On an October morning in 1935, the streets of Río Piedras erupted into violence that would change Puerto Rican history forever. Blood on the Streets plunges readers into the heart of a pivotal moment, when four Nationalists were gunned down near the University of Puerto Rico in what became known as the Río Piedras massacre.

Through gripping narrative and meticulous research, Alex Alicea uncovers the political tensions, colonial oppression, and social unrest that led to this deadly clash. He traces the rise of the Nationalist movement, the fiery leadership of Pedro Albizu Campos, and the colonial government’s campaign of surveillance, intimidation, and misinformation. With vivid detail, the book reconstructs the events of October 24, 1935, drawing from eyewitness accounts, declassified reports, and the voices of those who lived through the aftermath.

More than a historical recounting, Blood on the Streets is a powerful exploration of identity, resistance, and the cost of colonial power. Readers will gain insight into how a single act of state violence ignited a generation’s call for independence and altered the course of Puerto Rican politics. The story is not just about the past, it speaks directly to ongoing questions of justice, autonomy, and dignity.

Perfect for readers of Latin American history, social justice advocates, and anyone interested in understanding the roots of Puerto Rico’s fight for self-determination, Blood on the Streets offers a compelling, human centered account of a forgotten massacre that demands to be remembered. Turn the page and bear witness to a story that still echoes today.