Christopher Rabb, Democratic candidate for Congress in Pennsylvania's 3rd district (Philadelphia), voiced support for Puerto Rico's independence in a video released Wednesday, timed to the 158th anniversary of the Grito de Lares. The video was published by Phillyboricuas, led by Puerto Rican Adrián Rivera Reyes. Rabb, a former state representative, said Puerto Rico "has the right to be a free, independent and sovereign nation" and that Puerto Ricans have the right to determine their own future.
He called the current political relationship between Puerto Rico and the US "aggressively antidemocratic," noting islanders cannot vote for US president or have full congressional representation. He also backed cancellation of what he called Puerto Rico's "unjust and unsustainable" debt, saying the island needs economic freedom to invest in its people and future. Rabb is favored to win the seat, running against independent candidate Dennis Mahoney in a Democratic district; the seat is currently held by Democratic Congressman Dwight Evans, who is retiring in December.
Rabb noted more than 140,000 Puerto Ricans live in Philadelphia, having emigrated due to economic crisis and lack of resources and housing, and said they have faced discrimination, displacement, police abuse and prejudice there.