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People take part in the annual Gay Pride parade in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on June 3, 2018. (Ricardo Arduengo/AFP/Getty)
Puerto Rico governor Pedro Pierluisi declared a statement of emergency in the US territory Sunday (24 January) amid a spate of targeted killings against trans people as well as cis women.
Pierluisi, a member of the pro-statehood New Progressive Party sworn in earlier this month, announced the executive order that will provide sweeping protections against gender-based violence.
According to a news release from the governor’s office, the state of emergency will be in effect until 30 June, 2022.
“Gender violence is a social evil, based on ignorance and attitudes that cannot have space or tolerance in the Puerto Rico that we aspire to,” Pierluisi said in a statement.