The Puerto Rican Independence Party (Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño (PIP) in Spanish) is a Puerto Rican political party that campaigns for the independence of Puerto Rico from the United States.
Those who follow the PIP ideology are called independentistas (usally called pro-independence activists by English speaking media) or pipiolos.
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2 Party logo 3 Controversies 4 Important party leaders 5 See also 6 External links 7 References |
History
Historically, the PIP has done poorly in Puerto Rican elections, always losing to either the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) or the New Progressive Party (PNP).
Foundation
The party was founded in 1946 by Gilberto Concepción de Gracia (deceased in 1968). [1]
1970s
In 1971, the newly elected PIP president, Rubén Berríos, then 31, led a protest against the U.S. Navy in Culebra. At that time, he was found guilty of tresspassing federal lands and incarcerated for three months (see also: Navy-Culebra protests).
1990s
In 1999, PIP leaders, especially Ruben Berrios, became involved in the Navy-Vieques protests started by many citizens of Vieques against the presence of the U.S. military in the island-municipality (see also: Cause of Vieques).
See also: Maravilla Hill case.
Party logo
The PIP's symbol is a green flag with a white cross; because of this, it is identified as the green party, both with the voting public and in the election ballots. To the party, the green color signifies hope of becoming free, and the white cross, the sacrifice and commitment of the party with democracy.Controversies
Many among the general public have associated the party with violent acts of terrorism such as those committed by Los Macheteros. However, the party has never acknowleged links to any attacks, insisting that they want independence through peaceful means, and no proof has ever been found to corroborate these allegations.Important party leaders
See also
External links
References
