Harris voices support for Puerto Rico protesters: ‘I stand with them’

White House hopeful Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) voiced support for protesters in Puerto Rico demonstrating against Gov. Ricardo Rosselló (D). 

“The only path to justice for the people of Puerto Rico is to speak truth against divisive and corrupt leaders. I stand with them as they protest and demand accountability,” Harris tweeted. 

The only path to justice for the people of Puerto Rico is to speak truth against divisive and corrupt leaders. I stand with them as they protest and demand accountability.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 20, 2019

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), another presidential contender, also came out in support of the demonstrations, saying Rosselló should resign over a corruption scandal and leaked text messages containing offensive language.

{mosads}“I stand with the hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans who’ve taken to the streets calling for @RicardoRossello to resign. It’s clear their confidence in his ability to govern has eroded and they’re right to demand the new leadership they deserve,” Booker tweeted. 

I stand with the hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans who’ve taken to the streets calling for @RicardoRossello to resign. It’s clear their confidence in his ability to govern has eroded and they’re right to demand the new leadership they deserve.

— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) July 20, 2019

Rosselló was first hit with controversy this month when the FBI arrested two former administration members over claims they ushered more than $15 million in government contracts to favored businesses.

Rosselló was also broadsided when the Puerto Rican Center for Investigative Journalism released a bevy of texts between Rosselló and his closest allies, including at least two Cabinet members, hurling misogynistic and homophobic slurs at journalists and political rivals.

The governor has so far resisted calls to resign. 

Several 2020 candidates have already voiced support for the protesters. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) arrived in the territory Friday, while former Vice President Joe Biden, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro all endorsed the demonstrations.