No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveEpsy Campbell announces the ‘hour of sweet rebellion’

Epsy Campbell announces the ‘hour of sweet rebellion’

After rumors that she was considering running as an independent, former Citizen Action Party (PAC) President Epsy Campbell reaffirmed her previously announced decision to seek her party´s nomination for the 2010 presidential elections.

Campbell´s candidacy has pitted her against party founder and two-time presidential nominee Ottón Solís, a move that is threatening to split the party.

Campbell, in a letter to supporters, invoked the struggle of U.S. civil rights activist Rosa Parks, who, she said, “for having refused to give up her (bus) seat to a white person and move to the back, was jailed, setting off the spark for the Civil Rights Movement.”

As she continued, Campbell, who is of Afro-Caribbean ancestry, framed the struggle in terms of gender, and not race.

While she did not name Solís specifically, her invocation of the image of a black woman refusing to give up her seat to a white man as she challenges Solís for their party´s nomination appeared to strike a chord, and has set off a very public struggle of allegiances among the party faithful.

In her letter, Campbell stressed the need to attract new members to the party through a reinvention of the party. “To promote change is a difficult task after eight years during which the greater part of the party has accustomed itself to having a ‘sole leader.´ … The hour has come for the sweet rebellion.”

The party announced this week it will hold its convention to nominate its candidate on May 30, which happens to be Solis´ birthday. While the party has traditionally held closed conventions at which its 80 members vote to nominate the party´s candidate for president, this year the convention will be open to new party members who register by April 30. Campbell had previously said she would only run if PAC held an open primary.

Popular Articles

Costa Rica’s Rising Violence Challenges Chaves’ Security Claims

Costa Rica President Rodrigo Chaves, in his third annual report to be presented to the Legislative Assembly tomorrow, defended his administration’s security strategy, describing...

Keylor Navas Set to Rejoin Costa Rican National Team for 2025 Gold Cup

Goalkeeper Keylor Navas, a Costa Rican football icon, is poised to return to La Sele for the 2025 Gold Cup, nearly a year after...

Toxic Air Alert in Grecia as Poás Volcano Continues to Erupt

The ongoing eruptions of Poás Volcano have triggered health concerns for the community of Grecia and nearby areas like Sarchí, Alajuela, and San José,...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait

Latest Articles