Puerto Rican families living in Jacksonville: 'The fight is not over​'

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Puerto Rican families living in Jacksonville say the fight isn’t over on their beloved island.

They celebrated the resignation of Gov. Ricardo Rosselló on Saturday at Friendship Fountain.

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One of the women Action News Jax reporter Brittney Donovan met had to leave Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. She saw firsthand the suffering her people had to endure.

“The situation with the government, seeing and knowing it was happening behind the scenes but you couldn’t prove it, was very frustrating,” Lucy Martinez said.

Related: Puerto Ricans living in Jacksonville say they’re relieved by governor’s resignation

Related: Puerto Ricans in Jacksonville planning Saturday rally to celebrate governor’s ousting

Martinez’s son still lives near San Juan. Her family sent her photos from the protests.

“It touches me so deeply because I just left so little time ago. All my life has been there. I would’ve loved to be there and see the result,” she said.

Waving flags and holding signs, she and other Puerto Rican families in Jacksonville celebrated the new beginning for the island – but it comes with uncertainty.

"The fight is not over,“ Maria Garcia said. "We’re sending the message loud and clear. If you don’t have the best interest of the everyday Puerto Rican in mind, you are not going to lead us."

Despite the uncertainty, Martinez said the people of Puerto Rico made it clear.

“If you get together, you can achieve things for the good of the whole country,” she said.

The families said the world now knows Puerto Ricans will stand up for their people and demand change.

“We were known all over the world for the disaster of the hurricane,” Loli Montalvo said. “This time, we’re known for something very positive that came out of the hearts and souls of the people.”

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Cox Media Group