It was not like the impromptu demonstrations that led to the  “Arab Spring” that eventually toppled corrupt governments in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. It was more like a “Winter Outburst -too cold to protest, but I will be there anyway.” That was the scene for the scores of Boricuas, and supporters that came out in the frigid cold to protest the insensitive remarks made on the WABC-TV new sitcom, “Work it,” that premiered yesterday.

The program is about an unemployed guy who gets a job in a pharmaceutical company dressed as a woman. He celebrates with his main friends, but can’t tell them about the specifics. One Latino friend also unemployed begs him to hook him up & says: “I’m Puerto Rican I can sell drugs.”

One similarity with the Arab Spring was that statement (in their case an action) that infuriated some Boricuas and thus created an impromptu reaction basically called by a few individuals, Lucky Rivera (who saw the show) and myself (did not see it). Lucky had called me in the morning to tell me about it. We both agreed to search and make inquiries to see if anything was being done and give me time to see the show for myself. We agreed to call each other in the early afternoon with our findings. After lunch and viewing the show (I rarely watch anything other than news and sports) we agreed that we had to do something.

We decided that we were not going to allow 2012 to begin with yet another insult against our community. Lucky has been addressing the insensitivity in the construction industry for years and I have been addressing the political and economic insensitivity for too long. So here we were two veterans of many community wars wishing that some action would take place against the insult. We both agreed that even if only a handful of folks, we should be in front of WABC-TV at 5:30pm and let them know that: “We are Puerto Rican professionals, construction workers, businessman, teachers, students, NOT DRUG DEALERS.

We called a few of our family and friends and decided to call our action Boricuas For A Positive Image. In another “Arab Spring” similarity we used our cell phones, text, and the Internet to invite folks to meet us at the WABC studios at 66^th St. & Lincoln Plaza.

Approximately forty people showed up thanks to Positive Work Force and the Internet. It was a very peaceful, but loud demonstration. We walked in an organized line and wrapped around the corner of 66^th Street facing the ABC News crew that were transmitting live. Many workers leaving the building were caught by surprise as they heard the chants: “I’m Puerto Rican – Not A Drug Dealer.” Among the many employees surprised by the action was Barbara Walters.

We also spoke to the ABC security personnel informing them of our intentions and gave them a press release to give to their employers. The police eventually arrived; we spoke to them, handed them a press release and explained why we were there. They allowed us to continue with our protest since they saw that we were very organized. We did not use any sound equipment and we stayed two feet from the windows of the recording studio. One of the police officers was a Latino and he understood our cause and worked with us. Thus we added, “We are Puerto Rican Police officers, we are not Drug Dealers,” to our list of chants.

Many of the passerby’s were sympathetic to our action as we also took the time to explain why we were there A La Occupy Wall Street by having everyone repeat our statements. Several people joined our protest and others gave us emails to keep them informed.

We ended the demonstration exactly at 6:30PM as agreed. We thanked everyone for giving one hour of their time in the frigid cold to let ABC-TV Network and the world know that our community will not stand idly when we are insulted. We informed WABC that we want an apology and a meeting to guarantee that this type of insensitive action will not repeat itself again. If we do not get a response we will return next Thursday same time from 5:30 to 6:30pm and we guaranteed that we will have many more people than the cold bearing pioneers of yesterday.

Related posts:

1. Puerto Rican Civil Rights Groups, Community Leaders and Mothers Call on NYS and NYC Government Candidates and Leaders to Address Puerto Rican Disparities
2. Stateside and Island Puerto Ricans: The View from a New York ‘Rican
3. A New Deal Between Stateside and Island Puerto Ricans: The View from a New York ‘Rican
4. A Puerto Rican Warrior Has Passed On.
5. Tato’s Take On The National Puerto Rican Day Parade