Minnesotans rally with Puerto Ricans in St. Paul to call for Gov. Rossello's resignation

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Tens of thousands of people took the streets of Puerto Rico and St. Paul Monday to call upon Gov. Ricardo Rossello to resign.

For several months, there have been concerns of corruption among officials, but it was the recent leak of nearly 900 messages that became the catalyst for this response.

The messages from Gov. Rossello and some of his closest staff were filled with misogynistic and homophobic language. He mocked hurricane victims and called political leaders inappropriate names.

Despite the protests, Gov. Rossello says he is not resigning, though he did say he would not seek reelection.

“I used words that I, that I, you know, I have apologize for, but, I’ve also taken significant actions in, in, in the direction of helping, uh, you know, vulnerable sectors in our, in our population, and for us to have equal rights and equality,” Rossello said.

Monday was the 10th consecutive day of protests and demonstrators say there will more later in the week.

In Minnesota, some peaceful demonstrations joined those across the country.

About 250 people joined a rally in downtown St. Paul at a demonstration that lasted about three hours in Rice Park.

It was organized by the group “Puerto Ricans in Minnesota.”

All of the organizers say the people of Puerto Rico deserve better and Gov. Rossello should resign immediately.

Sen. Melisa Franklin, of Edina and Rep. Carlos Mariani, of St. Paul, also joined the Minnesota rally Monday.

“I am in a position to apologize to everybody to make an effort for reconciliation,” the Governor said. “And now devoid and disconnected of the political whims.”

“Ricky [resign], it’s your time,” said protester Ana Serrano. “You have done what you have done and there’s nothing else to do there.”

Serrano is in Minnesota with her husband Ivan Ortiz visiting their daughter Monica who calls Minnesota home. They both say, while they couldn’t be at the demonstrations in Puerto Rico, it feels good to know their voices will be heard even all the way from the Twin Cities.