took part in advocacy meetings with federal officials and members of Congress.
Registration for the second summit is now open for individuals interested in participating and receiving logistical and programmatic information.
The governor and PRFAA encouraged residents committed to equality and Puerto Rico’s political future to take part in the summit in Washington.
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END Puerto Rico’s Federal Undemocratic Territorial Status!
–Support: EQUAL CIVIL RIGHTS-DEMOCRACY for all “We the People”!–
(Patriots-Veterans for Equal Rights-USA Researched Summary)
Since 1898 (for over 126+ years)–the US Territory of Puerto Rico (PR)-(with more US Citizens-US Veterans than 21 States) is under Federal undemocratic control (with NO “consent of the Governed”)-as the US Constitution is NOT fully applied! Thus, the US Federal Government must act to ensure Equal Rights; revoke unjust/biased Laws; END PR’s unfair Territorial Status!
“The Federal Government should be the Servant of ALL “We the People”; NOT the Master of some!”
Key Facts: millions of US Citizens-Veterans in PR-don’t have full Civil Rights: NO Vote for US President; NO just Representation in US Congress; NO Parity in Federal Laws, Programs, or Funding…that other US Citizens fully get; NO permanent “statutory” US Citizenship (even if moving to a State)…; are under unfair Congressional plenary power! Plus, the Federal Government autocratically controls PR’s: Borders, Currency, Laws, Security, Economy, Trade, etc.
• Per UNFAIR Territorial Clause (of 1787); unjust racist Insular Cases (of 1901-1925+); other biased Laws that discriminate & treat PR differently than other US Citizens/Veterans in the States, which goes against our core US Democratic principles!
The biased Territorial Status (without just Federal representation)–adversely affects everything—Economy/Jobs, Education, Health, Infrastructure, Social Programs…; brings instability; ties PR’s Hands to fairly compete-grow the Economy; limits progress; fuels an Exodus to the States…; is UN-AMERICAN!
“US Citizens/Veterans should come first; not Federal institutional discrimination!”
In our US Republic, the power should reside with all “We the People” (made up by Individuals)–per our Declaration of Independence that calls for “Consent of the Governed”; noble US Constitution that calls for Equal Rights-Fairness, and a Republican form of Government or a Representative Democracy! Fight for Right-END PR’s Federal undemocratic Status!
“NO Federal VOTE or just Representation = NO Democracy or a Tyranny of a Majority!”
Our Federal Government can end this unjust inequity now; amend/revoke unfair Laws that limit progress. But instead, some politically distort; spin; misinform; stereotype; provide meritless EXCUSES that blame the Victim; create double standards not applied to Other US Citizens! This results in confusion & stalemate–that perpetuates Federal subjugation!
You can’t have both ways (either support Equal Rights or Federal Domination)!
Puerto Ricans have loyally sacrificed, defended, & greatly contributed to the development of our noble USA; cherish their US Citizenship; have locally voted to END the unjust Territorial Status in 2012, 2017, 2020, & 2024 as Majority is FOR–
“PR Equality & Progress with STATEHOOD!”
But, the Federal Government continues to provide biased excuses; doesn’t act to end Federal undemocratic control!
“Support EQUAL CIVIL RIGHTS; our REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY!”
FIX: Take Civic Patriotic Action/Petition our Federal Government to Act–ensure Equal Civil Rights/a Democracy for all “WE THE PEOPLE”; END Federal suppression (since 1898) of US Citizens-Veterans in the US Territory of PR; admit PR as a State or do a Plebiscite on defined Non-Territorial Options which only are: “STATEHOOD” vs “INDEPENDENCE” (or “Independence with Free Association Pact”). No retreat; no surrender to injustice! Fight for a just cause!
“We are Stronger with a Union of States!” (“En la UNIÓN está la Fuerza!”)
Our US is a diverse, but UNITED, Union of Sovereign States-with STATE: Identity, Constitution, Flag, & Sovereignty-where each State complements each other; is stronger than by it-self…; brings more Progress for the Good of All!
+Only STATEHOOD guarantees a permanent US Citizenship as “statutory” US Citizens (even if residing in a State)—likely don’t have a permanent US Citizenship as its source-is the unfair “Territorial Clause” that allows the 1917 Jones Act (that can be revoked); racist “Insular Cases”… (+See Key Notes.)
“Puerto Ricans Sacrifice & Contribute to our diverse, but United-USA, since 1513!”
US Puerto Ricans (PR) are about 9+Million strong–are the 2d largest US Hispanic Ethnic Group (over 6 M-live in the States)—as they are integrated; loyally contribute (in all fields of endeavor) to our diverse, but, UNITED USA! Hispanic-PR Ancestors (1st Governor of PR) came from PR to Florida (in 1513)-107 years before the Pilgrims; brought Christianity, and other good things; help pioneer & develop our now USA; Others, bravely supported/fought in the US War of Independence…
+ PR, since 1898- patriotically sacrifice; shed sweat, blood, & tears for our US Flag (WWI; WW-II; Cold War, Korea; Vietnam; Global War on Terrorism…until today); serves as a Strategic Defense Outpost-protecting the South-East approach to our USA–counter-acting, in the Caribbean and Worldwide, threats to our National Security…
+ Today- PR has restructured its debt as its economy grows; has a balanced Budget; serves as a Commercial, Security, & Diplomatic Bridge to Hispanic/Latin America; pays more Federal Taxes than 6 States; has a better GDP than 14 States; is a US captive Market that creates about a million US Jobs; has the best Income per Capita than 32 Latin American Nations. PR helps grow our economy & protect our noble “UNION”—the best in the annuals of History!
“Silence to Federal suppression; supports injustice!”
PR-US Citizens-Veterans are being treated unjustly by their Federal Government! In our US Republic-the power should reside with-“a Government of the People, by the People, and for the People” (Lincoln)! Take Civic Action/ contact our Federal Government- to ensure Equal Rights for All “We the People”; END-PR’s Federal undemocratic Territorial Status, now!