Protests erupt at NYC museum opening over ties to Puerto Rican debt
- 5 years ago
Protesters again demonstrated outside of the Museum of Modern Art in midtown Manhattan on Monday morning (October 21), this time protesting Steve Tanenbaum, a member of the board, and his ties to the Puerto Rico debt crisis.
Just under a dozen protesters were arrested after blocking 53rd Street, including Melissa Mark-Viverito, Democratic politician from Puerto Rico and former speaker of the New York City Council. They tried to enter the museum but were unsuccessful.
“While this board member has poured money into the arts, his hedge fund has invested heavily in a variety of Puerto Rican bonds, including bonds from Cofina, the government-owned corporation that issues Puerto Rican bonds to pay and refinance the public debt,” the organizers said in a statement.
Just under a dozen protesters were arrested after blocking 53rd Street, including Melissa Mark-Viverito, Democratic politician from Puerto Rico and former speaker of the New York City Council. They tried to enter the museum but were unsuccessful.
“While this board member has poured money into the arts, his hedge fund has invested heavily in a variety of Puerto Rican bonds, including bonds from Cofina, the government-owned corporation that issues Puerto Rican bonds to pay and refinance the public debt,” the organizers said in a statement.