Model Joan Smalls on the power of the protests in Puerto Rico

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30th Jul 2019

Puerto Rico is in the midst of a major political upheaval. Hundreds of thousands have taken part in mass demonstrations on the Caribbean island over the past two weeks, forcing the resignation of governor Ricardo Rosselló on Wednesday 24 July. The protests were sparked by a series of leaked messages – including homophobic and misogynistic slurs, and texts mocking Hurricane Maria victims – sent between the Puerto Rican leader and members of his inner circle. 

The demonstrations followed growing tensions in Puerto Rico, which has been in a severe debt crisis since 2015. In 2017, Hurricane Maria devastated the country, killing more than 3,000 people. The government were called out for their inadequate response, leaving residents without power for up to 11 months, and reportedly mismanaging aid sent in the immediate aftermath. Last month’s corruption scandal saw ex-officials accused of steering $15.5 million in federal funding away from those in need between 2017 and 2019. 

Supermodel Joan Smalls – who grew up in Puerto Rico, but is now based in New York – sees Rosselló’s resignation as a turning point for her home nation. “People were like ‘enough is enough’,” she tells . “It was a moment nobody expected was going to happen.” 

Following the recent turn of events, Smalls explains, in her own words, why the uprising is so significant and why she’s hopeful for the future of Puerto Rico: 

“It was amazing to see everyone come together with a common goal. The protests have shown we’re willing to speak up; our voices are going to be heard. My mum was saying that never in her lifetime has she witnessed something so strong and so powerful in Puerto Rico. People were expressing themselves in any way possible. I saw the electricity went out in some parts of Puerto Rico, and people started banging their pans; it echoed through [the capital] San Juan. I thought, ‘this gives me chills’. 

Joan Smalls addresses the political uprising taking place in Puerto Rico. Image credit: Getty Images

“I’ve always said that, even through the different hardships, the Puerto Rican spirit is very resilient. No matter what happens, there’s always a sense of pride we have as a community that is very strong. Wherever you go in the world, you meet a Puerto Rican and you have this sense of [connection]. 

“I wasn’t able to join the protests unfortunately, but I was there in spirit and was keeping up to date with everything. I posted as much as I could about it [on social media]; I felt I had a moral obligation to speak about it. Puerto Rico is my home; my parents still live there. My platform is my chance to have my voice heard, and let the people of Puerto Rico know that I am with them, and feel their pain. Their voices can be heard as an extension of my platform. 

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“When we see something wrong, we should speak out; we shouldn’t be silent. The people of Puerto Rico were fed up with all this corruption. I think Hurricane Maria put everything into perspective; I don’t think Puerto Rico has been so devastated by a natural disaster before. 

“Change can happen; the protests weren’t in vain. They sent a message to whoever comes into power next: ‘You have a responsibility to uphold; you are for the people, not the other way around.’ [The demonstration showed] we’re stronger in numbers. There are so many people that are committed to a better Puerto Rico.”