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When Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, it resulted in thousands of deaths and knocked out power for nearly a year. Further, the devastation worsened a debt crisis that's crippled public services for years. So residents of already-abandoned communities were not surprised when the official response was often nowhere to be seen. In the midst of the austerity and chaos, a quiet revolution had begun on the island. An impromptu community kitchen in one town grew into an island-wide network of mutual aid centers with the aim of restoring power -- both electric and civic -- to the people.
Featuring:
Judith Rodriguez - organizer, Caguas mutual aid center; Giovanni Roberto - organizer, Caguas mutual aid center; Astrid Cruz Negron - teacher and activist, Utuado mutual aid center; Ramonita Bonilla - resident of La Marias; Jose Bella Flores - co-founder, Las Marias mutual aid center; Omar Reyes - co-founder Las Marias mutual aid center; Christine Nieves - co-founder, Mariana mutual aid center
- KBOO