Puerto Rico's struggle for self-determination  depends on young people getting involved in the movement, a Chicago high school teacher believes.

Matthew Rodriguez, a teacher at Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School in Humbolt Park, said he was gratified to see many young Latinos at a Chicago rally last week in support of three Puerto Ricans who have been subpoenaed by a New York federal grand jury. There is speculation that the three were called because they advocate independence for the U.S. commonwealth.

Often those present at such rallies are older, Rodriguez said. The presence of young people means they are also likely to show an interest  in issues that will impact their lives.

Many of the youths at the rally are members of Batey Urbano, a place where Puerto Rican youth "can think critically about what's happening in the world," said Rodriguez. The center features poetry, hip-hop and movies as a means of cultural and political exprression.

Almost 50 people attended the rally in the Federal Plaza, most of them youths.  They carried such signs as "Stop FBI Harassment of the Puerto Rican Community" and "Activism is Not Terrorism."

Also present were Mexican students from the youth group Zócalo Urbano which works in connection with Centro Sin Fronteras, a Mexican-based non-profit organization in Chicago.

Joline Lozano, a junior at Lane Technical High School and member of Zócalo came to the protest to show solidarity with the Puerto Rican community. “There are injustices going on and these are my brothers and sisters so I came out to support them.”