A Publication Of The National Committee To Free Puerto Rican
Prisoners Of War And Political Prisoners
"40th Anniversary Of The Attack On Congress"
"14th Anniversary Of The Capture Of The Puerto Rican Prisoners Of
War"
Index:
1) Editorial
2) "I Am Not Sorry, I Am Not Sorry For What I Did" - March 1, 1954-
March 1, 1994: 40 Years Later, The Nation Lives
3) Oscar Collazo: Presente!, Irvin Flores: Presente!, Viva Puerto
Rico Libre!
4) "It is a crime to maintain over 20 men and women in prison for
fighting colonialism in Puerto Rico when in fact it is our right
and our duty"
5) Book Ad: "Problemas De Interpretacion Y Conocimiento En La
Filosofia Europea"
6) How Much Longer Must We Wait?
7) Ad: Isabel Rosado Gallery
8) In Our Eyes, Our Fathers Are Heroes...
9) More Than Fourteen Years In Prison! - P.P./P.O.W. List
10) An Interview With Luis Nieves Falcon (Ofensiva '92)
11) ...Thirteen Years Older With No Oscar
12) Update
1) Editorial
Puerto Rico has been a colony for 500 years. The Spaniards
submitted the original inhabitants of the island, the Tainos, to
cruel economic exploitation and when they rebelled, they were
massacred by the colonizers. When the importation of African slaves
began, they, like the Tainos, were submitted to economic
exploitation and deprived of the most basic political, cultural,
social and economic rights.
The first acts of rebellion, which were drowned in blood by
the Spaniards, began near the end of the 18th century. It was from
a mixture of Taino, African and Spanish blood that the nation of
Puerto Rico was born. A conscience of liberation was planted by our
Taino-African ancestors that would not wait to germinate. And it
was these struggles that paved the way for the independence of
Puerto Rico.
The struggle against oppression, exploitation and colonialism
continued to develop throughout the 19th century. On September 23,
1868 an important act in our history as a people took place. Puerto
Rican patriots, after a great struggle, were able to overtake the
Spanish army in the mountain town of Lares and proclaim the
Republic of Puerto Rico. Even though the Spanish army was able to
overtake the armed insurrection on November 23, 1868, Spain was
eventually forced to recognize an autonomous regime with broad
powers which constituted the forefront of the people's long awaited
independence. The Autonomous Charter of 1897 established universal
suffrage, representation in the courts, electoral bodies, and the
exclusive right to set tariffs. Puerto Rico had it's own currency,
postal stamps and all the symbols of a sovereign nation.
On July 25, 1898, the United States militarily attacked our
island and took power by force. The interests of the North
Americans consisted of appropriating the island's commerce and
creating a vital centre for military-strategic plans. The yankees
immediately began a process to dissolve the parliament of Puerto
Rico and established military rule. At the same time, they began
to americanize the country, attempting to destroy our culture,
traditions and customs.
Resistance began immediately against the North American
invasion, continuing the struggle against an even more powerful
enemy. Different anti-imperialist attacks have been felt throughout
the island since 1898. They include the August 13, 1898 Ciales
Uprising; agricultural workers strikes, the struggle for the
Spanish language and Puerto Rican citizenship; university strikes
against the ROTC; the Jayuya Uprising in 1950; the attack on Blair
House in 1950; the Attack on the House of Representatives of the
United States in 1954 by Lolita Lebron Soto, Rafael Cancel Miranda,
Irving Flores and Andres Figueroa Cordero, who as a result spent
25 years in prison; and the attack on Fraunces Tavern in 1974. It
is carried on in the people's uprising in the island of Vieques
against the presence of the U.S. Marines; the stance of non-
collaboration with the Grand Jury and the protests and strikes
against the electoral system. The attack on Muniz Air Base (one of
the military bases in Puerto Rico which occupy 13% of our national
territory); the attacks against the federal offices of the
repressive forces of the FBI in San Juan, PR and all that go
unmentioned are historical events that have come from the people;
people that have developed their own combatants who have struggled
for their freedom.
The United States, just as their Spanish predecessors, is
anxious to stop the struggle for independence. They continue the
persecution against the expressions of the libertarian arm,
upholding in Puerto Rico a regime of constant oppression through
truly terrorist organizations such as the FBI, CIA, National Guard,
and an endless number of military bases and death squads. These
repressive machines are responsible for the assassination,
incarceration, persecution and repression of a people who have and
continue to struggle for independence. Examples of this repressive
assistance and in many cases outright planning include, the
assassination of the combatants that heroically participated in the
Ciales Uprising, and the audacious combatants that fell in the
Uprising in Jayuya. The Ponce Massacre, where 20 nationalists were
killed and 200 wounded, was part of this repression, as was the Rio
Piedras Massacre where four young nationalists were murdered; the
assassination of Elias Beauchamp and Hiram Rosado; the entrapment
and massacre of two young independentistas in Cerro Maravilla; the
assassination of Angel Rodriguez Cristobal and many others.
Outright murder is not the only way to attack people, it also
happens through the incarceration of entire resistance movements.
The imprisonment of the leadership of the Nationalist Party in
1936, including Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos, Juan Antonio Corretjer,
Erasmos Velasquez and Clemente Soto Velez is a prime example of
this type of repression. During the time of the nationalist
uprisings, many combatants were incarcerated including Doris
Torresola, Blanca Canales, Isabel Rosado, Carmin Perez, Oscar
Collazo, Consuelo Lee de Corretjer, Jose Rivera Sotomayor y Ricardo
Diaz.
The North American imperialists have never ceased to repress,
persecute and attack our struggle. Today they illegally hold 17
combatants captive in the United States: Adolfo Matos Antongiorgi,
Alberto Rodriguez, Alejandrina Torres, Alicia Rodriguez, Antonio
Comancho Negron, Carlos Alberto Torres, Carmen Valentin, Edwin
Cortes, Elizan Escobar, Ida Luz Rodriguez, Juan Segarra Palmer,
Luis Rosa, Norman Ramirez Talavera, Oscar Lopez Rivera, Ricardo
Jimenez and Roberto Jose Maldonado.
Illegally, we say, because the judicial process to which our
Prisoners of War and Political Prisoners have been subjected to is
based on the illegality of the United States government's colonial
control of our island. These prisoners, combatants in the struggle
for liberation of our country, are constantly submitted to
violations of their human rights which have included physical
aggression, sensory deprivation, sexual assault, isolation from
family and community and illegal extradition
We hope to have informed our readers with this brief
historical overview of the oppression of the Puerto Rican people,
and illustrate the resistance that continues to this day.
Founded in 1980, after the arrests of ten Puerto Rican women
and men, the National Committee To Free Puerto Rican Prisoners of
War and Political Prisoners works toward achieving unconditional
amnesty for these patriots. As part of our efforts we publish
Libertad in which we offer information about the prisoners and
provide a vehicle for their politico-literary expression. We urge
all to join our efforts. Contact us and feel free to contact the
prisoners directly.
2) "I Am Not Sorry, I Am Not Sorry For What I Did" - March 1, 1954-
March 1, 1994: 40 Years Later, The Nation Lives
by Jose E. Lopez
With these words of defiance, Rafael Cancel Miranda and Lolita
Lebron answered a hostile press moments after attacking the
Congress of the U.S. on March 1, 1954. This history-making event
put the colonial question of Puerto Rico on the world agenda - a
world which just a few months earlier had decided in a U.N. vote -
totally controlled by the U.S. - that the issue of Puerto Rico was
an internal matter for the United States.
The Nationalist commando, led by a woman, Lolita Lebron -
perhaps one of the first women in Latin America to lead men in an
armed action - entered the U.S. House of Representatives and opened
fire from the gallery, shouting "Long Live a Free Puerto Rico".
Five congressmen were wounded.
Reflecting upon this deed the Mexican writer Jose de
Vasconcelos wrote:
"Because of a desperation which was superhuman, three or four
island patriots led by Lolita Lebron took the road from New York
to Washington. They made the trip by bus, because it was cheaper.
The U.N. officials who failed to read Lolita Lebron's poster [This
reference by Jose de Vasconcelos is of a picture that appeared of
Lolita Lebron in the N.Y. Times with a picket sign reading "We
demand the complete independence of Puerto Rico." (1953)] travel
high above in jet planes; they could not discern the humble caravan
headed by Lolita Lebron. The island girl, like her comrades, bought
only a one way ticket partly for the economy, no doubt, but also
because they realized that they were on a trip from which there was
no return."
A one way ticket they bought, knowing full well the
consequences of their deed, knowing that the only thing that
motivated their action was the freedom of their homeland. They left
family, friends, worldly possessions - they gave up everything, and
most importantly, they were willing to give up their lives to save
their homeland. The U.S. had taken the island in 1898, by an act
of war, and since then, in the words of the late Bishop Antulio
Parrilla Bonilla, "Our nationality has been subjected to an all-
out, constant, ruthless, unceasing attack to make it disappear. The
fundamental elements which make the nation have been attacked - the
language, the values, the particular styles or life, the history,
culture and sentiments."
The 1952 U.N. decision had legitimized this act. And thus,
Puerto Ricans as a people had been denationalized first by an act
of war of the U.S. and then by a diplomatic act of the U.N. It
seemed to the patriotic forces of Puerto Rico that the entire world
had now conspired with the U.S. to totally take the Puerto Ricans
as a national entity out of history. But it was a nation that had
been forged in the mountains and the fields, a nation that had been
created out of the acts of resistance of Tainos, Africans and
marginalized Spaniards. This nation was not to be erased from the
pages of history. The dangerous memories that lingered from the
Taino uprisings, the African rebellions and jibaro steadfastness,
the actions in Lares and Ciales and the thought of Hostos, Lola
Rodriguez de Tio, Ramon Emeterio Betances, all seem to come
together like ripples of energy, creating the mighty current of the
March 1st attack on congress.
Lolita and Rafael, Andres and Irvin knew they had nothing to
be sorry for. To love one's nation means never having to say "I'm
sorry."
Those who had to ask for forgiveness where those who had
wanted to exclude Puerto Rico from history. All that Lolita,
Rafael, Andres and Irvin did was to place Puerto Rico back into
history. Newspapers, news reels and radios transmitted the "Act of
Sublime Heroism" as Albizu called it. The shots heard in Washington
were heard around the world.
That "am not sorry" saved the national dignity of a people.
In the midst of the McCarthy era, at the zenith of the American
Imperia Invictus, these brave patriots made an indelible mark. Ever
since then the repressive agencies of the U.S. Government have been
on the lookout for "Puerto Rican terrorists." Like every oppressor
the U.S. empire could not sleep thereafter. Obviously, Oscar
Collazo and Griselio Torresola had in their attack on the Blair
House on November 1, 1950 already set the stage. America will never
sleep with ease - no oppressor has ever been at peace with its past
sins. At every turn the images of their Congress under siege lurk
in the mind of almost every U.S. government official. The
possibilities of an encounter with "Puerto Rican terrorists" became
an obsession and a nightmare. COINTELPRO and other forms of
machinations were created to deal with this phantom. In the late
1960's and 70's, despite the tactics of J. Edgar Hoover and his
obsession with the "masters of deceit", the Puerto Rican
independence movement was not to be stopped - from the massive
resistance against the military draft when hundreds of young men
burned their draft cards in Lares, to the massive confrontation in
the streets of Rio Piedras, to the armed actions of the FALN, to
the militant worker's strikes on the island, to the resistance
against the military presence in Vieques, to the multiple acts of
affirmation of Puerto Ricaness in the Diaspora to the most recent
acts upholding the Puerto Rican citizenship by hundreds throughout
the island.
Forty year later, we have a flag, an identity, and a nation;
we have a creative people who are constantly redefining our
national character thanks to their steadfastness and determination
of that "I am not sorry" pronounced on March 1, 1954, which save
the national dignity of a people who want to be.
3) Oscar Collazo: Presente! Irvin Flores: Presente! Viva Puerto
Rico Libre!
Greetings Dear Friends,
During the 1970's, when my comrades and I first began our
political-clandestine activities, we witnessed the FALN carry out
many armed actions while demanding independence for the island
nation of Puerto Rico, and the release of the five nationalist
prisoners held in U.S. federal prisons.
Among the armed actions carried out by the Sam Melville-
Jonathan Jackson Unit, in solidarity with the Puerto Rican
Independentistas, were calls for the same objectives. When the
freedom of the five nationalist prisoners was finally won in 1979,
we rejoiced in the victory.
Recently, I have been saddened to find the names of two of
those five fighters in the newspaper obituaries. Saddened that they
have gone from their loved ones, but gladdened in the knowledge
that they lived lives full of honour and passion.
They were the resisters, the activists, the fighters and the
lovers of and for their people. In living life as they did, they
avoided the other death. The living-death of shame and bitterness
and surrender and collaboration. So as we say good-bye to our
companeros, we can sing the song of freedom - with new verses in
their honour, and remember the words in both of their obituaries:
"After his release Mr Collazo resumed his efforts on behalf of
Puerto Rican Independence." After his [release] Mr. Flores moved
back to Puerto Rico and continued to advocate independence as a
member of the Nationalist Party."
There is no better way to say: La Lucha Continua! I stand
accused of being part of the Sam Melville-Jonathan Jackson Unit in
the 1970's and the United Freedom Front in the 1980's. I am proud
of that association and all that it implies.
For the Ohio 7
Tom Manning - 10373-016
Box 1000, USP Marion
Marion, IL
62959 USA
4) "It is a crime to maintain over 20 men and women in prison for
fighting colonialism in Puerto Rico when in fact it is our right
and duty."
The following message was sent by Puerto Rican Prisoner of War
Alberto Rodriguez to an event in support of Prisoners of War and
Political Prisoners in New York City sponsored by the Ad Hoc
Committee to Free Political Prisoners.
Companeros (as):
I very much appreciate this opportunity to share a few minutes
with you all. First I would like to thank the Ad Hoc Committee to
Free Political Prisoners for organizing this wonderful event and
Talisman for performing for us and performing for us and lifting
up our spirits with their beautiful music.
I am one of over 100 Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War
who presently are incarcerated in U.S. prisons all over the
country. We are Puerto Ricans, New Afrikan, white North Americans,
Irish, Native Americans and other nationalities. We suffer daily
the injustice of our imprisonment, unacknowledged by the state as
Political Prisoners and forced to endure barbaric and inhumane
conditions. Each day we have to fight to reaffirm our political
character. This political character is manifested in the study
groups we form, the HIV/AIDS awareness programs we develop, the
tutoring and literacy projects we organize, the Black and Latino
prisoner's organizations created, the art we do and the things we
write. At times our political character is manifested internally
in the thoughts we have, our dreams, hopes and aspirations, or is
our silent resistance to all the inhumanity that surrounds us. We
struggle against odds that only someone who has done hard time can
appreciate. Nevertheless, we never give up, we never quit, because
to stop organizing, to stop creating new programs, to stop trying
to improve the human condition here is to accept defeat and
ultimately moral death.
While we sit inside these prisons the whole world is changing.
We left the streets part of movements which we sacrificed so much
to develop that today are radically different. We prisoners are
struggling to find our place in this new state of affairs.
Nevertheless, the struggle to free Political Prisoners must
continue to occupy a central position in any political project. Any
movements which abandons its prisoners is condemned to failure for
it is a movement which lacks moral integrity.
All over the world political internment is condemned as a
violation of human rights. But not here, not in the U.S. WHY? Here
in the U.S. when someone claims that there are Political Prisoners
they are looked at with incredulity and doubt. The history of the
U.S. for the last 30 years has been characterized by profound
political and social conflicts. It is intolerable that this reality
is denied by the state and its institutions. Part of this denial
is to negate the existence of Political Prisoners. To recognize the
existence of Political Prisoners is to recognize that there have
been and there continues to exist political struggle in this
country. Political Prisoners in U.S. prisons shatters the myth of
social tranquillity and that all political contradictions can be
and are resolved through the electoral process.
To deny the existence of Political Prisoners is to deny that
there ever was a Black Liberation Movement. It is to deny that
there was a mass movement that opposed the Vietnam War. It is to
deny that the U.S. is a colonial power and has colonies like Puerto
Rico and the Virgin Islands. It is to deny that there is a women's
liberation movement which has mobilized a whole generation of women
into political action. It is to deny that the U.S. ever invaded
Grenada, Lebanon or Panama, or waged a dirty war in Central
America. It is to deny that the U.S. government supported apartheid
in South Africa. In fact, to deny the existence of Political
Prisoners is to deny history itself.
It is hypocritical to applaud the release of Nelson Mandela
from prison and the end of apartheid in South Africa while in U.S.
prisons are men and women who fought to end that particularly
despicable system. One cannot honestly denounce U.S. military
intervention and not demand the release from prison of those that
resisted it. One cannot agree with the finding of the Truth
Commission of El Salvador, which clearly placed responsibility for
that country's vicious death squads that murdered thousands of
Salvadorenos on the U.S. and then not demand the release of
Political Prisoners who are behind bars for attacking those U.S.
military institutions that carried out this genocidal policy.
President Clinton and others speak about reconciliation. They
talk about putting behind what they characterize as divisiveness
caused by the civil rights movement and the movement against the
Vietnam War. This cannot even be discussed while there continues
to be members of the Black Panther Party in prison for over 20
years. There are still Native Americans in prison for close to two
decades because they defended their culture and their land rights.
There are white people today who are incarcerated for political
actions directly related to the Vietnam War and the period of
repression that followed it. In every civilized society, the end
of a particular period of struggle and conflict is marked by the
release of political prisoners. But in the U.S. the establishment
wishes to rewrite history and rewrite us out of existence. We must
not allow them to do this.
Recently a so-called plebescite was held in Puerto Rico.
Politicians and pundits in the media proclaimed that colonialism
had won. Not too long ago they would have been performing
rhetorical gymnastics to avoid the use of the word colonialism when
applying it to Puerto Rico. Now it's no big deal. Nevertheless
colonialism is a violation of a whole nation's human rights and no
matter who is doing the violating it is wrong; people have the
right to resist by any means necessary and available. It is a crime
to maintain over 20 men and women in prison for fighting
colonialism in Puerto Rico when in fact it is our right and our
duty.
We are approaching the end of this century with the U.S. as
the world's only superpower. There are no longer any international
challenges to their hegemony over issues of human rights. They are
now in a position to define what is human rights and who is and is
not violating them. Organizations like the United Nations or the
Movement of Non-Aligned Nations which in the past challenged the
U.S. on issues of human rights are today either superfluous to the
"new world order" or clearly in the U.S. camp. It is because of the
lack of any real challenge to the U.S. that the struggle for human
rights here in this country is more important than ever before.
In the United States there is a conspiracy, a conspiracy of
silence. A conspiracy to keep from people the reality that there
are Political Prisoners in U.S. jails. You can contribute to the
destruction of that conspiracy of silence by joining in the
campaign to free Political Prisoners. The task before us is to
expose this conspiracy and tell everyone that there are people in
prison for their political actions and remain there because of
their political beliefs. Neither President Clinton, Vice-President
Gore nor Attorney General Reno should be able to go out in public
and speak out about human rights without being confronted with our
continued imprisonment. The political elite of this country, no
matter whether conservative or liberal, must be confronted with our
reality whenever they dare to pontificate self-righteously about
human rights.
Events like tonight's concert are part of the people's attempt
to break the government's conspiracy of silence. We want everyone
to contribute to this project. The campaign to free political
prisoners belongs to everyone who supports human rights and feels
that they are precious enough to struggle for. We hope the proceeds
of tonight's concert will lead top future projects to make aware
ever larger numbers of people about the issue of human rights and
political prisoners. We want you all to join this effort.
Again, thank you for this opportunity to speak directly to
you all. I feel as if a little of me has escaped this dungeon to
be with you. Tonight myself and all the Political Prisoners are
with you all to enjoy the music, share the camaraderie and feel
the love...
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6) How Much Longer Must We Wait
by Edwin Cortes - Puerto Rican Prisoner of War
After 11 years of isolation and separation from family and
friends, Alejandrina Torres and myself have been transferred closer
to our loved ones. Alex is now in Connecticut, closer to her
mother. I am 9 hours closer to my family who resides in Chicago.
Isolation, however, continues for the other Puerto Rican Prisoners
of War and Political Prisoners.
On February 17, 1994 I was informed by Correctional Staff to
report to R&D for a transfer. When I reported to R&D I was told by
the officer in charge to pack my property and return immediately.
When I inquired about my destination, he informed me that it could
not be revealed.
I was suspicious and worried that once again I was receiving
a punitive transfer, this time to Florence, Colorado. Other
prisoners who had reported to R&D were informed that their
designation was Florence. When I made inquiries with the Associate
Warden of Programs, Mr. McKeley, Case Manager, Mr. Gorski and Unit
Manager, Mr. Byrant, they informed me that I was not to be
transferred to Florence but that my destination could not be
revealed.
My apprehension continued throughout the day thinking about
the prison complex in Florence which is a reality for any male
political prisoner. Florence was built on a uranium toxic waste
dump and the complex contains the new super max which will replace
the infamous Marion Control Unit. This unit will keep a prisoner
locked down 22.5 hours a day. The most sophisticated electronic and
computerized gadgetry will eliminate virtually all human contact
between correctional staff and prisoners.
Puerto Rican Prisoner of War, Oscar Lopez Rivera, who has
already endured eight years at the Marion Control Unit was recently
informed that he would be transferred to Florence. Oscar, along
with the other prisoners at Marion, has been forced to drink from
a water supply contaminated with PCBs and mercury. He will be
confronted with similar health hazards due to the uranium pollution
at Florence. Unless national and international pressure is
mobilized to support Oscar's transfer to a general population
penitentiary, he confronts similar circumstances which contributed
to the death of Puerto Rico's great teacher, Don Pedro Albizu
Campos whose declarations of radiation exposure have been revealed
to be true.
On February 18, 1994, I was awakened by guards at 4:00am. At
5:30am I reported to R&D where I was strip-searched, given a new
set of clothing, body chained, handcuffed with a black box (which
limits hand movements) and shackled for a trip to Terre Haute,
Indiana. Upon boarding the BOP bus, I felt great emotional relief.
My only regrets at leaving the Leavenworth concentration camp was
the five great comrades I had the honour to meet: Leonard Peltier,
a warrior from the American Indian Movement; Sundiata Acoli, Black
Liberation Army; Abdul Aziz, Virgin Island Five; Fawaz Yunis,
Lebanese Hezbollah Movement; and Jaan Laaman, North American anti-
imperialist. Three of these comrades have served nearly two decades
of imprisonment and much work is needed to obtain their release.
While en route to Terre Haute, I kept thinking of the many
years Andres Figueroa Cordero, Irvin Flores, Rafael Cancel Miranda
and Oscar Collazo spent incarcerated at USP Leavenworth. Between
dreams and sudden awake states, I pondered the lack of a cohesive
ideology, program and practice within the Puerto Rican independence
movement, particularly since the release of the Five Nationalists
by President Jimmy Carter in September, 1979. Especially disturbing
has been the low ebb of the revolutionary armed clandestine
movement since the capture of the ten Puerto Rican Prisoners of War
on that damned day of April 4, 1980 in Evanston, IL.
Understandably, all movements for national and social liberation
have their ebbs and flows, the Puerto Rican independence movement
being no exception. The results of the so-called plebescite in
Puerto Rico in November, 1993 are indicative of the tasks and
challenges awaiting the independence movement.
International developments in other Third World countries have
contributed to the disarray and confusion among revolutionary and
progressive forces. The bourgeois mass media and revolutionary
forces have parroted the conception that the armed struggle is no
longer a viable method towards achieving national independence and
socialism. Negotiations have been applauded and emulated as the
best arena of struggle, the most recent examples cited being the
Farabundo Marti Liberation Front (FMLN) in El Salvador, the African
National Congress (ANC) in South Africa, and the Palestinian
Liberation Organization (PLO). The former Soviet Union, Angola, and
Eastern Europe have been elevated as evidence of the dismal failure
of socialism as an alternative political, social, and economic
system.
We must analyze, however, the positive aspects of other
struggles such as the victorious armed revolution in Eritea. The
socialist projects of Cuba, North Korea and Vietnam must also be
protected. The armed movements and growing popular guerrilla
insurgencies are still thriving in many places including East
Timor, Peru and Chiapas, Mexico.
The Puerto Rican independence movement, particularly its
revolutionary organizations, must undergo a complete metamorphosis.
Dialogues that embrace all sectors of Puerto Rican society must be
initiated. Its analysis of the current strategies it will utilize
to achieve national independence and socialism must be made public.
The campaign to free all Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War
must be addressed and prioritized.
My reflections of the state of our just and noble cause were
temporarily suspended when suddenly awakened by the abrupt stop of
the bus in front of USP Terre Haute. I was immediately confronted
with the reality of prison life, but I had gained a renewed sense
of zeal, struggle and fortitude knowing I was closer to my family
and community in Chicago. Once again, I was escorted to R&D, where
the same etiquette was repeated. At approximately 5:30pm I was
allowed into general population.
When admitted into general population, a newly transferred
prisoners has only the clothes on his back and no property. A sense
of prison solidarity begins, in a limited sense, when offered the
most basic necessities such as soap, toothpaste, shower shoes,
etc., by other prisoners. Communications is also difficult due
primarily to the new computerized telephone system which requires
a telephone list limited to 20 persons, including attorneys, that
must be approved by the counsellor and processed by another
administrative unit.
On Tuesday, February 22, 1994 I was informed by an Afro-
American prisoner that Oscar Collazo had died. Completely taken
aback, I inquired about the source of his information. He handed
me a copy of USA Today dated February 21, 1994 which stated -
"Nationalist Oscar Collazo...died of a stroke." Although I was
aware of the gravity of Oscar's condition through conversations
with his daughter Carmen Zoraida, who I had the honour of meeting
and working with during the Campaign to Free the Nationalists in
the 70's. A sense of rage, hatred and powerlessness sent shivers
through my body thinking of the great deeds and tragic death of
this great man.
After being incarcerated by 29 years for the "crime" of
struggling against the cruel and inhumane system of colonialism
imposed on Puerto Rico by military force and psychological warfare,
there is no doubt that the ones responsible for Oscar's death is
the United States government. Instead of the United States
utilizing the occasion of Oscar and the other Nationalists freedom
to initiate a process of decolonization, as the hated white rulers
of apartheid in South Africa carried out upon Nelson Mandela's
release, Oscar has died unable to have his dream of a free and
sovereign Puerto Rico fulfilled.
We would cry for the death of Oscar, but our tears, sweat and
blood have been spilled in Puerto Rico for 500 years in our quest
for freedom. How much longer must we wait? The valiant and noble
Oscar would not want eulogies, his death being a call for every
Puerto Rican to awaken and with their hands, hearts and minds
liberate their nation. On November 20, 1993, Ofensiva '92 submitted
a formal application for amnesty to President Clinton requesting
the unconditional release of all Puerto Rican Prisoners of War and
Political Prisoners. The best homage rendered to Oscar would be the
active support and participation of every Puerto Rican regardless
of geography, religious or political persuasion in this campaign
for our freedom.
Today many Puerto Rican patriots who struggle for independence
have endured almost 14 years of imprisonment, following the armed
tradition of resistance to U.S. colonialism. This armed resistance,
in the very metropolis, was paved by none other than Oscar Collazo
and Griselio Torresola on November 1, 1950 with their heroic attack
on the Blair House (temporary residence of President Truman). This
armed attack formed the basis in the 1960's for a new struggle for
independence inside the borders of the United States which is
embodied by the Puerto Rican patriots imprisoned today.
On Saturday, February 26, 1994, I addressed an event sponsored
by the prison branch of the NAACP to commemorate "African History
Month" which was attended by approximately 300 prisoners. I
requested one minute of silence to honour Oscar and the martyrs of
Chiapas, Mexico, thereby extending our condolences to Oscar's
family.
Even though, after nearly a year of struggle, I have been
transferred closer to my family, the harassment against my person
continues. On February 28, 1994, my youngest sister Magdalena was
denied the right to visit with me. In spite of almost 11 years of
incarceration the BOP still questions my sister and other immediate
family's authenticity. Visiting forms must be sent to all my
brothers, sisters and daughter. I was informed that my ceramic
materials and paints would be sent home due to lack of storage
space. I am presently on the waiting list for ceramics.
I would like to thank everyone who participated in the
campaign for by re-designation to Terre Haute. Your active support
has situated me 3.5 hours from my family and community in Chicago.
Special thanks to Steven Katsineris and Labour Senator John
Devereax from Australia whose letters impacted the administration
at Leavenworth.
It is my hope that my next plane or bus ride will be the
result of the campaign for our unconditional release carried out
by Ofensiva '92 and the National Committee to Free Puerto Rican
Prisoners of War and Political Prisoners.
Editor's Note: Edwin's phone list has recently been approved.
However, family members still await approval to visit.
7) Isabel Rosado Gallery
Featuring:
* Art Exhibitions by and about POW's and Political Prisoners
* Arts and Crafts from Puerto Rico
* Artist-Made T-shirts and Jewelry
* Cassettes and CD's
* Books, Magazines & Journals
* Literature and Displays about the Puerto Rican POW's and
Political Prisoners
1112 N. California, Chicago, IL, 60622
Tel: (312) 278 1633
A Project of the National Committee To Free Puerto Rican Prisoners
Of War and Political Prisoners
8) In Our Eyes, Our Fathers Are Heroes...
Our names are Noemi Cortes and Yazmin Rodriguez. We are the
daughters of two Puerto Rican Prisoners of War: Edwin Cortes and
Alberto Rodriguez. They each received 35 year prison sentences for
seditious conspiracy (conspiring to overthrow the government of the
United States.)
During their trial, they were held at the Metropolitan
Correctional Centre in Chicago. We were five years old at the time
and we had to see our fathers in handcuffs. We didn't even
understand why. Visits were scheduled, timed, and always watched
by guards, and as the trial came to an end, we saw less and less
of our fathers. After the sentencing, our fathers were transferred
to a federal penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
Since then, our younger brothers and us have been raised by
our mothers. It was hard accepting the fact that our fathers were
now gone. For awhile, all we saw was our mothers crying; we thought
that they were crying because of the death of our pets. Finally
when our mothers were able to speak to us about our fathers, we
realized why they were crying. Growing up without fathers was very
difficult. We grew up around everyone having both parents,
celebrating Fathers Day, and talking about how horrible it was not
to have them around. But for us, we always wanted them around.
It was not until we got older that we found out the real
reason for the arrest of our fathers. This was also when we began
to find out the problems that exist between Puerto Rico and the
United States. They were fighting for a cause, a strong and
worthwhile cause. In our eyes, our fathers are heroes. Just like
the heroes in history books that fought for the separation of the
13 colonies from British rule which later became known as the
United States.
Our fathers will not be released until we are about 20 or 30
years old. They were unable to attend our eighth grade graduation
and if they serve the full 35 year sentences they were given, they
will also miss our high school graduation. They will not be there
when we start dating. They will not be able to give us away at our
weddings or when we want to go out with some friends. They have
missed many important parts of our lives and will continue to do
so. Why? Because they fought for what they believed in. Something
people have been doing since the beginning of time and have been
immortalized for doing so.
We miss our fathers. And even though we have grown up without
them, we love them both very much. Nobody can take their place in
our hearts, no matter was is said about them. They have earned and
will always have our respect. We forgave them for leaving us and
will wait with hope and admiration for their return. Unfortunately,
we are not the only children without parents. There are many others
who have parents in jail for this cause. We hope that people will
understand the hardships and help us in our struggle for their
release and the independence of Puerto Rico.
9) More Than Fourteen Years In Prison!
Alberto Rodriguez #92150-024(B-3)
Ricardo Jimenez #88967-024(A-2)
P.O. Box 1000
Lewisburg, PA
17837 USA
Elizam Escobar #88969-024
FCI Colorado Two
P.O. Box 1500
El Reno, OK
73036 USA
Oscar Lopez Rivera #87651-024
P.O. Box 1000
Marion, IL
62959 USA
Dylcia Pagan #88971-024
Ida Luiz Rodriguez #88973-024
Carmen Valentin #88974-024
5701 8th Street, Camp Parks
Dublin, CA
94568 USA
Norman Ramirez Talavera #03171-069
P.O. Box 1000
Petersburg, VA
23804-1000 USA
Roberto Jose Maldonado #03588-069
Federal Medical Facility
3150 Horton Road
Fort Worth, TX
76119 USA
Luis Rosa #N02743
Box 711
Menard, IL
62259 USA
Carlos Alberto Torres #88976-024
P.O. Box 1000
Oxford, WI
53952 USA
Juan Segarra Palmer #15357-077
USP Atlanta
601 McDonough Blvd. SE
Atlanta, GA
30315 USA
Antonio Camacho Negron #88968-024
U.S. Penitentiary Allenwood
White Deer, PA
17887 USA
Adolfo Matos Antongiorgi #88968-024
3901 Klein Blvd. (Unit J)
Lompoc, CA
93436 USA
Alicia Rodriguez #N07157
P.O. Box 5007
Dwight, IL
60420 USA
Alejandrina Torres #92152-024
FCI Danbury
Pembroke Station
Danbury, CT
06811 USA
10) An Interview with Luis Nieves Falcon (Ofensiva '92)
"...most of the prisoners are what international legal authorities
call anti-colonial combatants... And according to the UN
resolution, they espouse all means available in order to get
independence for Puerto Rico..."
The following is an excerpt of an interview conducted through the
Peace and Justice Network Radio Program with members of the
National Committee, Juan Rivera and Jan Susler.
Juan Rivera: Your are currently saving as coordinator of Ofensiva
'92, a campaign for the release of Puerto Rican men and women in
prison in the United States for their activities in support of
Puerto Rican independence. Can you tell us what the campaign is?
Luis Nieves Falcon: Well, first of all, I would like to clarify
that besides myself their are two other colleagues who are
coordinating the campaign. One is Rita Zengotita, an known feminist
and human rights activist in Puerto Rico, and the other is Rafael
Cancel Miranda, a former political prisoner. So the three of us
coordinate the campaign. Ofensive '92 is a human rights
organization who is solely devoted to work for the liberation of
the Puerto Rican Prisoners of War and Political Prisoners who have
been incarcerated with gross violations of their human rights. Our
aim is to see that they get out of jail as soon as possible.
Jan Susler: Professor Nieves Falcon, can you tell us... why they
are in prison, what have they been convicted of, and what were
there sentences?
LNF: Well, most of the prisoners have been convicted for seditious
conspiracy, which is a charge of conspiring to overthrow the U.S.
government. That is, most of the prisoners are what international
legal authorities call anti-colonial combatants. They favour the
self-determination and independence for Puerto Rico. And according
to the UN resolution, they espouse all means available in order to
get independence for Puerto Rico...
JS: [C]ould you tell us how long they have been sentenced to
prison?
LNF: Their sentences vary from around 50 years to life, and they
are disproportionate sentences compared to those imposed on persons
who have committed similar offenses. And the disproportionate
sentencing only shows that... they were imposed on people that were
fighting for the independence of Puerto Rico, that they were
imposed on political prisoners and not common prisoners.
JS: And how long have the prisoners been in prison in the United
States?
LNF: The prisoners have been already 14 years, 14 years in jail,
most of them.
JR: ...[I]n the 1960's and 70's, the UN declared that colonialism
was a crime, that colonialism violated international law, and that
colonized people had the fight to fight colonialism by any and all
means at their disposal. Why do you think the United States refuses
to comply with this international law?
LNF: ...[T]he truth is that Puerto Rico is not only a colony of the
United States, it's the oldest colony, I'd say in the hemisphere...
the contradiction is that this country, that got its liberation
through armed struggle, that supposedly defends causes for
liberation in the world, refuses consistently and systematically
to allow Puerto Rican people to exercise their right to self-
determination. But more than that, refuses to listen to the demands
of a world body like the United Nations Decolonization Committee,
to start proceedings for self-determination and independence for
its colony in Puerto Rico.
JS: But why Puerto Rico? Why is Puerto Rico so important? And why
are these prisoners who are fighting for self-determination, who
are in prison for, as you said, the same struggle that the United
States waged to free itself from England, why will the United
States hold on to Puerto Rico at all costs, including violation of
international law?
LNF: ...Puerto Rico is a military bastion for the U.S. Let's not
forget that during the Cold War, Puerto Rico was very important in
the military strategy of the US. The only intercontinental missile
base outside the US is in Puerto Rico...[P]uerto Rico has been used
as a spring board for the U.S. organized invasions against Latin
American countries. For example, it was from Puerto Rico that came
out the invasion of the Dominican Republic in 1965. It was from
Puerto Rico that came the invasion of Grenada. It was from Puerto
Rico that came the invasion of Panama. So, in a sense, Puerto Rico
is a military bastion that the U.S. military, particularly, feels
that they shouldn't lose for whatever future war activities might
emerge. Because the interesting thing about the mentality of the
military and I don't know if you could generalize about other
militaries of other countries of the world, is that many of the
justifications for the continuing, continuing possession of Puerto
Rico isn't the present situation, [but] what the future situation
might be. So under those terms, it seems that there is no solution
for Puerto Rico, because as long as the military thinks that there
might be an eventual war where Puerto Rico might eventually be
needed, then the right of self-determination of Puerto Rico is
really foreclosed.
JS: The U.S. had pressured many governments around the world to
deal with their issues about political prisoners in their
countries, such as Nelson Mandela. What is the difference between
a Nelson Mandela and a Puerto Rican Prisoner of War?
LNF: ...[T]he history of liberation in the world has told us that
generally a terrorist becomes a prime minister when the country is
liberated. It has not only been the case with Nelson Mandela. It
was also with Israel. Everybody knows that Rabin was a noted
terrorist according to the English and the North Americans. Nelson
Mandela was a terrorist until very recently. And so was Arafat, who
has now been greeted in the White House... Under any rational legal
jurisdictional criteria, the Puerto Rican Political Prisoners are
not common criminals. They are not terrorists. They are not
traitors. They are anti-colonial combatants. They are people that
are fighting for the freedom of their country... [I]t happens,
coincidentally, that the oppressor, the dominating country in this
case, is the United States, which at the moment is one of the most
powerful economic and political countries in this modern scenario.
JR: What are the campaign's expectations in terms of the political
relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico? Is there
a relationship between the campaign and the current "plebescite"
which supported the current political status?
LNF: Ofensiva '92 doesn't take sides on the political issue of
Puerto Rico. Individual members of the directorate, of the board,
might feel one way or the other, but one of the efforts of the
campaign is to get broad support, broad ideological support for
the prisoners, either from more progressive parties, more from
conservative parties, either from the Popular Party which is a
party for the status quo, form the Statehood Party, from the
Independence Party. We try to get broad support from everybody,
because I think that the important thing is first, these prisoners
are Puerto Rican prisoners, second, that they didn't commit crimes
in order to profit themselves like some common criminals do, and
third, that they are really in prison because they defend an
ideological position. They are in prison because they believe in
independence for Puerto Rico.
JS: What do you think it will take to get the prisoners out?
LNF: Well, I feel that among other things, we'll need more
international pressure. And at the same time, I think that we need
more people of conscience in the United States that come to terms
with the reality of oppression of their country and decide to take
sides with justice. And justice undoubtedly is on the side of these
prisoners who are unfairly, unfairly in jail because of their
political affiliation.
JR: How can people in the United States learn more or become
involved in the campaign?
LNF: In the United States we have various committees which work
towards the liberation of the Puerto Rican political prisoners.
One of these committees is in Chicago. We also have a committee in
Puerto Rico to which anyone can write. Its: Ofensiva '92, Post
Office Box 2180, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, 00928, USA... but I feel
the important thing is to work in any measure because the smallest
things can help. There is nothing too small for the liberation of
Puerto Rico; it's a telephone call to the President, to the
Secretary of State, to the Attorney General; it's a lecture; it's
a religious service; it's a picket; it's a manifestation; it's a
concert. So all activities imaginable can be conducted on behalf
of the these patriots, these women and men whose only sin, whose
only crime has been the love for their country, Puerto Rico, and
their desire that Puerto Rico exercise its right for self-
determination and independence.
JS: Professor Nieves Falcon... you are a retired university
professor, you had a full career, you had an active political life.
Why have you chosen to spend you retirement coordinating this
campaign?
LNF: Well, in fact, I retired early because I wanted to devote my
energies to this struggle because I feel that it's the
responsibility of all Puerto Ricans and all people of justice to
be identified with the oppressed, with the oppressed people, and
because I really and honestly believed that i's an atrocious thing
being committed by the United States. And someone has to work on
it. So I decided to retire early and devote my energies to this
cause which I believe at the moment, in terms of the Puerto Rican
nation, is one of the most important causes on our agenda.
JR: Dr. Falcon, is there a particular request that you would like
to make to our listeners?
LNF: ...[H]istorically it has been my experience that just causes
generally find support among persons of conscience in American
society. At the moment we have supporting us religious groups,
lawyers, human rights activists, feminists, and common people.
Because, in a sense, the injustice of this oppression by the United
States, who supposedly is a champion of democracy, brings a ring
into the people of the United States. So the only thing that I
would like to say to our listeners is that in Puerto Rico we would
love that you join forces with us. That you join hands with us in
this request for the liberation of these men and women, these 19
men and women, some of them mothers, some of them grandfathers,
whose only, only sin, whose only mistake, according to the American
perspective, according to the administration's perspective, is that
they have been devoted defenders of Puerto Rican independence. We
ask you to join with us in a hearty effort to see that justice
comes once more to the oppressed.
11) ...Thirteen Years Older With No Oscar
by Aracelis Lugo Lopez
How would you feel if you had someone in jail who has not
committed a crime; someone who has been tortured and denied the
most simple things because he has decided to fight for his beliefs?
Someone whose integrity in these beliefs goes beyond being judged
by laws that jeopardize his political struggle? If this is a crime
then all those who are involved in any war are criminals for
fighting for their beliefs, territory and freedom.
My uncle, Oscar Lopez Rivera, has been in jail for
approximately 13 years. He was sentenced to and has actually served
more time than most social criminals. He fought for 2 1/2 years in
the Vietnam War and defended the United States' beliefs, a flag
that wasn't his and was considered a hero. Yet when he fought for
the independence of Puerto Rico, his own cause, he was labelled a
terrorist, persecuted, incarcerated and tortured.
In prison his human rights have been constantly violated. He
has been deprived of everything that is necessary for a person to
keep his mental and physical stability. When I visit him, which is
only about every three or four years due to the fact that he is
incarcerated in the United States and I live in Puerto Rico, I am
put through an entire check-up process only to be able to see him
through a glass and talk to him by phone. He is strip-searched
before and after our visit, even though I am never allowed to touch
or embrace him. In how many ways must a person be punished so that
the institution feels satisfied with their work.
My grandmother just turned 78 years old. I ask myself how she
has survived the torture of having a son first in Vietnam and then
in jail. As the years have gone by, her birthday wish has remained
the same: "I wish to see my son free again before I die." As the
years go by I see here getting older and feel helpless because she
is not able to stop time so that here wish can come true. Many
times I have lived in my mind the moment that my uncle walks into
the house with the same smile that I remember as a child. When I
face reality, I find myself 13 years older with no Oscar.
12) Update
Puerto Rican Prisoner Of War Carlos Alberto Torres Denied Parole
POW Carlos Alberto Torres appeared before the Federal Parole
Board on March 29th. In reaffirming his stance as a Puerto Rican
anti-colonial combatant, Carlos Alberto challenged the Parole Board
to recognize the colonial situation of Puerto Rico and abide by
international law with regards to Prisoners of War. The Parole
Board denied Carlos Alberto's request for parole and informed him
that he would be eligible for parole review again in 15 years.
U.S. Government Holds Ramierez Talavera
After completing his 5 year sentence, Puerto Rican Political
Prisoner Norman Ramierez Talvera was taken to a hearing on April
1st regarding his $50,000 fine. At the hearing, the court
contradicted an earlier ruling declaring Norman and the other
Hartford defendants indigent. The court ruled that if he was
incapable of paying the fine he was to remain in custody, working
the fine off at $1.00 per hour - this roughly translates to another
14 years in prison for Norman. The only other solution that the
court gave Norman at the hearing, which was held in english, with
no translator or lawyer provided, was that his wife sell their
home.
Political Prisoners Appear Before Parole Boards
After spending 22 years in prison, New Afrikan Prisoner of War
Sundiata Acoli, age 57, was denied parole by the Federal Parole
Board. He was told he could apply for parole review in another 20
years. He will have to serve another 10 years before he can go once
again before the parole board. Preparations have begun for the
filing of an administrative appeal. Native American Prisoner of War
Leonard Peltier was also denied parole by the Federal parole Board.
He was told to return for review in another 15 years. For more
information contact: Sundiata Acoli Freedom Campaign, P.O. Box
5538, Manhattanville Station, Harlem, New York, 10027, USA or
phone: (203) 966 9048. Leonard Peltier Support Committee, P.O. Box
583, Lawrence, Kansas, 66044, USA.
Florence Administrative Maximum Control Unit Update
Three of four prisons at the huge complex in Florence,
Colorado have been completed and have housed inmates already. The
Administrative Maximum (AD-MAX) Control Unit has yet to be opened.
Indications are that the unit will open late 1994-early 1995, but
here has yet to be a clear opening date. Many of the POWs and
Political Prisoners, as well as social prisoners, housed in the
Marion Control Unit have already been informed that they will be
sent to Florence. For more information on the AD-MAX contact:
Colorado Coalition to Abolish Control Unit Prisons, P.O. Box 1156,
Boulder, Colorado, 80306-1156, USA.
New Afrikan Political Prisoner Transferred
On March 28th, Mutulu Shakur was transferred from USP
Lewisburg to the Marion Control Unit. We have no news on the
reasoning for this sudden transfer of Dr. Shakur. We fear that the
government will use any reason to begin to transfer Political
Prisoners and POW's to the soon to be opened Florence AD-MAX. Any
such transfers of Political Prisoners cannot go by without the
strongest denunciation! Write to the director of the Bureau of
Prisons (BOP), denouncing Dr. Shakur's transfer and the opening of
the Florence AD-MAX:
Kathleen Hawke - Director
Federal Bureau of Prisons
320 First Street, NW
Washington, DC
20530 USA
Political Prisoners Win PEN Awards
North American Political Prisoner Tom Manning, incarcerated
in the Marion Control Unit, won an honourable mention award in the
1993 Writing Awards for Prisoner of the Poets, Essayists and
Novelists (PEN) American Centre. Also winning awards were North
American Political Prisoners Judy Clark, second place in poetry
and Susan Rosenberg, second place in fiction. Congratulations to
All!
Contact:
National Committee To Free Puerto Rican Prisoners Of War And
Political Prisoners
1112 N. California
Chicago, IL
60622 USA
