Nydia M. Velazquez: “I want to make a clarification. It is important for Puerto Ricans in the mainland to participate, because, in fact…”

“I want to make a clarification. It is important for Puerto Ricans in the mainland to participate, because, in fact, Puerto Ricans in the United States, they go back and forth to Puerto Rico. But there are many Puerto Ricans here who have suffered political persecution in Puerto Rico, and they are in the United States because of the political environment in Puerto Rico. In fact, when I was a professor at the University of Puerto Rico, I was politically persecuted. I decided to leave the island. I should have the right. This is not any State election. This is a unique and special election on the future and the political destiny of Puerto Rico. Of course I should have the right to have a say in that determination.”