Libertad - Spring 1994 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... 5) Book Ad: Editorial El Coqui Publishers, Inc. Presents: Problemas De Interpretacion Y Conocimiento En La Filosofia Europea by Juilo Rosado Ayala "A book of high philosophical caliber..." - Dr. Carlos Gabler, Associate President Chicago College of Industrial Engineering Available Soon! Metodo de Alto Relieve en Cobre y Mas: Hecho entre Rejas y Alambrados by Adolfo Matos Antongiorgi Fourteen Years of Imprisonment: A Lifetime of Resistance edited by Luis Rosa 1671 N. Claremont St., Chicago, IL, 60647 USA Tel: (312) 342 8027 Fax: (312) 342 6609 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 Hours: Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri: 1:00-5:00, Saturday 11:00-4:00 (Or by appointment) 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 Tel: (312) 278 1633