Ponce Massacre

The Ponce Massacre occurred on March 21, 1937, in Ponce, Puerto Rico, when police opened fire on a peaceful march demanding Puerto Rican independence. Thousands of protesters gathered to oppose U.S. government restrictions, but officials, fearing unrest, ordered police to disperse them. During the clash, police fired into the crowd, killing several civilians and injuring many more. The event highlighted tensions over Puerto Rico’s political status and prompted national outrage. Official reports claimed the police acted in self-defense, but later investigations confirmed excessive use of force and suppressed civil rights, making it a significant moment in Puerto Rican history advocating for justice and independence.