Nelson Antonio Denis

{{short description|Member of the New York State Assembly}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Nelson Antonio Denis | image = Nelson Denis.jpg | image_size = 190px | office = Member of the New York State Assembly from the 68th district | term_start = January 1, 1997 | term_end = January 1, 2001 | education = Harvard University (BA)<br>Yale University (JD) | footnotes = | parents = Antonio Denis Jordan<br>Sarah Denis | predecessor = Francisco Diaz Jr. | successor = Adam Clayton Powell IV | birth_date = June 1, 1955 | birth_place = New York City, U.S. | party = Democratic }} {{Infobox artist | nocat_wdimage = yes | honorific_prefix = | name =  | honorific_suffix = | image =  | image_size = | alt = | caption = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | birth_name =  | birth_date =  | birth_place = | death_date =  | death_place = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates =  | nationality = | education = | alma_mater = | known_for = | notable_works = (Film) ''Vote For Me!'' & (book) ''War Against All Puerto Ricans'' | style = | movement = | spouse = | awards = "Best Editorial Writing" award from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists | elected = | patrons = | memorials = | website =  }} '''Nelson Antonio Denis''' is an American attorney, author, film director, and former representative to the New York State Assembly. From 1997 through 2000, Denis represented New York's 68th Assembly district, which includes the East Harlem and Spanish Harlem neighborhoods, both highly populated by Latinos.<ref>''¿Que Pasa?: Ex-politician takes a role at directing.'' Robert Dominguez. Daily News. New York. 3 April 2003. p. 1.</ref><ref>''Alumni Spotlight: The Candidate.'' Taft Bulletin. The Taft School. Summer 2004. p.5</ref><ref name="query.nytimes.com">Navarro, Mireya, (2003-5-6), [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C02E4DF113CF935A35756C0A9659C8B63 ''Smile, You're on Candidate Camera: With an Insider's Eye, a Film Skewers Harlem Politics''], The New York Times</ref><ref>''For Defeated Incumbents, Shock and an Interest in Want Ads.'' Jonathan P. Hicks. 30 December 2000.</ref>

As the editorial director of ''El Diario La Prensa'', Denis published over 300 editorials and won the "Best Editorial Writing" award from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.<ref name="hachettebookgroup.com">[https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/contributor/nelson-a-denis/ Author Biography: Nelson Denis; ''Hachette Book Group'']</ref><ref name="thewashingtonbookreview.com">[http://www.thewashingtonbookreview.com/br/puerto-rico-is-a-us-colony/ Washington Times Book Review; ''Puerto Rico is a US Colony;'' May 10, 2015]</ref><ref name="sofritoforyoursoul.com">[http://www.sofritoforyoursoul.com/war-against-all-puerto-ricans-by-nelson-a-denis/ Sofrito For Your Soul; ''War Against All Puerto Ricans by Nelson A. Denis,'' July 4, 2015]</ref>

His most recent work is ''War Against All Puerto Ricans'', a non-fiction book, about the life of Puerto Rican independence leader Pedro Albizu Campos, and the treatment of Puerto Rican nationalists by agencies of the United States government.<ref name="nytimes.com">[https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/23/nyregion/new-york-bookshelf-the-last-big-colony-and-the-first-suburb.html?_r=0 Sam Roberts, "The last Big Colony and the First Suburb," New York Times, August 23, 2015]</ref><ref name="ReferenceC">[http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/nelson-denis-releases-book-war-puerto-ricans-article-1.2113229 Ray Monell, "Author Nelson Denis releases new book ''War Against All Puerto Ricans: Revolution and Terror in America's Colony''," New York Daily News, February 12, 2015]</ref><ref>[https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/politica/nota/historiadepuertoricodesdelaperspectivadelascarpetasdelfbi-2048286/ El Nuevo Mundo; May 17, 2015; ''Historia de Puerto Rico desde la Perspectiva de las Carpetas del FBI'']</ref>

==Early life and education== Denis was born in New York City borough of Manhattan to Antonio Denis Jordan, a native of Cuba of French descent, and Sarah Denis, originally from Puerto Rico.<ref>Mireya Navarro. ''Smile, You're on Candidate Camera; With an Insider's Eye, a Film Comedy Skewers Harlem Politics.'' The New York Times. 6 May 2003.</ref> After his father was peremptorily deported back to his homeland, when Nelson was eight years old, he was raised by his mother and grandmother.<ref>[http://www.thewashingtonbookreview.com/br/puerto-rico-is-a-us-colony/ Arif Jamal, "Puerto Rico is a US Colony," Washington Book Review]</ref>

Denis went on to graduate from Harvard College in 1977, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government, and then received a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Yale Law School in 1980. At Harvard, he acted in dramas, portraying lead roles including Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire. He then went to work as an attorney with the New York law firm of Donovan, Leisure, Newton & Irvine.<ref name="nytimes1996">[https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/19/nyregion/rising-stars-battle-in-east-harlem.html?ref=nelsonantoniodenis Rising Stars Battle in East Harlem – New York Times]. Nytimes.com (1996-08-19). Retrieved on 2012-02-04.</ref><ref name="Hicks, Jonathan 2000">Hicks, Jonathan, (2000-8-15) [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9406E2D7113FF936A2575BC0A9669C8B63 ''Power of Incumbency Vies With a Household Name''], The New York Times</ref>

== Journalism and writing == {{external media | float = left | audio1 = You can hear Nelson Denis on WNYC Radio [http://www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/episodes/2005/01/28/segments/43233 '''here'''].}} Denis's screenplays have won awards from the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York Foundation for the Arts, and CineFestival.<ref name="peoplesworld.org">[http://peoplesworld.org/new-book-offers-no-optimism-for-a-free-puerto-rico/ W.T. Whitney, Jr., "New Book Offers No Optimism for a Free Puerto Rico," ''People's World,'' Nov. 12, 2015.]</ref><ref name="web.csulb.edu">[http://web.csulb.edu/misc/inside/2015/09/15/visiting-author-to-discuss-book-on-puerto-rico-2/ ''Visiting Author to Discuss Book on Puerto Rico,'' California State University Long Beach; September 15, 2015]</ref> He also wrote and directed the feature-length film ''Vote For Me!'' which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.<ref name="query.nytimes.com"/>

Denis wrote the screenplay adaptation of his own book ''War Against All Puerto Ricans'' (Nation Books, 2015). According to The Daily News a feature film of ''War Against All Puerto Ricans'' was being planned from this screenplay and several actors, including Luís Guzmán, were interested in the project.<ref name="waragainstallpuertoricans.files.wordpress.com">[https://waragainstallpuertoricans.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/ny-daily-news-waapr-feature-film-pdf.pdf ''This War is Escalating,'' New York Daily News, June 10, 2016]</ref>

For several years Denis was the editorial director of ''El Diario La Prensa'', the largest Spanish-language newspaper in New York City, where he published over 300 editorials and received the "Best Editorial Writing" award from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.<ref name="hachettebookgroup.com"/><ref name="thewashingtonbookreview.com"/><ref name="sofritoforyoursoul.com"/>

Denis also wrote editorials for the New York Times,<ref name="ReferenceD">[https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/25/opinion/hurricane-puerto-rico-jones-act.html Denis, Nelson, (9/25/17), ''The Jones Act: The law strangling Puerto Rico,'' New York Times]</ref><ref name="ReferenceE">[https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/06/opinion/free-puerto-rico-americas-colony.html?_r=0 Denis, Nelson, (8/6/15), ''Free Puerto Rico, America's Colony'', New York Times]</ref> Publishers Weekly,<ref name="publishersweekly.com">[https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/columns-and-blogs/soapbox/article/72557-dear-publishers-latinos-read-books-too.html Denis, Nelson (January 20, 2017) ''Dear Publishers: Latinos Read Books Too'', Publishers Weekly]</ref> The Nation,<ref name="thenation.com">[https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/after-a-century-of-american-citizenship-puerto-ricans-have-little-to-show-for-it/ Denis, Nelson; "After a Century of US Citizenship, Puerto Ricans Have Little to Show for It";'' The Nation''; March 2, 2017]</ref> Harvard Political Review,<ref>[https://issuu.com/harvardpoliticalreview/docs/november-2-1977?layout=http%253A%252F%252Fskin.issuu.com%252Fv%252Flight%252Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true Harvard Political Review, Spring 1977, pp.21-24, ''The Curious Constitution of Puerto Rico'']</ref> Daily News,<ref>Denis, Nelson, (9/23/99), ''History still roils Puerto Rico'', New York Daily News</ref><ref name="ReferenceF">[http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/nelson-denis-puerto-rico-democracy-risk-article-1.2498482 New York Daily News, "Puerto Rico Democracy at Risk," Nelson A. Denis, January 19, 2016]</ref> New York Newsday,<ref>Denis, Nelson, (2007-1-22) ''Reforming Albany takes more than talk'',</ref> Orlando Sentinel<ref name="orlandosentinel.com">[http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-ed-puerto-rico-public-private-091615-20150915-story.html Denis, Nelson, (9/22/2015) ''Sharks Are Circling Puerto Rico's Assets'', Orlando Sentinel]</ref> and The New York Sun.<ref>Denis, Nelson, (2006-12-21) [http://www.nysun.com/opinion/albanys-political-club/45540/ ''Albany's Political Club''], New York Sun</ref>

He was also a cultural and political commentator on WNYC,<ref>[http://www.wnyc.org/story/21826-white-boy-learns-spanish/ Brian Lehrer Show; WNYC Radio.] Retrieved 09-25-2013.</ref><ref>WNYC; [http://www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/episodes/2005/01/28/segments/43233 ''The Brian Lehrer Show''] Retrieved 5 July 2013.</ref> WADO, and other radio outlets.<ref>[http://www.thepereznotes.com/2010/05/nelson-denis-on-perez-notes.html Nelson Denis on ''The Perez Notes''] Retrieved 5 July 2013.</ref>

From 2015 onward, Denis's journalism has focused on the economic crisis in Puerto Rico, and the historical and political underpinnings of this crisis. His editorials in this area have appeared in the New York Daily News,<ref name="ReferenceF"/> New York Times,<ref name="ReferenceD"/><ref name="ReferenceE"/> The Nation,<ref>[https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/after-a-century-of-american-citizenship-puerto-ricans-have-little-to-show-for-it/ Nelson Denis, "After a Century of American Citizenship Puerto Ricans Have Little to Show For It"], Nation; March 2, 2017</ref><ref>[https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/orwell-in-puerto-rico-congress-promises-a-new-dictatorship/ Nelson Denis, "Orwell in Puerto Rico: Congress 'Promises' a New Dictatorship"], Nation; April 15, 2016</ref> Orlando Sentinel,<ref name="orlandosentinel.com"/> and Truthout.<ref>[http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/35274-no-more-colonialism-disguised-as-financial-assistance-the-us-must-relinquish-puerto-rico Nelson Denis, "No More Colonialism Disguised as Financial Assistance: The US Must Relinquish Puerto Rico," Truthout; March 20, 2016]</ref> Denis has also appeared on ABC TV,<ref>[http://abc7ny.com/uncategorized/tiempo-watch-this-weeks-show/31525/ ''Tiempo'', WABC TV; October 11, 2016]</ref> C-SPAN,<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.c-span.org/video/?325748-1/words-nelson-denis| title = After Words with Nelson Denis {{!}} C-SPAN.org}}</ref> New York 1,<ref>http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/inside-city-hall/2015/05/15/ny1-online–former-assemblyman-discusses-book—war-against-all-puerto-ricans–revolution-and-terror-in-america-s-colony–.html {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> MSNBC,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.msnbc.com/watch/whats-going-on-with-puerto-rico-494377539660 |title=What's going on with Puerto Rico? {{!}} MSNBC |website=www.msnbc.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801174833/http://www.msnbc.com/watch/whats-going-on-with-puerto-rico-494377539660 |archive-date=2015-08-01}}</ref> Al Jazeera TV,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ajam.app.boxcn.net/s/ae009vwbc57sl69nq375oq9kmbqtf31p |title=Archived copy |access-date=2016-05-16 |archive-date=2017-05-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510100644/https://ajam.app.boxcn.net/s/ae009vwbc57sl69nq375oq9kmbqtf31p |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Democracy Now!<ref name="democracynow.org">[http://www.democracynow.org/2015/4/21/war_against_all_puerto_ricans_inside "War Against All Puerto Ricans: Inside the U.S. Crackdown on Pedro Albizu Campos & Nationalist Party," Democracy Now!, April 21, 2015]</ref><ref name="ReferenceG">[http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2015/4/21/part_2_nelson_denis_on_the "PART 2: Nelson Denis on the U.S. Persecution of Puerto Rican Independence Leader Pedro Albizu Campos," Democracy Now!, April 21, 2015]</ref> to discuss the history and current fiscal crisis of Puerto Rico.

Denis also gave radio interviews around the US to discuss conditions on the island: including the Brian Lehrer Show in New York,<ref name="wnyc.org">[http://www.wnyc.org/story/when-puerto-rico-rebelled/ ''When Puerto Rico Rebelled'', WNYC, April 15, 2015]</ref> WBEZ Worldview in Chicago,<ref name="soundcloud.com">[https://soundcloud.com/wbez-worldview/history-of-us-intervention-in-puerto-rico?in=wbez-worldview/sets/worldview-april-6-2015 ''History of US Intervention in Puerto Rico'', WBEZ, April 6, 2015]</ref> WNPR Connecticut,<ref name="wnpr.org">[http://wnpr.org/post/untold-history-between-us-and-puerto-rico ''The Untold History Between the US and Puerto Rico,'' WNPR Connecticut, April 9, 2015]</ref> WBAI/The Jordan Journal,<ref name="mediafire.com">[http://www.mediafire.com/listen/urrb3s6yup5m5qp/02-27-2015+JJournal-War+Against+All+Puerto+Ricans-Nelson+Denis.mp3 ''War Against All Puerto Ricans'', The Jordan Journal, Feb. 27, 2015]</ref> and WGBH/The Takeaway.<ref name="thetakeaway.org">[http://www.thetakeaway.org/story/secret-war-puerto-rico/ ''The Secret War for Puerto Rico'', WGBH/WNYC, April 13, 2015]</ref>

He is a strong proponent of Puerto Rican independence because of the "rigged capitalism the United States has forced on its Caribbean colony."<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/06/opinion/free-puerto-rico-americas-colony.html?mcubz=0 New York Times: "Free Puerto Rico, America's Colony" by Nelson A. Denis] August 6, 2015</ref><ref name="thenation.com"/> He has also written extensively about the Jones Act, and its economic impact on Puerto Rico.<ref name="ReferenceD"/>

His article on the status of Latino publishing in the U.S.<ref name="publishersweekly.com"/> was the second most-read editorial in Publishers Weekly for the year of 2017.<ref>[https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/columns-and-blogs/soapbox/article/75673-most-read-pw-opinion-pieces-2017.html Publishers Weekly (December 29, 2017) ''Most Read PW Opinion Pieces 2017'']</ref>

==Advocacy and New York State Assembly== left|thumb|200px|Assemblyman Nelson Denis Before and during his years as an assemblyman, Denis conducted a neighborhood legal clinic that provided advocacy, advice, and free legal services to the residents of East Harlem.<ref name="nytimes1996"/><ref name="Hicks, Jonathan 2000"/><ref>Hicks, Jonathan P. (2005-08-16) [https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/16/nyregion/metrocampaigns/16council.html With Incumbent Out of Race, an Unpredictable District – New York Times]. Nytimes.com. Retrieved on 2012-02-04.</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/20/nyregion/political-notes-once-more-powell-ponders-harlem-race.html?ref=nelsonantoniodenis Political Notes; Once More, Powell Ponders Harlem Race – New York Times]. Nytimes.com (1998-04-20). Retrieved on 2012-02-04.</ref>

Denis majored in government at Harvard,<ref name="query.nytimes.com"/> and was involved in New York State government for fourteen years.

In 1995, as deputy director of Yucahu Inc., an East Harlem community group, Denis opposed the merger of Chemical Bank and Chase Manhattan due to inadequate service to the community.<ref name="nydailynews.com">Lavan, Rosemary Metzler, (1995-11-17) [http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/money/chase-chem-face-music-hearing-article-1.697281 ''Chase/Chem Face Music at Hearing''], New York Daily News</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">Harrigan, Susan (1995-11-17) ''Minority Lending at Issue in Chemical-Chase Merger'', New York Newsday</ref>

Denis was a member of the East Harlem Community Board (C.B. 11), the Area Policy Board, and the director of strategic planning for the Harlem Community Development Corporation.<ref name="nytimes1996"/><ref name="google1">{{cite book|author=SPIN Media LLC |title=SPIN |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f7SFGOzAxGQC&pg=PA65 |accessdate=4 February 2012 |date=March 1995 |publisher=SPIN Media LLC |pages=65– |issn=0886-3032}}</ref><ref>[http://www.gothamgazette.com/print/1046 State Senate District 28 – East Harlem]. Gotham Gazette (2004-04-22). Retrieved on 2012-02-04.</ref>

In 1996 Denis won a seat in the New York State Assembly, where he served as a Democrat from 1997 to 2000, and developed a reputation as a reformer.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150216040114/http://www.villagevoice.com/2000-08-22/news/the-prodigal-son-returns/full/ The Village Voice; ''The Prodigal Son Returns'', 08-22-2000.] Retrieved October 10, 2013.</ref> He was also a New York State Democratic District Leader from 1995 to 2001.<ref name="Hicks, Jonathan 2000"/>

The press noted that his mother, Sarah Denis, worked 12-hour days on the campaign trail and that Denis was himself an untiring campaigner who was "often seen throughout the neighborhood campaigning on the back of a blue bus."<ref name="nytimes1996"/><ref name="nytimes4">[https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/13/nyregion/the-1994-campaign-east-harlem-legislative-candidate-turns-to-gang-for-help.html?ref=nelsonantoniodenis THE 1994 CAMPAIGN: EAST HARLEM; Legislative Candidate Turns to Gang for Help – New York Times]. Nytimes.com (1994-09-13). Retrieved on 4 February 2012.</ref>

==Latin Kings controversy== right|thumb|290px|Nelson Denis and his mother, Sarah In 1994, Denis entered into a controversial relationship with the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation. While jogging along the FDR Drive, he ran into a group of 500 Latin Kings and recruited them into his campaign for the State Assembly.<ref name="google1"/>

Denis and the Latin Kings cleaned up several parks in East Harlem, and attended community board meetings together.<ref name="google1"/><ref name="nytimes4"/> Denis also pledged that, if he won, he would help the Latin Kings to create a community non-profit corporation, a leadership training course, and a construction apprenticeship program to rehabilitate roughly 800 abandoned buildings in East Harlem.<ref name="nytimes4"/>

Denis maintained that "the Kings are the product of 20 years of neglect. These are the youth that Reagan forgot."<ref name="nytimes4"/> However, others did not agree. His opponent, the incumbent Assemblyman Angelo Del Toro, said "they're gangsters and a threat."<ref name="nytimes4"/>

Another early skeptic was Denis's mother. She laid down rules that included no beepers or babies in the office, but she gradually learned to work with them.<ref name="nytimes4"/>

Despite this controversy, the ''New York Times'' endorsed Denis for the State Assembly that year.<ref name="nytimes1994">[https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/13/opinion/new-york-city-primary-choices.html?ref=nelsonantoniodenis New York City Primary Choices – New York Times]. Nytimes.com (1994-09-13). Retrieved on 2012-02-04.</ref>

==Works==

===''Vote For Me!''=== Prior to serving in the New York State Assembly, Denis directed TV commercials and several short films, and wrote eight screenplays.<ref name="voteforme-themovie1">Navarro, Mireya, (2003-5-6) [http://voteforme-themovie.com/articles/nytimes.pdf ''Smile, You're on Candidate Camera: With an Insider's Eye, a Film Skewers Harlem Politics''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319214617/http://voteforme-themovie.com/articles/nytimes.pdf |date=2009-03-19 }}, The New York Times</ref> His screenplays won awards from the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York Foundation for the Arts, and CineFestival.<ref name="peoplesworld.org"/><ref name="web.csulb.edu"/>

Denis also wrote and directed the feature film '''''Vote For Me!''''' which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. It also won the Best Picture Award at the 2009 Staten Island Film Festival, and a Feature Film Award at the 2009 Orlando Hispanic Film Festival.<ref>[http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/staten_islands_siny_film_festi.html That's a wrap for Staten Island's SINY Film Festival]. SILive.com. Retrieved on 2012-02-04.</ref><ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10365750-orlando-hispanic-film-festival-announces-2009-audience-award.html Orlando Hispanic Film Festival Announces 2009 Audience Award]. PRLog. Retrieved on 2012-02-04.</ref>

left|150px

Starring Malik Yoba (New York Undercover, Soul Food, Cool Runnings); Chi Chi Salazar (Scarface (1983 film), Carlito's Way); Ricardo Barber (The Feast of the Goat); ''Vote For Me!'' was a comedy about a 75-year-old Puerto Rican super who runs for the United States Congress.

The film was based on Denis's own experiences in East Harlem. Many East Harlem residents, musicians, and even local politicians appeared in the film, which "blurred the line between reality and fiction to capture the spectacle of New York City politics."<ref name="query.nytimes.com"/><ref name="voteforme-themovie1"/> ''Vote For Me!'' screened in over a dozen film festivals in New York and Puerto Rico, and was well received by the press.

''The New York Times'' declared it "reminiscent of Spike Lee's ''Do the Right Thing'', but with a lighter touch."<ref name="query.nytimes.com"/><ref name="voteforme-themovie1"/>

''The Boston Globe'' found it "ebullient...politically charged...mixes quirkiness and cultural poignancy."<ref>Tang, Jean. (2003-10-21) [https://archive.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2003/10/21/political_themes_abound_in_latino_film_fest/ / News / Boston Globe / Living / Arts / Political themes abound in Latino film fest]. Boston.com. Retrieved on 2012-02-04.</ref>

''Vote For Me!'' also received national coverage from Fox News Channel, National Public Radio, Univision, Telemundo, WSKQ FM, MEGA FM, WADO-AM, WNYC, VIVA Magazine, El Diario La Prensa, El Nuevo Dia, Siempre, Hoy, and other news outlets.<ref>Dominguez, Robert, (March 2002), [http://voteforme-themovie.com/articles/viva.pdf ''Nelson Denis: Politics as Reel Life''], VIVA New York/The Daily News</ref><ref>[http://voteforme-themovie.com/articles/eldiario.pdf El Diario 17 April 2003]</ref><ref>[http://voteforme-themovie.com/articles/elnuevodia.pdf Comedia politica desde El Barrio]. El Nuevo Dia</ref><ref name=wad>Waddell, Robert, (2003-04-22), [http://voteforme-themovie.com/articles/siempre.pdf ''Vote For Me!''], Siempre, 22 April – 5 May 2003</ref><ref>Saade, Carmen Lira, (2003-04-25), [http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2003/04/25/18an1esp.php?origen=espectaculos.html ''Ex Politico de Nueva York Estrena Pelicula''], La Jornada</ref><ref>Eric Bennett [http://spartandaily.com/8575/dark-comedies-featured-at-film-festival ''Dark Comedies Featured at Film Festival''], The Spartan Daily (2004-03-10)</ref><ref>[http://www.cinequest.org/event_view.php?eid=1203 Film Festival : VOTE FOR ME!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604182733/http://www.cinequest.org/event_view.php?eid=1203 |date=2011-06-04 }}. Cinequest. Retrieved on 2012-02-04.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060617211534/http://cinemaartscentre.org/latino/lat_vote.html Vote for me (Voto Para Mí)]. cinemaartscentre.org. Dec. 12</ref>

===''Make America Great Again''===

Denis wrote, produced and directed the feature film '''''Make America Great Again''''', a dark comedy about the immigrant experience in America, which premiered at the Chelsea Film Festival in New York City.<ref name="chelseafilm.org">{{Cite web|url=https://www.chelseafilm.org/make-america-great-again/|title = Make America Great Again}}</ref>

According to ''The Huffington Post'', "The film traces the adventures of Rogelio Yola, a dreamer from the Dominican Republic who comes to America in search of a job, gets falsely accused of terrorism, and is chased by ICE agents for nearly half the movie. Aside from one of the most outrageous chase sequences in recent cinema history, the film offers an intelligent, ironic and politically astute vision of US immigration policy."<ref>[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/re-affirming-the-american-dreamwith-a-great-movie_us_5a087ea4e4b0cc46c52e6b6f Julio Pabon, "Re-affirming the American dream with a great movie," Huffington Post, 11/12/2017]</ref>

NBC News noted that "''Make America Great Again'' was shot in the diverse neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City. Denis intentionally incorporated local landmarks like the United Palace Theater, the Iwo Jima Memorial, the Morris-Jumel Mansion, the Audubon Ballroom (where Malcolm X was shot), and the George Washington Bridge into the film, to make his characters' surroundings part of their story."<ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/ice-chase-laughs-filmmaker-nelson-denis-puts-human-face-immigration-n849906 Raul A. Reyes, "With ICE chase and laughs, filmmaker Nelson A. Denis puts human face on immigration," NBC News, Feb. 28, 2018]</ref>

Long Island Weekly reported that, "With the daily political narrative being defined within a truth-is-stranger-than-fiction framework, filmmaker Nelson Denis has taken a satirical crack at addressing these strange times we currently live in. The former New York State Assemblyman and acclaimed author of ''War Against All Puerto Ricans'' recently shot ''Make America Great Again'', a feature film that takes a look at the trials and travails of an undocumented immigrant from the Dominican Republic, played by Angel "Chi Chi" Salazar (Scarface (1983 film)."<ref>[https://longislandweekly.com/arts-music-entertainment/immigrant-woes-heart-make-america-great/ Dave Gil de Rubio, ''"Immigrant Woes At Heart Of Make America Great Again"'', Long Island Weekly, 2/21/2018]</ref>

In New York City, the film received additional newspaper<ref>[https://eldiariony.com/2018/02/28/make-america-great-again-la-pelicula/ ''"Make America Great Again: La Pelicula!,"'' El Diario/La Prensa, 2/28/2018]</ref> and radio<ref>[https://wbai.org/upcomingprogram.php?upcomingid=3540 Howard Jordan, ''"The Jordan Journal on WBAI,"'' 12/15/2017]</ref> coverage from the Latino press, and was invited to the Chelsea Film Festival, for a world premiere on October 20, 2018.<ref>[https://eldiariony.com/2018/10/18/make-america-great-again-te-hara-reir-y-pensar/ El Diario La Prensa, Oct. 18, 2018, ''"Make America Great Again" te Hara Reir y Pensar'']</ref><ref>[https://eldiariony.com/2018/02/28/make-america-great-again-la-pelicula/ El Diario La Prensa, Feb. 28, 2018, ''"Make America Great Again" La Pelicula!'']</ref><ref name="chelseafilm.org"/>

In Spring 2019, ''Make America Great Again'' was commercially distributed in Puerto Rico.<ref>[https://caribbeancinemas.com/movie/6874/ Caribbean Cinemas: "Make America Great Again"]</ref> While playing in movie theatres throughout the island, the film received major coverage from the island's largest newspapers.<ref>[https://www.elnuevodia.com/entretenimiento/cine/nota/eldirectornelsondenisestrenalapeliculamakeamericagreatagain-2489578/ Patricia Vargas Casiano, "El director Nelson Denis Estrena la pelicula ''Make America Great Again''," El Nuevo Dia, 4/23/2019]</ref><ref>[https://www.elvocero.com/escenario/la-denuncia-tras-la-comedia/article_752bde48-66d7-11e9-8bc6-531adf16d3be.html Jorge Rodriguez, ''"La Denuncia Tras la Comedia,"'' El Vocero, 4/25/2019]</ref><ref>[https://www.claridadpuertorico.com/make-america-great-again-segun-nelson-denis/ Giancarlo Vasquez Lopez, ''"Make America Great Again segun Nelson Denis,"'' Claridad, 5/2/2019]</ref><ref>[https://www.primerahora.com/entretenimiento/cine/nota/comediadealgoserio-1338569/ Rosalina Marrero-Rodriguez, ''"Comedia de algo serio,"'' Primera Hora, 4/22/2019]</ref>

===''War Against All Puerto Ricans''=== {{ external media | video1 = [http://www.c-span.org/video/?325748-1/words-nelson-denis C-SPAN interview with Nelson Denis about ''War Against All Puerto Ricans''] | video2 = [http://www.democracynow.org/2015/4/21/war_against_all_puerto_ricans_inside Denis appears on Democracy Now! to discuss ''War Against All Puerto Ricans''] | video3 = [http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2015/4/21/part_2_nelson_denis_on_the Part 2 of Democracy Now! interview] | video4 = [http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/inside-city-hall/2015/05/15/ny1-online--former-assemblyman-discusses-book---war-against-all-puerto-ricans--revolution-and-terror-in-america-s-colony--.html Denis appears on New York 1 to discuss ''War Against All Puerto Ricans''] }} Denis is the author of ''War Against All Puerto Ricans'', which was published on April 7, 2015. The book is based on recently declassified FBI files, congressional testimony, oral histories, personal interviews and eyewitness accounts. It covers the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party Revolts of the 1950s, a series of coordinated armed protests for the independence of Puerto Rico led by the president of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party, Don Pedro Albizu Campos.<ref name="kirkusreviews.com">[https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/nelson-denis/war-against-all-puerto-ricans/ Kirkus Reviews; War Against All Puerto Ricans; 1/22/15]</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">[http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/nelson-denis-releases-book-war-puerto-ricans-article-1.2113229 NY Daily News, "Author Nelson Denis releases new book ''War Against All Puerto Ricans''," 2/12/15]</ref>

The book also documents how the U.S. Army arrested 3,000 Puerto Ricans, deployed thousands of troops and bombarded two towns in order to stop the uprising - the only time in history that the U.S. government intentionally bombed its own citizens.<ref name="kirkusreviews.com"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/>

The US Government also dropped incendiary bombs from bi-planes during the Tulsa massacre of African Americans in 1921, as recorded by Buck Colbert Franklin, a noted Oklahoma attorney in Smithsonian Magazine, December 12, 2018.

On My 13, 1985, Philadelphia Police commissioner, Gregore J. Sambor, ordered a helicopter to drop two one-pound bombs on the roof of MOVE activists. The explosion caused a massive fire destroying an entire city block and the death of 11 inhabitants, mostly children. As described in the May 27, 1985 issue of Time Magazine.

Amongst the reviews for the book, the New York Times wrote: "Scathing insights into Washington's response to Albizu Campos's nationalist party and its violent revolution in 1950 that still has broad implications...his perspective of largely overlooked history could not be more timely."<ref name="nytimes.com"/> left|thumb|Assemblyman Nelson Denis leads a city hall rally in New York|362px The New York Daily News wrote: "The book gives a meticulous and riveting account of the decades-long clash between the Puerto Rican independence movement...prepare to be outraged...a timely, eye-opening must-read."<ref name="ReferenceC"/> ''Latino Rebels'' wrote "''War Against All Puerto Ricans'' earns 'instant classic' status…anyone who wants to understand U.S. imperial history from the time of Manifest Destiny needs to read this book."<ref>[http://www.latinorebels.com/2015/04/08/war-against-all-puerto-ricans-earns-instant-classic-status/ Julio Varela, ''War Against All Puerto Ricans Earns "Instant Classic" Status'', Latino Rebels, April 8, 2015 ]</ref>

Mother Jones called the book "The lost history of Puerto Rico's independence movement."<ref name="motherjones.com">[https://www.motherjones.com/media/2015/04/puerto-rico-independence-albizu-campos ''The Lost History of Puerto Rico's Independence Movement,'' by AJ Vicens, Mother Jones, April 21, 2015]</ref>

VIBE Magazine wrote that "''War Against All Puerto Ricans'', in obvious wake of the island's economic turmoil, is relevant in understanding, full circle, why Puerto Rico is where it is today."<ref>[http://www.vibe.com/2016/06/why-war-against-all-puerto-ricans-feature/ Bianca Salvant, ''Boricua pride shines, but "War Against All Puerto Ricans" continues'', VIBE Magazine, June 17, 2016.]</ref>

Kirkus Reviews described the book as "a scathing examination of American colonial policy in Puerto Rico...a pointed, relentless chronicle of a despicable part of past American foreign policy."<ref>[https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/nelson-denis/war-against-all-puerto-ricans/ ''Book Review: War Against All Puerto Ricans'', Kirkus Reviews, January 22, 2015]</ref> In ''La Respuesta,'' the reviewer praised "the book's historical value...a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about Puerto Rico."<ref>[http://larespuestamedia.com/war-against-puerto-ricans-exposed/ Andre Lee Muñiz, "''The War Against All Puerto Ricans Exposed,''" La Respuesta, April 7, 2015]</ref> ''Gozamos'' reported that "Nelson Denis doesn't just give us history. He gives us history on fire…a thoroughly researched indictment of over a century of U.S. policy toward one small island…a full-throated eulogy of brave heroes, men and women of conviction, who devoted every drop of their blood to a people and a principle."<ref>[http://gozamos.com/2015/04/war-against-all-puerto-ricans/ Hector Luis Alamo, ''Book Review: War Against All Puerto Ricans'', Gozamos, April 10, 2015]</ref>

''War Against All Puerto Ricans'' was featured on national and local television, including Democracy Now!<ref name="democracynow.org"/><ref name="ReferenceG"/> and New York 1.<ref>[http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/inside-city-hall/2015/05/15/ny1-online--former-assemblyman-discusses-book---war-against-all-puerto-ricans--revolution-and-terror-in-america-s-colony--.html Former Assemblyman discusses book -- War Against All Puerto Ricans: Revolution and Terror in America's Colony, "Inside City Hall," NY1]</ref> Denis also appeared in radio broadcasts around the US, including the Brian Lehrer Show in New York,<ref name="wnyc.org"/> WBEZ Worldview in Chicago,<ref name="soundcloud.com"/> WNPR Connecticut,<ref name="wnpr.org"/> WBAI/The Jordan Journal,<ref name="mediafire.com"/> and WGBH/The Takeaway.<ref name="thetakeaway.org"/>

Extensive author interviews were also conducted in Truthout,<ref>[http://www.truth-out.org/progressivepicks/item/30925-how-the-united-states-economically-and-politically-strangled-puerto-rico ''How the United States Economically and Politically Strangled Puerto Rico,'' by Mark Karlin, Truthout, May 24, 2015]</ref> Mother Jones,<ref name="motherjones.com"/> and the largest newspaper in Puerto Rico, El Nuevo Dia.<ref>[http://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/politica/nota/historiadepuertoricodesdelaperspectivadelascarpetasdelfbi-2048286/ ''Historia de Puerto Rico Desde la Perspectiva de las Carpetas del FBI,'' by José Delgado, El Nuevo Dia, May 17, 2015]</ref>

The New York Daily News noted that the Independence Party of Puerto Rico scheduled an eight-town tour for the book on the island of Puerto Rico.<ref name="ReferenceH">[http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/theater-arts/nelson-denis-war-book-escalating-article-1.2255222 ''War Book is Escalating,'' by Ray Monell, New York Daily News, June 11, 2015]</ref> The Daily News also reported that the book "has become the subject of political water-cooler talk, national TV and newspaper coverage - including a three-part series of articles in El Nuevo Dia - and a letter from Puerto Rico's governor, Alejandro Garcia Padilla, to the book's domestic distributor recognizing its significance."<ref name="ReferenceH"/>

A year after its publication, Rain Taxi reported that "Denis's book is a work of history, essential history...an indictment and a call to action."<ref>[http://www.raintaxi.com/war-against-all-puerto-ricans-revolution-and-terror-in-americas-colony/ Spencer Dew, ''War Against All Puerto Ricans: Terror in America's Colony,'' Rain Taxi, Spring 2016]</ref>

The book has stirred some controversy. One historian questioned Denis' writing style and "resourceful imagination."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://dialogoupr.com/opinion-y-debate/29-lies-and-more-to-come-in-the-fictitious-war-against-all-puerto-ricans/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926032020/http://dialogoupr.com/opinion-y-debate/29-lies-and-more-to-come-in-the-fictitious-war-against-all-puerto-ricans/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 26, 2015 |title=29 Lies (and more to come) in the fictitious War Against All Puerto Ricans |first=Luis |last=Ferrao |date=2015-09-24 |accessdate=2015-12-19 |newspaper=Diálogo |publisher=University of Puerto Rico }}</ref> Another stated that it contained "extraordinary and incredible assertions" and that Chapter 14 should have "more references."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://dialogoupr.com/opinion-y-debate/nelson-denis-y-el-espia-que-surgio-dedonde/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820214754/http://dialogoupr.com/opinion-y-debate/nelson-denis-y-el-espia-que-surgio-dedonde/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=August 20, 2015 |title=Nelson Denis, y el espía que surgió de…¿dónde? |first=Miguel |last=Santiago Ríos |date=2015-08-19 |accessdate=2015-12-19 |newspaper=Diálogo |publisher=University of Puerto Rico}}</ref> Denis responded to these concerns with a detailed article in the University of Puerto Rico newspaper, ''Diálogo UPR''.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20151004182335/http://dialogoupr.com/opinion-y-debate/the-many-lies-of-luis-ferrao/ Nelson Denis, "The Many Lies of Luis Ferrao," ''UPR-Dialogo'', October 2, 2015]}} Retrieved 2015-12-20.</ref>

Denis also wrote the screenplay adaptation of his book ''War Against All Puerto Ricans''. According to The Daily News a feature film of ''War Against All Puerto Ricans'' was being planned from this screenplay and several actors, including Luís Guzmán, were strongly interested in the project.<ref name="waragainstallpuertoricans.files.wordpress.com"/>

In March 2016, ''El Nuevo Dia,'' the largest newspaper in Puerto Rico, reported on the 25 best-selling books in Puerto Rico over the past year (2015–2016). ''War Against All Puerto Ricans'' topped the entire list.<ref>[http://www.elnuevodia.com/entretenimiento/cultura/nota/loqueseestaleyendoenpuertorico-2169701/ Rosalina Marrero Rodríguez,"Lo que se está leyendo en Puerto Rico," ''El Nuevo Dia,'' March 2, 2016] Retrieved 2015-5-13.</ref>

==See also== {{Portal|New York City|Puerto Rico|Biography|Government|Politics|Journalism|}}

*Puerto Rican literature *List of Puerto Rican writers *List of Latin American writers *Nuyorican Movement *Harvard Political Review (Notable Alumni) *Yale Law School (Notable Alumni) *Taft School (Notable Alumni) *Donovan, Leisure, Newton & Irvine (Notable alumni){{clear}}

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== *[https://twitter.com/NelsonADenis Twitter feed] *[http://www.voteforme-themovie.com Vote For Me! (movie)] *[http://makeamericagreatagain.movie/ Make America Great Again! (movie)] *{{IMDb name|1096196}} *[https://query.nytimes.com/search/sitesearch/#/Nelson+Denis ''New York Times'' (Nelson Denis articles)] *[http://www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/episodes/2005/01/28/segments/43233 WNYC Radio] *{{C-SPAN|97565}}

{{S-start}} {{S-par|us-ny-hs}} {{S-bef|before=Francisco Diaz Jr.}} {{S-ttl|title=New York State Assembly<br />68th District|years=1997–2000}} {{S-aft|after=Adam Clayton Powell IV}} {{S-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Denis, Nelson Antonio}} Category:Journalists from New York City Category:Film directors from New York City Category:Screenwriters from New York (state) Category:Democratic Party members of the New York State Assembly Category:Yale Law School alumni Category:Harvard College alumni Category:Taft School alumni Category:Writers from Manhattan Category:New York (state) lawyers Category:Activists from New York (state) Category:20th-century American male journalists Category:American editors Category:Puerto Rican non-fiction writers Category:Puerto Rican nationalists Category:American politicians of Puerto Rican descent Category:American people of Cuban descent Category:American people of French descent Category:People from East Harlem Category:Living people Category:1955 births Category:20th-century American lawyers Category:20th-century American journalists Category:20th-century American screenwriters Category:20th-century American male writers Category:21st-century American lawyers Category:21st-century American journalists Category:21st-century American screenwriters Category:21st-century American male writers Category:21st-century members of the New York State Legislature Category:20th-century members of the New York State Legislature Category:21st-century American male journalists