HOT NEWS. .  

PUERTO RICO IN THE MILLENIUM
ORGANIZING FOR FREEDOM
SIX CLASSES AS A SERIES - ALSO EACH CLASS STANDS ON ITS OWN

Opens: Saturday, February 26, 2000, 6-9 pm with Ronald Fernandez giving an historical perspective on Imperialism, Colonialism and Repression.

Ronald Fernandez is a Professor of Sociology in the Caribbean Studies Center at Central Connecticut State University and an eloquent speaker on the political and economic history of Puerto Rico. Fernandez has published ten books including, " The Disenchanted Island", and, " Prisoners of Colonialism: The Struggle for Justice in Puerto Rico", both widely regarded as a seminal analysis of the century-long relationship between the U.S. and Puerto Rico and its political prisoners. He also provides insights on Caribbean migration to the U.S. and the economic development of the Caribbean as a region in the global economy.

Sliding Scale: $6, $8 or $10

Class : Puerto Rico in the Millennium / Organizing for Freedom

February 26, 2000, 6 - 9 pm: Professor Ronald Fernandez from Central Connecticut State University will give a historical perspective on Puerto Rico in the Millennium / Imperialism, Colonialism and Repression . Follow-up classes will be held every Thursday evening, March 2, 9,16, 23, 30 - 5:30 to 7:30. Invited speakers will be: Frank Velgara, Carlos Alicea, Vanessa Ramos, Gloria Quinones and videos covering the movement for de-colonization of Puerto Rico, Vieques, UN resolution 1514, and the freedom of the 6 remaining PR Political Prisoners . The goal of the class is to give the student a broad view of the colonial situation of Puerto Rico and the organizing for freedom . Recommended Readings: Prisoners of Colonialism: The Struggle for Justice in Puerto Rico by Ronald Fernandez. Also, The Puerto Rican Movement by Andres Torres and Jose Velazquez. The class will be facilitated by Esperanza Martell and Vivian Colon from Pro Libertad: The Amnesty Campaign to Free the Puerto Rican Political Prisoners.

You are welcome to come to all the classes or to one. Each class will stand on its own.

Sliding Scale: $35 - $55, or each class $6-$10

Location: The Brecht Forum, 122 West 27th Street, between 6 and 7th Ave. 10th floor

To register for the class and to obtain books call: (212) 927-9065 or (201) 435-3244

The Republican Right denounced the release of the 11 Puerto Rican Patriots calling them criminals and terrorists.  The real criminals and terrorists hide in the halls of government  and military of the U.S.   Using state terrorism they invaded and colonized the island of Puerto Rico in 1898. They have been in violation of international law since the UN declared colonialism a crime. IT IS TIME TO STAND UP AND POINT OUT WHO THE REAL TERRORISTS ARE.

CALL-TO-ACTION!!!

December 14, 1999, marks the 39th anniversary of the adoption of United Nations Resolution 1514—Declaration On The Granting Of Independence To Colonial Countries And Peoples. This resolution was adopted on December 14, 1960. The UN later proclaimed the 1990s as "the decade to eradicate colonialism."

LET'S JOIN FORCES AND REMIND THE UN ABOUT THEIR BROKEN PROMISE!

Groups & organizations interested in participating:

718-601-4751, 917-449-5412, 201-435-3244, 212-927-9065, or coquilibre@aol.com

A Camera-ready flyer can be made available to to participating organizations for photocopying with their name added to ensure an organized "coalition effort" look to this campaign. This flyer contains the the date and rally location on the front and the entire text from Resolution 1514 on the back. Just e-mail coquilibre@aol.com with contact info, participating organization's name & desired place of mailing to receive organizer's media packet, that will include the "personalized" flyer. 

 MESSAGE FROM CARLOS ALBERTO TORRES
October 1999

Along with the Prolibertad document, I received from Nazomi her statement at the senate hearing along with related letters (to B. Clinton) and statements from the UCC. Its no surprise that the hearings were just a one side grand stand for the right, an opportunity to bash B. Clinton. When Nazomi visited she was clear in explaining just how vehementand rabid were the attacks against the indulto. My view was that we needed to respond tic for tac. But I guess her feeling was that we never would have been heard, or given access. I know that some feel in the end, this too will pass. But is it fair to our cause to not respond or challenge the easy impressions left by the one sided, secterian media blitz? The arguments presented in the Prolibertad and Nazomi and the church’s documents are rational and objective. So if the issue is out there, exposed, in the open, although "unpopular" (to some) can’t we now approach all those politicians, all those societal agencies who were so willing to accept one version and challenge this "one sidedness" from a community point of view. To speak to them as a community. There are some that will not see it but one way, and its not to them that we should g to, i.e. the Mayor’s office, Safir’s office, Freeh’s office... we should be open, unabashed, unrelenting and proud (and loud and significant). In our demonstrations of support for the PRPPs, for Vieques and all issues that concern us. Without a doubt our strength lies in our community’s support, here and on the Island. Our main effort, our principal work should always be reaching out to our community here and in Puerto Rico.

Also during Nozomi’s visit I suggested to her that she should attempt to develop her contact and relation with Prolibertad. I think the way things have worked out leave little room for doubt that it is ultimately to our advantage to learn to work together. Given the stakes, "tribal jealousies" are irrelevent. I think that the Island has a unique focus and style of work. This is true for you guys in New York, and for Chicago as well. The goals coincide, the how to is difficult. I can’t help thinking that knowing all that went into the campaign, and yet realizing only a partial victory, means that the effort needed now must be greater, more profound than what come before. So we continue building on the foundation of years previous.

JOSE SOLIS JORDAN IS IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT!!FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW;
JOSE SOLIS JORDAN IS THE MOST RECENT VICTIM OF THE GOVERNMENT'S
COINTELPRO-LIKE MANUEVERS AGAINST THE PUERTO RICAN INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT!!

Puerto Rican Political prisoner Jose Solis Jordan has been transfered to
Coleman, Florida. He has been put in solitary confinement and has been
shackled both in the ankles and wrists!!

He is only being allowed 1 five minute phone call every 15 days and only in
the presence of two guards!! he could be held in these conditions a matter,
of days, weeks, months or years!!

We need to make the prison officials know that we are watching and that
Solis is not alone!!

As of today, his regular lawyer is away and the prison officials are not
responding to assistants from Solis' lawyers office. IT IS URGENT THAT WE
BEGIN TO CALL, FAX AND WRITE TO THE ADMINISTRATION AT FCI COLEMAN (LOW)!!
WE MUST DEMAND THE END OF THIS HORRIBLE AND OPPRESSIVE TREATMENT OF OUR
BROTHER JOSE SOLIS JORDAN!!

TO WRITE FCI COLEMAN (LOW)
FCI COLEMAN (LOW)
868 NE 54TH TERRACE
COLEMAN, FL 33521-8999

TO TELEPHONE 352-330-3100
TO FAX THE FCI 352-330-0259

WRITE TO JOSE SOLIS JORDAN #081-21-024 at the above address

FREE THE PUERTO RICAN POLTICAL PRISONERS!!
FREE MUMIA ABU JAMAL!!
FUERA LA MARINA DE VIEQUES!!
STOP POLICE BRUTALITY!!

ORGANIZING STRATEGY MEETING
TO FREE THE REMAINING 6 POLITICAL PRISONERS
&
TO SUPPORT THOSE THAT ARE FREE
OCTOBER 9, 1999
12 Noon - 6 pm
Hunter College
West Building, Room 208
68th & Lexington Ave, Manhattan

Eleven of the Puerto Rican political prisoners were released on Friday, September 10, 1999. Nine of them went to Puerto Rico and two went to Chicago.  Juan Segarra Palmer who has already served 14 years of his 55 year sentence will serve an additional 5 years. Juan we continue at your side and to work for your release.

The Prolibertad Amnesty Campaign joins hands and hearts with the freed patriots, their families and friends, the Puerto Rican community in the U.S. and the people of Puerto Rico in welcoming our brothers and sisters home

BIENVENIDOS!- WELCOME HOME!
Elizam Escobar         Luis Rosa         Ricardo Jimenez
                          Carmen Valentin        Adolfo Matos      Edwin Cortes                            
                          Dylcia Pagan         Alberto Rodriguez      Alicia Rodriguez                     
Alejandrina Torres     Ida Luz Rodriguez                     

WE WILL BRING YOU HOME WITH OUR LOVE
AND DETERMINATION
Carlos Alberto Torres       Antonia Camacho     Oscar Lopez Rivera
Juan Segarra Palmer    Jose Solis Jordan

YOU ARE ALWAYS ON OUR MINDS AND IN OUR HEARTS
Haydee Beltran

The members and friends of the Prolibertad Amnesty Campaign take this opportunity to re-dedicate ourselves to the freedom of the remaining Puerto Rican political prisoners and prisoners of war. This is a time for rejoicing alongside those returning to our community. It is a time to call for a redoubling of our efforts to obtain freedom for those in jail. It is a time to provide financial, moral, emotional and political support for these companeros and companeras. 

Today, we make a call to all freedom loving people to come to the organizing conference to rally at the side of those who came home by actively strategizing and working actively to insure:

1. That the parole process is monitored by the community and the freedom movement in order to address any violations of the constitutional, political, and human rights of these men and women. We must remain ever vigilant!
2. That they have our unconditional support in their process of re-integration to our community by providing moral, political and financial support during this critical time;
3. That we say presente! In our homecoming activities as many communities who have worked for and supported their release celebrage this victory.

BRING OUR REMAINING PATRIOTS HOME
Come strategize to build international support and pressure on the White House, especially in the coming year given the November 2000 national elections, international support and intensified grassroots campaign is key.

                THE COLONIZER PRESS IS AT IT AGAIN,
                                  BUT THE STANDARDS HAVE DROPPED EVEN LOWER

Newsweek reports that the Bureau of Prisons has secret tapes where the prisoners   say that "as soon as they get out of there, they were going to return to violence".  This story was picked up by the usual suspects Daily News and the NY Post. It would be laughable if it was not so serious.  The 2 latter gave one small paragraph to mention the march in PR where thousands rallied for release of their patriots. Please take a look at 'What You Can Do" further down on this page - get involved - write to these rags and express your opinion, bombard them!!

Juan Figueroa, Puerto Rican Legal Defense Fund, will be on Crossfire (CNN @ 7:30pm) and Ollie North's program on MNBC at 6:30pm tonight. Please watch and if possible tape it.   Please stay posted and periodically check out the Calendar of Events so you can get involved with what we are planning.
                                                                           

                                                                             TRUE FREEDOM
                                                                   NOT MORE COLONIALISM

President Clinton disregarded the request for (unconditional amnesty of all the Puerto Rican political prisoners); of thousands and thousands of Puerto Rican people, and others; Nobel Prize Laureates; Puerto Rican and Afro-American politicians of his own Democratic Party; cross denominational religious leaders, and national and international figures, when on August 11, 1999 he gave parole with all its ugly restrictions to only 11 of the 15 Puerto Rican political prisoners. This contradictory act shows the continuing colonial attitude and treatment towards the Puerto Rican people by the U.S. government and their commander in chief. If the government really considers the prisoners criminals, as parole would indicate, the Parole Commission would have been the department to give it. The Parole Commission denied parole to four of the prisoners as recently as four years ago. The fact the president became involved with their cases clearly shows his recognition and acceptance of the political nature of their cases, and that amnesty in its true sense should have been given. The U.S. government can never be trusted to sincerely address the status of the island, or the Navy in Vieques, or any issue affecting Puerto Ricans as long as the prisoners are treated as criminals. We must help the president; his candidate for president and New York senator, Al Gore and Hillary Clinton, respectively, throw off their colonizer mantel and

                                                               FREE ALL
                               THE PUERTO RICAN POLITICAL PRISONERS
                                                   UNCONDITIONALLY!!!!!

Since the announcement, the prisoners were finally allowed discussion amongst themselves through a conference call. Their lawyer will now visit them in their respective prisons, so a decision can be made. It is anticipated that a decision will be made towards the end of September. We renew our commitment to support the prisoners in their decisions. We will honor, celebrate, party and nurture those that come out, and fight like hell to free the remaining ones and remove the conditions.

                                                           WHAT YOU CAN DO!!!

-Organize a Freedom Walk, Action, or Mass in your community or church and ask your elected official to participate like Senator Olga Mendez and NY City Councillor Margarita Lopez did.

-Check out the web-site & join our e-mail list to keep updated on events & happenings 

As we are called upon to speak to the press or as we write letters to the editor or contact our local press, it is important that we understand all the issues that are being raised so that we can be well informed when we respond: Edwin Pagan submitted the document below, so we can clearly see it is the US that was and is in violational of international law first and foremost.

Below is 1960 UN Resolution 1514 (DECLARATION ON THE GRANTING OF INDEPENDENCE
T0 COLONIAL
COUNTRIES AND PEOPLES). It's content is applicable as a counterpoint to both
the Puerto Rican POW and Vieques struggles. The U.S. government contradicts
every resolution point in the document--AMAZING! Please pass it on to all
our supporters.

Edwin Pagan
ProLibertad

Complete Unconditional Amnesty Now !!!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----

Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on
14th of December 1960 (resolution 1514 (XV)

DECLARATION ON THE GRANTING OF INDEPENDENCE T0 COLONIAL
COUNTRIES AND PEOPLES

The General Assembly,

Mindful of the determination proclaimed by the peoples of
the world in the Charter of the United Nations to reaffirm faith in
fundamental
human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in
the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small and
to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Conscience of the need for the creation of conditions of sta-bility
and well-being and peaceful and friendly relations based on respect
for the principles of equal rights and self-determination of all
peoples, and of universal respect for, and observance of, human rights
and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex,
language or religion,

Recognizing the passionate yearning for freedom in all dependent
peoples and the decisive role of such peoples in the attainment
of their independence,

Aware of the increasing conflicts resulting from the denial of
or impediments in the way of the freedom of such peoples, which
constitutes serious threat to world peace,

Considering the important role of the United Nations in assisting
the movement for independence in trust and non-self-governing
territories,

Recognizing that the peoples of the world ardently desire
the end desire the end of colonialism in all its manifestations,

Convinced that the continued existence of colonialism prevents
the development of international economic co-operation, impedes
the social, cultural and economic development of dependent peoples
and militates against the United Nations ideal of universal peace,

Affirming that peoples may, for their own ends, freely dispose
of their natural wealth and resources without prejudice to any
obligations arising out of international economic co-operation, based
upon the principle of mutual benefit, and international law,

Believing that the process of liberation is irresistible and irreversible
and that, in order to avoid serious crisis, an end must be put to
colonialism and practices of segregation and discrimination associated
therewith,

Welcoming the emergence in recent years of a large number
of dependent territories into freedom and independence and recognizing
the increasingly powerful trends toward in such territories which
have not yet attained independence,

Convinced that all peoples have an inalienable right to complete
freedom, the exercise of their sovereignty and the integrity of
their national territory,

Solemnly proclaims the necessity of bringing to a speedy
and unconditional end colonialism in all its forms and manifestations;

And to this end declares that:

1. The subjection of peoples to alien subjection, domination
and exploitation constitutes a denial of fundamental human rights, is
contrary to the Charter of the United Nations and is an impediment to
the promotion of world peace and co-operation.

2. All peoples have the right to self-determination; by virtue
of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue
their economic, social and cultural development.

3. Inadequacy of political, economic, social or educational
preparedness should never serve as a pretext for delaying independence.

4. All armed action or repressive measures of all kinds directed
against dependent peoples shall cease in order to enable them
to exercise peacefully and freely their right to complete independence,
and the integrity of their national territory shall be respected.

5. Immediate steps shall be taken, in trust and non-self-governing
territories or all other territories which have not yet attained
independence, to transfer all powers to the peoples of those territories,
without any conditions or reservations, in accordance with their freely
expressed will and desire without distinction as to race, creed or colour,
in order to enable them to enjoy complete independence and freedom.

6. Any attempt aimed at the partial or total disruption of the
national unity and the territorial integrity of a country is incompatible
with the purposes and principals of the Charter of the United Nations.

7. All States shall observe faithfully and strictly the provisions
of the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and the present Declaration on the basis of equality, non
interference in the internal affairs of all States and respect for the
sovereign rights of all peoples and their territorial integrity.

DPI/ 678- 80- 41551- NOVEMBER 1980- 23M

FREEDOM RALLY/WALK
SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1999
@ 4 PM
ST. CECILIA'S CHURCH
106TH STREET, BETW PARK & LEXINGTON
EL BARRIO
UglyPlanet@aol.com

While the prisoners study the conditions that the White House has offered, the campaign for their release continues. The campaign continues to demand, as it always has, that ALL the prisoners be given UNCONDITIONAL release. Work is being continued behind the scenes, but the work in the streets must also continue. Come to the Freedom Rally and Walk, this Saturday, find out what the conditions are and what you can do, and sign up for the Puerto Rican Day Parade in Jersey City for this Sunday, (201) 435-3244.

BITTERSWEET VICTORY
(see News Advisory from Justice Dept below)

But a victory it is, without our tremendous organizing the White House would not have taken even these steps. We should recognize our power and continue to wield it and increase it starting today Friday, August 13 at a rally and press conference outside the United Nations
Ralph Bunch Park
42nd/lst Ave
@
5 pm
Where we will demand unconditional clemency, not parole, for ALL the Puerto Rican political prisoners.

We will celebrate with and honor our sheros and heros who chose to come home and will work to remove the restrictive conditions imposed on them.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DAG
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1999
(202) 514-2007
WWW.USDOJ.GOV
TDD (202) 514-1888

NEWS ADVISORY

WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Clinton today has agreed conditionally to
commute or remit the sentences of 16 individuals for crimes committed in the
1970s and early 1980s. Attached is a list of those persons and the offenses
of which they were convicted.

The following 11 individuals will be eligible for immediate release from
prison upon conditions of mandatory release, provided that each submits a
signed written statement requesting that his or her sentence be commuted,
agreeing to abide by all conditions of release imposed by law or by the
Parole Commission, and renouncing the use or threatened use of violence for
any purpose.

NAME: Elizam Escobar

The President commuted the sentence of Mr. Escobar from a total effective
sentence of sixty (60) years' imprisonment, to a total effective sentence of
imprisonment of twenty-four (24) years, ten (10) months, and ten (10) days.

Offense: Seditious conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 2384; interference with interstate
commerce by threats or violence, 18 U.S.C. § 1951; possession of an
unregistered firearm, 26 U.S.C. § 5861(d); carrying firearms during the
commission of seditious conspiracy and interference with interstate commerce
by violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(b); interstate transportation of firearms with
intent to commit seditious conspiracy and interference with interstate
commerce by violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c); interstate transportation of a
stolen vehicle, 18 U.S.C. § 2312

Date and District: February 18, 1981; Northern District of Illinois

Sentence: Total effective sentence of 60 years' imprisonment

Name: Ricardo Jiménez

The President commuted the sentence of Mr. Jiménez from a total effective
sentence of ninety (90) years' imprisonment, to a total effective sentence of
imprisonment of twenty-five (25) years, one (1) month, and seventeen (17)
days.

Offense: Seditious conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 2384; interference with interstate
commerce by threats or violence, 18 U.S.C. § 1951; possession of an
unregistered firearm, 26 U.S.C. § 5861(d); carrying firearms during the
commission of seditious conspiracy and interference with interstate commerce
by violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(b); interstate transportation of firearms with
intent to commit seditious conspiracy and interference with interstate
commerce by violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c); interstate transportation of a
stolen vehicle, 18 U.S.C. § 2312

Date and District: February 18, 1981; Northern District of Illinois

Sentence: Total effective sentence of 90 years' imprisonment

NAME: Adolfo Matos

The President commuted the sentence of Mr. Matos from a total effective
sentence of seventy (70) years' imprisonment, to a total effective sentence
of imprisonment of twenty-four (24) years, eleven (11) months, and ten (10)
days.

Offense: Seditious conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 2384; interference with interstate
commerce by threats or violence, 18 U.S.C. § 1951; possession of an
unregistered firearm, 26 U.S.C. § 5861(d); carrying firearms during the
commission of seditious conspiracy and interference with interstate commerce
by violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(b); interstate transportation of firearms with
intent to commit seditious conspiracy and interference with interstate
commerce by violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c); interstate transportation of a
stolen vehicle, 18 U.S.C. § 2312

Date and District: February 18, 1981; Northern District of Illinois

Sentence: Total effective sentence of 70 years' imprisonment

Name: Dylcia Noemi Pagán

The President commuted the sentence of Ms. Pagán from a total effective
sentence of fifty-five (55) years' imprisonment, to a total effective
sentence of imprisonment of twenty-six (26) years, five (5) months, and
twenty (20) days.

Offense: Seditious conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 2384; interference with interstate
commerce by threats or violence, 18 U.S.C. § 1951; possession of an
unregistered firearm, 26 U.S.C. § 5861(d); carrying firearms during the
commission of seditious conspiracy and interference with interstate commerce
by violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(b); interstate transportation of firearms with
intent to commit seditious conspiracy and interference with interstate
commerce by violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c); interstate transportation of a
stolen vehicle, 18 U.S.C. § 2312

Date and District: February 18, 1981; Northern District of Illinois

Sentence: Total effective sentence of 55 years' imprisonment

NAME: Alicia Rodríguez

The President commuted the sentence of Ms. Rodríguez from a total effective
sentence of fifty-five (55) years' imprisonment, to a total effective
sentence of imprisonment of four (4) years and three (3) months.

Offense: Seditious conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 2384; interference with interstate
commerce by threats or violence, 18 U.S.C. § 1951; possession of an
unregistered firearm, 26 U.S.C. § 5861(d); carrying firearms during the
commission of seditious conspiracy and interference with interstate commerce
by violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(b); interstate transportation of firearms with
intent to commit seditious conspiracy and interference with interstate
commerce by violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c); interstate transportation of a
stolen vehicle, 18 U.S.C. § 2312

Date and District: February 18, 1981; Northern District of Illinois

Sentence: Total effective sentence of 55 years' imprisonment

NAME: Ida Luz Rodríguez

The President commuted the sentence of Ms. Rodríguez from a total effective
sentence of seventy-five (75) years' imprisonment, to a total effective
sentence of imprisonment of twenty-three (23) years, two (2) months, and
twenty-seven (27) days.

Offense: Seditious conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 2384; interference with interstate
commerce by threats or violence, 18 U.S.C. § 1951; possession of an
unregistered firearm, 26 U.S.C. § 5861(d); carrying firearms during the
commission of seditious conspiracy and interference with interstate commerce
by violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(b); interstate transportation of firearms with
intent to commit seditious conspiracy and interference with interstate
commerce by violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c); interstate transportation of a
stolen vehicle, 18 U.S.C. § 2312

Date and District: February 18, 1981; Northern District of Illinois

Sentence: Total effective sentence of 75 years' imprisonment

NAME: Luis Rosa

On the above date, the President commuted the sentence of Mr. Rosa from a
total effective sentence of seventy-five (75) years' imprisonment, to a total
effective sentence of imprisonment of four (4) years, seven (7) months, and
fifteen (15) days.
Offense: Seditious conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 2384; interference with interstate
commerce by threats or violence, 18 U.S.C. § 1951; possession of an
unregistered firearm, 26 U.S.C. § 5861(d); carrying firearms during the
commission of seditious conspiracy and interference with interstate commerce
by violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(b); interstate transportation of firearms with
intent to commit seditious conspiracy and interference with interstate
commerce by violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c); interstate transportation of a
stolen vehicle, 18 U.S.C. § 2312

Date and District: February 18, 1981; Northern District of Illinois

Sentence: Total effective sentence of 75 years' imprisonment

NAME: Carmen Valentín

The President commuted the sentence of Ms. Valentín from a total effective
sentence of ninety (90) years' imprisonment, to a total effective sentence of
imprisonment of twenty-four (24) years, eleven (11) months, and twenty-two
(22) days.

Offense: Seditious conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 2384; interference with interstate
commerce by threats or violence, 18 U.S.C. § 1951; possession of an
unregistered firearm, 26 U.S.C. § 5861(d); carrying firearms during the
commission of seditious conspiracy and interference with interstate commerce
by violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(b); interstate transportation of firearms with
intent to commit seditious conspiracy and interference with interstate
commerce by violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c); interstate transportation of a
stolen vehicle, 18 U.S.C. § 2312

Date and District: February 18, 1981; Northern District of Illinois

Sentence: Total effective sentence of 90 years' imprisonment

NAME: Alberto Rodríguez

The President commuted the sentence of Mr. Rodríguez from a total effective
sentence of thirty-five (35) years' imprisonment, followed by five years'
probation, to a total effective sentence of imprisonment of twenty-six (26)
years, seven (7) months, and twenty-six (26) days.

Offense: Seditious conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 2384; conspiracy to make
destructive devices, 18 U.S.C. § 371 and 26 U.S.C. § 5861(f); possession of
an unregistered firearm, 26 U.S.C. § 5861(d); possession of a firearm without
a serial number, 26 U.S.C. § 5861(i); conspiracy to obstruct interstate
commerce by robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 1951

Date and District: October 4, 1985; Northern District of Illinois

Sentence: Total effective sentence of 35 years' imprisonment

NAME: Alejandrina Torres

The President commuted the sentence of Ms. Torres from a total effective
sentence of thirty-five (35) years' imprisonment, followed by five years'
probation, to a total effective sentence of imprisonment of twenty-six (26)
years and twenty-three (23) days.

Offense: Seditious conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 2384; possession of an
unregistered firearm, 26 U.S.C. § 5861(d); conspiracy to make destructive
devices, 18 U.S.C. § 371 and 26 U.S.C. § 5861(f); unlawful storage of
explosives, 18 U.S.C. § 842(j); interstate transportation of a stolen
vehicle, 18 U.S.C. § 2312

Date and District: October 4, 1985; Northern District of Illinois

Sentence: Total effective sentence of 35 years' imprisonment

NAME: Edwin Cortés

The President commuted the sentence of Mr. Cortés from a total effective
sentence of thirty-five (35) years' imprisonment, followed by five years'
probation, to a total effective sentence of imprisonment of twenty-six (26)
years, ten (10) months, and twenty-five (25) days.

Offense: Seditious conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 2384; possession of an
unregistered firearm, 26 U.S.C. § 5861(d); conspiracy to make destructive
devices, 18 U.S.C. § 371 and 26 U.S.C. § 5861(f); unlawful storage of
explosives, 18 U.S.C. § 842(j); interstate transportation of a stolen
vehicle, 18 U.S.C. § 2312; possession of a firearm without a serial number,
26 U.S.C. § 5861(i); conspiracy to obstruct interstate commerce by robbery,
18 U.S.C. § 1951

Date and District: October 4, 1985; Northern District of Illinois

Sentence: Total effective sentence of 35 years' imprisonment

The following two individuals will have to serve additional time before they
are eligible for release. These grants of clemency are conditioned on each
individual submitting a written statement requesting that his sentence be
commuted, agreeing to abide by all conditions of release imposed by law or by
the Parole Commission, and renouncing the use or threatened use of violence
for any purpose, and on his good conduct for the remainder of the commuted
prison term.

NAME: Oscar López-Rivera

The President commuted the sentence of Mr. López-Rivera, arising from two
prosecutions, from a total effective sentence of seventy (70) years'
imprisonment to a total effective sentence of imprisonment of forty-four (44)
years, five (5) months, and four (4) days. The sentence in only one case was
commuted.

Offense for which Seditious conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 2384; interference with
interstate commerce by threats or violence, 18 U.S.C. § 1951; possession of
an unregistered firearm, 26 U.S.C. § 5861(d); carrying firearms during the
commission of seditious conspiracy and interference with interstate commerce
by violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(b); interstate transportation of firearms with
intent to commit seditious conspiracy and interference with interstate
commerce by violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c); interstate transportation of a
stolen vehicle, 18 U.S.C. § 2312

Date and District: August 11, 1981; Northern District of Illinois

Sentence: Total effective sentence of 55 years' imprisonment

Offense for which Conspiracy to escape, to transport explosives with intent to
sentence was not commuted: kill and injure people, and to destroy government
buildings and property, 18 U.S.C. § 371 and § 1952(a)(3); aiding and abetting
travel in interstate commerce to carry on arson, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2 and
1952(a)(3); using a telephone to carry on arson, 18 U.S.C. § 1952(a)(3)

Date and District: February 26, 1988; Northern District of Illinois

Sentence: Total effective sentence of 15 years' imprisonment, consecutive to
his earlier sentence

NAME: Juan Enrique Segarra-Palmer

The President commuted the sentence of Mr. Segarra-Palmer from a total
effective sentence of fifty-five (55) years' imprisonment and a $500,000
fine, to a total effective sentence of imprisonment of twenty-nine (29)
years, eleven (11) months, and seven (7) days. The President also remitted
the unpaid balance of the fine. The President also remitted the unpaid
balance of the fine.

Offense: Robbery of bank funds, 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a); transportation of stolen
money in interstate and foreign commerce, 18 U.S.C. § 2314; conspiracy to
interfere with interstate commerce by robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 1951; interference
with interstate commerce by robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 1951; conspiracy to rob
federally insured bank funds, commit a theft from an interstate shipment, and
transport stolen money in interstate and foreign commerce, 18 U.S.C. § 371

Date and District: June 15, 1989; District of Connecticut

Sentence: Total effective sentence of 55 years' imprisonment (as modified on
appeal) and a $500,000 fine

The President remitted the unpaid balance of the fines imposed upon the
following three individuals, provided that each submits a signed written
statement requesting that his fine be remitted and renouncing the use or
threatened use of violence for any purpose.

NAME: Antonio Camacho-Negrón

Offense: Foreign transportation of stolen money, 18 U.S.C. § 2314; conspiracy
to rob federally insured bank funds, commit a theft from an interstate
shipment, and transport stolen money in interstate and foreign commerce, 18
U.S.C. § 371

Date and District: June 8, 1989; District of Connecticut

Sentence: Total effective sentence of 15 years' imprisonment and a $100,000
fine

NAME: Roberto Maldonado-Rivera

Offense: Conspiracy to rob federally insured bank funds, commit a theft from
an interstate shipment, and transport stolen money in interstate and foreign
commerce, 18 U.S.C. § 371

Date and District: June 8, 1989; District of Connecticut

Sentence: Total effective sentence of five years' imprisonment and a $100,000
fine

NAME: Norman Ramírez-Talavera

Offense: Conspiracy to rob federally insured bank funds, commit a theft from
an interstate shipment, and transport stolen money in interstate and foreign
commerce, 18 U.S.C. § 371

Date and District: June 8, 1989; District of Connecticut

Sentence: Total effective sentence of five years' imprisonment and a $50,000
fine

PROLIBERTAD'S AWARDS DINNER
AND
VOLUNTEERS' PARTY
Friday, August 6, 1999

Dennis Rivera, President of 1199, award recipient could not attend the dinner but sent the following message, and an honorable mention was made to the Soldiers of the Black Liberation Army from the 1970s:

MESSAGE FROM DENNIS RIVERA

Good Evening Sisters, Brothers, Ladies & Gentlemen, Companeros and Companeras:
On behalf of the Officers, Staff and Members of 1199/SEIU, I would once again like to welcome you to "your" house: the Martin Luther King Jr. Labor Center. Although previous commitments prevent me from being present this evening, as always I am with you in spirit. The many years of hard work and commitment on the part of PROLIBERTAD  and the honorees tonight is only surpassed by the struggle and sacrifice of our sisters and brothers who remain unjustly incarcerated. Although their release seens to be close at hand, we must all redouble our efforts to ensure victory. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that our Union is fully committed to achieving this end.

In Solidarity,                                                                                                     
Dennis Rivera                                                                                                    
La Lucha Continua                                                                                            

HONORABLE MENTION FOR THE SOLDIERS
OF THE BLACK LIBERATION ARMY OF THE 1970s.

These Brothers fought for the liberation of both Black and Puerto Rican, and all peoples. All of these brothers were captured and became political prisoners for lengthy periods.  Some of them spent time inside with the Puerto Rican political prisoners like Rafael Cancel Miranda, as well as political prisoners like Leonard Peltier.  Today they continue to struggle on and are here to show support for the Puerto Rican political prisoners and the liberation and independence of Puerto Rico.

Please Stand:                    Pedro (Chango) Monges
                                           Michael (Ashanti) Alston
                                         Raul (Curly) Estremera
                                                   Oscar (Omowale) Washington

WHITE  HOUSE VISIT

The National Committee to Free Puerto Rican political prisoners and Prolibertad met with Jeff Farrow and Myra Martinez of the Inter Agency Working Group on Puerto Rico and Meredith Cabe of the White House Counsel on Friday, July 23, 1999. We were approximately 30 people with
representatives from: the families of the prisoners; lawyers, clergy, artists, and activists. Our intent was to deliver a message that those involved in the amnesty campaign are strong, united, committed, and from all walks of life, and that we are not going away until the prisoners are out. We delivered a resolution calling for the release of the prisoners from the African National Congress (ANC) which was issued after the Deputy Secretary General of the ANC visited the women prisoners in California July 17, and the latest resolution from the United Nations which also calls for the release of the prisoners

The main question we asked was when will the Justice Dept send their recommendation to the White House Counsel. Other than saying the process is nearing the end and that he (Farrow) does not expect for us to come back next summer to campaign for their release, we received no date. We
then stressed that the ultimate decision will be political and that we are looking for a positive one.

People expressed frustration, anger and determination. The amnesty application was filed with the Justice Department in November, 1993, 5 1/2 long years ago.  We let it be known that we intend to find out where Gore and Hillary Clinton stand on the release of the prisoners so we can let New Yorkers know before they cast their vote in 2000.

While we were inside the White House others were outside rallying and then 17 people were arrested for civil disobiendence, 17 representing the 17 political prisoners. People from New York then went on  and met with Senator Schumer's staff. To date Schumer has called the Justice Dept to find out what is causing the delay in their recommendation. Schumer's staff told us verbally that he supports the release of the prisoners but we asked for active support in terms of a letter to Clinton with a follow up meeting with the president.

MEMBER OF ANC TO VISIT WOMEN PRISONERS

Thenjiwe Mtintso, Deputy Secretary General of the African National Congress Party of South Africa will visit the women Puerto Rican political prisoners in Dublin, California July 14 - 16, 1999. Listen in to WBAI's (99.5 FM) "Wake Up Call" on Friday, July 9 and "Democracy Now" on Thursday, July 15 to hear Thenjiwe talk about the visit. Here is the message sent from Ida Luz Rodriguez, one of the prisoners, to Thenjiwe.

My warmest greetings! Thank you for the opportunity to voice solidarity
with international liberation movements, particularly the struggle waged by
the African National Congress.

You may be wondering who I am. My name is Lucy Rodriguez. In 1976, police
and FBI agents in Chicago, Illinois, identified me as a member of the
Puerto Rican clandestine struggle for independence. As a result, I was
forced to enter the underground to continue my resistance against US
colonialism in Puerto Rico. I was forced to leave behind a big chunk of my
hear -- my son Damian, who was three years old.

On April 4, 1980, I was captured along with my sister Alicia, 3 other
companeras and 6 companeros who committed their lives to Puerto Rican
national liberation. While facing the judge we articulated our Prisoner of
War position. We refused to recognized the authority of the US government
to criminalize the Puerto Rican independence struggle. We were convicted
of siditious conspiracy and given life sentences.

Throughout the years, we have remained strong and determined, nurtured by
the common threads which bind all liberation movements. We understand the
common need to struggle against the control of transnational corporate
interests that created the globalization of capital, poverty, and
environmental imbalances and devastation worldwide. Althought the nature
of this control is frightiening, it challenges and carries the seeds of
international solidarity and sustainable solutions. We are not alone in
this world that has become interdependent. The global problems we face
require global solutions.

I wish to acknowledge the contribution of women to liberation struggles.
Today, Thenjiwe Mtintso especially recognized for overcoming torture by the
South African police and rising to become the highest ranking woman in the
ANC as well as a member of her nation's Parliament. As a woman freedom
fighter, I can only imagine the obstacles surpassed by our comrade Thenjiwe
Mtintso. Her contribution to freedom is truly an inspiration.

While our contribution as women to the struggle for liberation has been
steadfast and undeniable, we must continue to fight to revolutionize
male-dominated cultures that more often than not devalue women. Models of
liberation and development cannot be brought to fruition while they remain
based on the present global division of labor, consumer patterns, racism,
patriarchy, and antropocentrism, and every day I remind myself that as
women we have the most need and greater motivation to question stereotypes
and gender roles and to become explorers of new terrain and a new awareness
of human liberation.

I send greetings from my sister Alicia and North American anti-imperialist
political prisoners here, who because of the short notice were unable to
send their own solidarity messages.

Once again, thank you.

Lucy Rodriquez
Puerto Rican Prisoner of War
Dublin California
July 1, 1999

NATIONAL PUERTO RICAN PARADE WILL BE DEDICATED
TO THE POLITICAL PRISONERS
by Marco Vinicio
El Diario, May 20, 1999
Translated by Susanna Cabanas, Prolibertad

"This year, we dedicate the National Puerto Rican Day Parade to the 65^th Infantry Regiment, to Dr. Jose Celso Barbosa, to Don Luis A. Ferre, and especially to the political prisoners*," stated Dr. Ramon Velez. The announcement was made at a press conference at the Marriott Marquis Hotel located in midtown.

Dr. Velez, founder of this annual celebration remembered with visible emotion when during the Korean war, Puerto Ricans under his command fought, "to defend the flag of this country, of which we feel very proud to belong".

"That this nation should have more sympathy for the 15 Puerto Rican Political Prisoners (PRPP) who also fought for their flag", said Velez. Following this same train of thought, Velez invited all Puerto Ricans in the United States to accompany him to Washington, D.C., "to ask Congress for the release of these prisoners who deserve their freedom and re-incorporation into society.

In yesteday’s event, Frederico Perez, Board member of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade mentioned the names of the Marshalls of the next parade, beginning with the Boricua actress, Jennifer Lopez, the baseball player recently inaugurated into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Orlando "Peruchin" Cepeda and the legendary, Tito Puente, representating musicians. In addition the participation of 100 other artists is expected.

Another plan presented by Velez during the press conference was that of the "Diaspora", a project that invites all Puerto Ricans who live outside the island to symbolically recreate the route the first Boricua immigrants who came to this country by making a trip by boat from New York to Puerto Rico and then returning in a plane.

Finally, Velez announced that the next project of the Center for Multiple Services , of which he is the founder, and of which the Puerto Rican Parade is a part - the creation of a four year university in the Bronx.

*Watch the "Calendar of Events" in the next couple of weeks for parade activities and how you can get involved in making the release of the prisoners a reality!!!

PUERTO RICAN OFFICIALS TAKE ON PRESIDENT CLINTON
Translated from GERSON BORRERO'S COLUMUN, "UNDER FIRE"
El Diario de la Prensa, May 4, 1999

Fourteen Puerto Rican elected officials agreed on Saturday afternoon to take a series of steps with President William Jefferson Clinton in order to obtain the release of 15 compatriots that remain imprisoned in federal penitentiaries.

The Puerto Rican officials understand that it is the President who should deal with this matter and therefore, it fell upon the three Puerto Rican members of the U.S.Congress, Jose E. Serrano, Nydia M. Velazquez and Luis V. Gutierrez, to call the White House by the end of the workday yesterday, Monday, to request a meeting with the U.S. President.

Even though the meeting was a secret one, in fact, the letter of invitation which was dated April 26, points out to the politicians that "Only elected officials and labor leader Dennis Rivera are invited." Although those who participated were forbidden from speaking to the press, four of the members of the group with whom I spoke separately, assured me that there is a consensus among them that Bill Clinton is the one who has to free the political prisoners and not the Department of Justice. My sources, who were a part of the until now closed group that met from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at Jimmy's Bronx Cafe, assured me that all those present agreed that none of them would support Hillary Rodham Clinton, if she decides torun for the senate seat vacated by Daniel Patrick Moynihan in the year 2000, is she does not commit herself to the liberation of these compatriots.

"This (agreement) is not limited to Hillary", argured one of my spokespeople, who added that "We will not support any Democratic candidate that does not have the release of the 15 Puerto Ricans as part of their political agenda."  That is to say, that the First Lady would be informed of this decision so that she can take this into account as part of her considerations in trying to determine whether she will run.

Similarly, and of greater impact within the heart of the Democractic Party is the fact that this criteria for political support by these Puerto Rican officials will also be applied to aspiring residential candidates who seek the nomination of their party at the convention to be held in the year 2000 in Los Angeles. Once the meeting between Clinton and these Congress people is held they will relay to him that if he does not concede a pardon to the 15 prisoners then the matter of their release will be brought to the floor fo the  convention. Serrano, Velazquez and Gutierrez will give Clinton a period of two weeks to respond to their position.

In addition to the three congress people who signed and sent the letter of invitation, the group currently incudes Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer, State Senators Olga Mendez, Efrain Gonzalez and David Rosado, State Assemblymen Peter Rivera, and Ruben Diaz, Jr. and City Coucil members Jose Rivera, Adolfo Carrion, Victor Robles, Angel Rodriguez and Pedro Gautier Espada. Dennis Rivera was not present at the meeting nor was Assemblyman Roberto Ramirez in his capacity as President of the Democratic Party in the Borough (Bronx) in which the meeting was held.

Translation By: Frank Velgara, Prolibertad 

NATIONAL WORKING GROUP FORMED
TO FREE THE PRISONERS

In March, 1999 the National Working Group was formed to affirm their commitment to the freedom of Dr. Jose Solis and the Puerto Rican Political Prisoners, and to launch a unitary campaign.
This group is composed of representatives from:
National Committee to Free PRPP in Camden, Chicago, & Philadelphia
Dr. Solis Defense Committee in Chicago
Prolibertad, NY
Working Group on Puerto Rico, NY
Interfaith Prisoners of Conscience Project
Resistance in Brooklyn
Union for Puerto Rican Students, Northeastern,IL
Union Puertorriquena of Madison, WI
Workers World Party, NY
Puerto Rico Collective/National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights, NY
The Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico
The Interreligious Committee for the Liberation of Puerto Rico
Voz Boriken (Cornell)
Casa Atabexache, NY
St. Mary's Episcopal Church, NY
Latinos at Riverside, NY
International Action Center, NY
Latinos for Mumia, NY

SEE CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR MORE INFO ON ACTIVITIES AND MEETINGS

YET ANOTHER PUERTO RICAN POLITICAL PRISONER
The following was translated from an article in the Puerto Rican newspaper Claridad, 19 -25 March, 1999

SOLIS CONVICTED IN BIASED TRIAL
by Carmelo Ruiz Marrero

The Puerto Rican community in Chicago and progressive sectors in Puerto Rico were surprised and indignant at the guilty verdict reached by a federal jury this past March 12, against Jose Solis, a professor from the University of Puerto Rico (U.P.R.) and father of five children. His lawyers informed Claridad that at this moment they are preparing an appeal.

The FBI arrested Solis at his home in November, 1997 and accused him of bombing a U.S. Army recruiting station in Chicago in 1992 as part of a group called the Boricua Revoluntionary Front (FRB-Frente Revolucionario Boricua). The trial took place in the Federal Court in Chicago. Solis who teaches in the education department of the Rio Piedras campus of the U.P.R. maintains that he is innocent and has been framed for political reasons.

The prosecution's case was based on testimony by F.B.I. agents who alleged that Solis had confessed to the action of which he has been accused. However, they- the prosecution- did not present any document signed by the accused nor any tape recordings whatsoever or video proof of the alleged confession. In other words, it was the word of honor of F.B.I. that put Solis in jail.

According to Linda Bakiel, Solis' lawyer, the closing arguments of the prosecution weighted heavily in the minds of the jury. The prosecution said to the jurors that this was a case of the good people of Chicago versus terrorists who have come from outside to shatter the peace in the community.

One cannot understand the role of Rafael Marrero, the star witness for the prosecution. Marrero, who once was a member of the Anti-Electoral Front and worked with Solis at the Puerto Rican Cultural Center in Chicago, admits to having organized the FRB and to having placed the bomb at the recruitment center. Those who knew Marrero in Puerto Rico and Chicago compare him to Alejandro Gonzalez Malave (an informant), because they remember him as an individual who postured as a sectarian and ultra-leftist and on repeated occasions tried to instigate his comrades to commit illegal acts.

The jury was composed of 14 jurors of which 3 were African Americans, 1 was Filipino and the rest were all white. None of them were Latinos. Furthermore, the forewoman of the jury was an employee of the U.S. Justice Department.

"How is it possible that the jury in this case included an employee of the Justice Department? In a case such as this, so similiar to the Oklahoma bombing case which was also a bombing of a federal building. Who are you going to believe, the accused or the agents of the F.B.I.?" declared Mervin Mendez, head of the Committee in Solidarity with Jose Solis, Chicago, to Claridad.

Following the reading of the verdict, Solis was remanded into custody at the Metropolitan Correctional Center of Chicago, where he will be confined until he is sentenced on July7, 1999. He is segregated from the rest of the prison population and in complete isolation 23 hours a day, without any radio or television or anything toread. he was not allowed to get together with his wife and children until Monday, when he was able to see them for a couple of hours.

Solis' lawyers, Backiel and Jed Stone, are going to make two motions. One will be a challenge to the illegal verdict, arguing that the colonial nature of the relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States invalidates the court's jurisdiction in this case. The other motion will be to call for a new trial, arguing that the process with which the trial was conducted undermined the credibility of the verdict.

SOLIDARITY

The reaction of the Puerto Rican community has been striking. During the trial the number of people supporting Solis tha attended the trial everyday was such that they could not fit into the courtroom. The day following the verdict, over 200 people attended a vigil in front of the building where Solis is incarcerated. As explained Mervin Mendez, the campaign in support of Solis, before and after the verdict, has had the support of other communities, including Afro-Americans, Whites, Jews, and Palestinians. Mendez and Backiel informed this weekly newspaper that the members of the campaign to save the life of Mumia Abu Jamal, an African American journalist and political prisoner who faces the death penalty in Philadelphia, have also lent a hand in the cause of Solis.

Solis upheld his principles throughout the trial. It would have been easier for him to declare himself guilty and to make a deal with prosecutors to shorten his sentence", stated Mendez to Claridad. "The prosecutor used Solis' political view against him", said Professor Nellie Zambrana, Solis' co-worker in the Department of Education at U.P.R.. "Given that Solis believes in the right of oppressed peoples to struggle for their freedom by whatever means, including armed struggle, the prosecutor argued that Solis was capable of placing a bomb as he is accused. Its really about the criminalization of ideas."

WHAT IS BEHIND ALL THIS?

One of the main trump cards in this offensive seems to be Rafael Marrero, who in addition to implicating Solis, has also taken advantage of various opportunities to attack the Puerto Rican community and its institutions in Chicago. He (Marrero) was the main source of "information" for a series of articles published in the Chicago Sun Times in 1997, in which it was alleged that the Roberto Clemente School, located in the Puerto Rican community and affiliated to the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, was indoctrinating students with pro-independence ideas and that some of their teachers were members of the FALN.

These alarmist articles in the Chicago Sun Times provoked an investigation by the State Legislature of Illinois, lead by right-wing representative, Edgar Lopez, (no relation to Jose Lopez). The star witness of that fishing expedition was none other than Marrero, who proceeded to describe the Clemente School as a hiding place and sanctuary for terrorists. Among other things, he said that at the school state funds were being used for pro-independence propaganda and to support the campaign to free the Puerto Rican political prisoners. The investigation headed by Edgar Lopez, described by many Boricuas as a witch hunt similar to that carried out by McCarthy, did not find any evidence of illegal activities at the Clemente School.

The repressive persecution will not end with the imprisonment of Solis. When he was arrested in 1997 and imprisoned at the federal building in Hato Ray, PR, FBI agents asked him many questions about Jose Lopez and other community and pro-independence leaders and offered Solis immunity from prosecution if he testified against them. He refused to offer any information or to incriminate anyone else. People close to Solis and members of the PR community in Chicago, have surmised that perhaps his refusal to cooperate with federal agents resulted in his being jailed.

To Support Jose Solis  Write to Solis:

Jose Solis Jordan
#08121424
MCC
71 West Van Buren 
Chicago, IL 60605

Any donations to cover the enormous legal defense costs involved and to help Solis family can be sent to:

Unidad de Personas y Recursos de Apoyo y Solidaridad (UPRASO)
Urbanizacion Round Hill - Calle Violeta 676
Trujillo Alto, PR 00976
You can contact UPRASO by calling (787) 760-1517 or (787) 748-1226

Or, you can also send donations directly to the account set up at the Banco Popular in PR. The Account Number is: #033021597.

Translated by Frank Velgara, Prolibertad

STATEMENT FROM MUMIA ABU JAMAL
MENSAJE DE MUMIA ABU JAMAL
for/para
THE APRIL 24TH DEMONSTRATION IN PUERTO RICO
LA MANIFESTACION DE 24 ABRIL EN PUERTO RICO

Mis hermanas y hermanos de Boriquen! Muchas Gracias!

Whenever I think of the Puerto Rican Independence Movement, I feel luckier than most writers. I had the pleasure some time ago of meeting and interviewing several of the independentistas who raided Congress back in 1954, among them Rafael Cancel Miranda, Irving Flores and others: I don't thin Lolita Lebron made the conference.

But years later, Black revoluntionary Assata Shakur would write about meeting Lolita and to read that, was so wonderful that I wept. And reading about Assata meeting Lolita was almost like meeting her yourself. For over twenty years, those revoluntionaries served their people's struggle in the Empire's dungeons. They were an inspiration to us all! I'm sure that their courageous example continues to inspire independentistas who are caged within the U.S. Empire's dungeons today. I know when I interviewed them, I never thought I would one day caged as they were. I can only hope their example and those of other political prisoners taught me well.

So let us yell and then fight to free our brothers and sisters held in Yankee cages!! Independencia! Libertad para los presos politicos! Basta Ya! Ona Move! Long Live John Africa!

********

Cuando yo pienso en el Movimiento Independentista Puertorriqueno, me siento mas afortunado que la mayoria de escritores. Yo tuve el placer hace un tiempo atras, de conocer y entrevistar a varios de los independentistas quienes llevaron a cabo el ataque al Congresso en el 1954, entre ellos Rafael Cancel Miranda, Irving Flores y otros. No creo que Lolital Lebron pudo asistir a esa conferencia.

Pero, anos despues, la revolucionaria negra, Assata Shakur, escribiria sobre su encuentro con Lolita. Leer eso fue una experiencia tan maravillosa que me provoco lagrimas. Y leer sobre el encuentro de Assata con Lolita fue casi como habler conocerla uno mismo. Por mas de viente anos, esos revolucionarios se desatacaron como servidores de la libertad de su pueblo y la lucha por la independencia entro de las carceles del Imperio. !Ellos/as fueron fuente de inspiracion para todos nosotros! Yo estoy convencido que su ejemplo sigue inspirando a los independentistas que permanecen encarcelados dentro de las carceles del Imperio Estadounidense, hoy dia. Yo se que cuando yo los entreviste, yo nunca pense que un dia yo estaria encarcelado como ellos estuvieron. Solo puedo confiar que su ejemplo y el ejemplo de los otros presos politicos me ha servido de ensenanza firme.

Asi es que, alzemos nuestra voces y sigamos luchando por la libertad de nuestros hermanas y hermanos encarcelados en las prisiones Yanqui!   Libertad para los presos politicos! Basta Ya! Ona Move! !Viva John Africa!

Mumia Amu Jamal    

BARCELO has been invited to speak at the New York State Legislators' Black & Puerto Rican Caucus on Sunday, February 14, 1999 in Albany, NY. Barcelo is the only remaining Puerto Rican leader who vehemently speaks out against the release of the prisoners. His own statehood party supports their release on humanitarian grounds. If you are interested to attend this presentation to oppose his views, see the Calendar of Events for more information.

SEND CONDOLENCES to Alejandrina Torres and Carlos Alberto Torres; their 16 year old grand-daughter and niece respectively, was killed by a drunken driver over the holidays. Let them know that there are people out here who care. 

UNA TRULLA PA' DYLCIA PAGAN
NEW YEAR/REYES FUNDRAISER FOR DEE
Saturday, January 2, 1999 from 6 pm to Midnight

Casa Gerena Quinones
339 East 116th between 1st and 2nd Aveune
(212) 348-8004

MUSIC by JOE FALCON & SON BORICUA

DINNER by CARMEN CRUZ
Sugested Donation $10

Organized by Betty Cutie, Gloria Quinones, W. Gerena and Prolibertad

JACK STRAW IS NO BORE, TELLS PINOCHET, OUT YOU GET!! British Home Secretary Jack Straw announces December 9, 1998 that Pinochet does not have immunity and will be extradicted to Spain. It will probably be another year before appeals are exhausted and the final decision will be made on extradiction, however no-one thought the extradiction process would get this far, and for that we have cause to celebrate.

WHITE HOUSE CALL-IN NEWS FROM COLORADO:  Angell Perez writes: "In our effort to join ProLibertad and others for the call in to the White House on November 23,  we wanted to do the best we could to get a large number of supporters. Rather than spread the word in hopes people would call in on their own we decided to take a different approach in hopes we would get a larger number of students, faculty and staff from our college to join us. Thanks to ProLibertad in NYC/NJ who provided us with materials to do a fund raiser we were able to raise about $130.00 before the day of the national call in. We realized many students on our campus could not afford long distance calls and this could discourage them from joining us, also many people do not have access to fax machines, especially for long distance. We decided to come together and provide resources for those wishing to join the call in campaign. We were fortunate enough to find out through student activites that, because we are a student organization on campus could open a long distance account with the school utilizing the money we raised. We were able to obtain three telephones and two fax machines in the student union which were used by students, faculty and staff to join the call in. It was a great success!! The phones and fax machines were constantly in use throughout the day. And because we were located in the student union and had the phones and fax machines right there we were able to reach out to a large number of people who we normally wouldn't have been able to and see to it that they followed through and called in. From 9:00am to 6:30 we had supporters using the resources provided to demand our prisoners be released. We even had to leave the office open an extra half hour to give everyone a chance to voice themselves! We reached out to professors who we new would support us, we had five professors bring their ENTIRE classes to call in or fax in!! It was a tremendous success and I know Denver Co jammed up the White house all day long. We are very happy with all the help we recieved from everyone here on campus. We ended up going way over our amount of money in our long distance account, but that's a GOOD thing (I think ha ha). It was a great success!!

EXTRADITE PINOCHET:  "The Permanent Committee for Chile" has issued the following request:

On Wednesday, November 25, 1998, the five judge tribunal of the House of Lords ruled against granting ammunity to General Augusto Pinochet by a count of 3-2. This decision is a tremendous victory for the relatives and victims of the Pinochet regime, for the survivors of genocide in Chile, and also for the entire Chilean people.

While the decision is monumental in upholding Human Rights and Justice, the process of Pinochet's extradition in not yet complete. On December 2, Pinochet will appear in court to receive the British government's final decision as to whether Spain's request for extradition has been granted. In the meantime, Pinochet will stay under arrest and police guard.

Now is the time to put pressure on the British government. The final decision to grant Spain's request for extradition (or that of any other country) rests in the hands of the Home Secretary, Jack Straw.

WRITE, PHONE, FAX AND E-MAIL British Home Secretary Jack Straw, urging him to grant Spain's request for extradition:

British Home Secretary Jack Straw
Phone: 011 44 171 2734000
Fax: 011 44 171 2732190
e-mail: gen.ho@gtnet.gov.uk

Let's support the ex-political prisoners of Chile and their families in bringing Pinochet to justice. Thank you.

After almost 5 years to the day, the U.S. Justice Department is poised to respond to the amnesty application made on behalf of the 15 Puerto Rican political prisoners by sending their recommendation to the White House. According to the Justice Department, within a month of the receipt of their recommendation, the White House will make a decision whether to grant clemency to the 5 women and 10 men who have been imprisoned between 15 and 18 years under some of the most brutal conditions -- not for criminal activity, but for their political affiliations in the cause of Puerto Rico’s independence and self-determination.

Activities and events are being scheduled in order to maintain pressure on President Clinton to do the right thing, and to practice at home what he is preaching abroad; freedom of political prisoners around the globe. The U.S. government’s presence and influence have been felt in Ireland, South Korea, South Africa, China, Cuba and Nigeria among other nations. One such event is Prolibertad’s organizing conference at Hunter College, Saturday, November 21, 1998. (See Calendar of Events).

MUMIA ABU JAMAL'S appeal is denied. The Supreme Court of the State of Pennsylvania denied Mumia Abu Jamal's appeal today. The decision was signed by Justice Ronald Castille.

What does this mean?

1. A new death warrant is imminent. Governor Thomas Ridge had promised to issue (sign) a new death warrant on Mumia as soon as his appeal was denied.

2. If the Governor does not sign the death warrant, the head of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections can sign the warrant and issue a date for execution and carry it out within 30 days.

3. Once the death warrant is signed, Mumia would immediately be moved into Phase I again where he would be isolated and await the execution or a new stay.

What can we do?

1. Mumia's attorneys are prepared to go into Federal Court to ask for a stay of execution once the warrant is signed.

2. We will file papers in Federal Court for a habeas.

3. We are asking for demonstrations to be held across the country. Get the word out about what has happened and organize demonstrations.

4. Now, more than ever, we need for people to reach out and get involved. Justice Ronald Castille, the person who signed the decision denying Mumia a new trial, was a signator on the papers from the District Attorney's office denying Mumia's original appeal. Having worked on this case from the outset, Ronald Castille could not be objective in determining whether Mumia's
conviction should be overturned.

Call (215) 476-8812, the International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia
Abu Jamal, to find out what you can do and what the next step should be.

JERSEY CITY COUNCIL PASSES RESOLUTION TO FREE THE PUERTO RICAN POLITICAL PRISONERS!!! On Wednesday, October 28, 1998, the Jersey City council voted   6 for, with 3 abstentions, on a resolution calling for the release of the Puerto Rican political prisoners. GO JERSEY!!!

Pinochet arrested in London: British authorities arrested Pinochet, October 16, 1998 at the request of a Spanish magistrate who is investigating the deaths of Spanish citizens during the rule of Pinochet in Chile. Chilean activists in the U.S., who also suffered under the hands of Pinochet , are calling for his extradition to the U.S. for the murders of L'Atelier and Moffat.  Nieves Ayress, Chilean ex-political prisoner, founder of, " Vamos a la Pena",  in the Bronx, NY. ,   and avid supporter of amnesty for the Puerto Rican political prisoners, is asking for people to come forward to support the Chilean community and to add their names to the list of those demanding Pinochet's extradition to the U.S.  Please call (718) 402-9411

Any Royalties from newly released book, "Puerto Rican Movement" will be shared with the prisoners. The prisoners have already received a copy of the book. Please support the distribution of the book by: ordering yourself a copy and getting your friends one for Christmas,  having a book party, or attending one of the book parties in the city. See Calendar of Events. For more information on all of the above contact Andy Torres: uzibla@aol.com

After almost 5 years to the day, the U.S. Justice Department is poised to respond to the amnesty application made on behalf of the 15 Puerto Rican political prisoners by sending their recommendation to the White House.   According to the Justice Department, within a month of the receipt of their recommendation, the White House will make a decision whether to grant clemency to the 5 women and 10 men who have been imprisoned between 15 and 18 years under some of the most brutal conditions -- not for criminal activity, but for their political affiliations in the cause of Puerto Rico’s independence and self-determination.

Activities and events are being scheduled in order to maintain pressure on President Clinton to do the right thing, and to practice at home what he is preaching abroad; freedom of political prisoners around the globe. The U.S. government’s presence and influence have been felt in Ireland, South Korea, South Africa, China, Cuba and Nigeria among other nations.  One such event is Prolibertad’s organizing conference at Hunter College, Saturday, November 21, 1998, with keynote speakers, Ronald Fernandez, author of "Prisoners of Colonialism", and Ramon Bosques, author of the newly released, "Las Carpetas".  Following the conference will be a candlelight march to St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  Cardinal John O’Connor has already written to President Clinton calling for the prisoners’ release.  On Monday, November 23, 1998, a national call-in to the White House from around the U.S. and Puerto Rico will be held, where President Clinton will be asked to "1998, Let My People Go", so they too can be with their families for Thanksgiving.  JOIN US!  For more information call: 1-212-927-9065.

CONGRESSMAN ELIOT ENGEL, U.S. Representative from the Bronx, has already sent a letter to President Clinton asking for amnesty for the prisoners. Prolibertad members, who are constituents in his area, are reaching out to him to ask him to meet with President Clinton to discuss the prisoners' release. If you are a constituent in his area and want to help at this historical moment, please call Julio Ramos @ (718) 652-0501, or e-mail him at: jc.ramos@gte.net. If you live in the Bronx and do not know who your representative is, go to the Legislative page and scroll down to the zip code link. Click on the link and type in your zip code, it will give you your representative's name.

PROLIBERTAD'S FREEDOM BOOK

EMPLOYMENT CORNER
LOOKING FOR CREATIVE, TALENTED,
FREEDOM LOVING PEOPLE TO HELP PUBLISH

CALL (212) 222-1156

FUNDRAISING CORNER
LOOKING FOR SUPPORT FOR FREEDOM BOOK,
CALL OR CLICK FOR COUPON $20 TO ENSURE FIRST EDITION

CALL (212) 222-1156

OSCAR LOPEZ RIVERA'S 12 YEARS OF SOLITARY CONFINEMENT ENDS!!

After spending 12 out of 18 years in solitary confinement, Oscar Lopez Rivera was transferred out of USP Marion, Illinois to USP Terre Haute, Indiana. Upon arrival in Terre Haute he was put in general population where he met Puerto Rican political prisoner Ricardo Jimenez whom he had not seen since prior to their imprisonment, 18 years ago.

FREE THE POLITICAL PRISONERS!!!

SUPPORT NEEDED IN NEW JERSEY
NEW JERSEY PROLIBERTAD TO MEET WITH CONGRESSMAN BOB MENENDEZ

If you live in the New Jersey congressional district of Congressman Menendez, (13th District) and you want to encourage him to lobby President Clinton to release the prisoners, here is your opportunity.
Call (201) 435-3244 or E-mail: crowder@umdnj.edu

If you are not sure who your congressperson is, click here.  

TESTIFY FOR RELEASE OF PRISONERS
AT THE UNITED NATIONS

The UN Committee of Special 24 will be taking and hearing testimony on the status of Puerto Rico in August, 1998. We have heard it will be around August 10 -12, 1998. This offers a great opportunity to follow up the July 25th demonstration at the UN with testimony on why the Puerto Rican political prisoners should be released immediately. It is another excellent opportunity to publicize to the world, as well as here in the US, the case of the prisoners. People in the New York area should plan to testify in person at the hearings, people outside the New York area can fax in their testimony. Testimony is restricted to 10 -15 minutes. Anyone interested in testifying either way and would like information to help with their testimony, please e-mail me at crowder@umdnj.edu Information on registering to testify can be obtained from:

Acting Chair: Bruno Rodriguez Barrilla
Committee of Special 24
(212) 963-3051 Ph
(212) 963-5305 Fax

Demonstrations, activities and events show the mass movement that is being built around amnesty for the prisoners, however the growth of the campaign must manifest itself by putting pressure on those who can influence the release of the prisoners such as the UN. To quote, Alberto Rodriguez, one of the Puerto Rican political prisoners, we must engage in "making freedom real". See his article on the "From the Other Side."

White House lawyer, Charles F.C. Ruff, writes in May 1998, regarding, "executive clemency for the individuals of Puerto Rican origin incarcerated for crimes committed in the name of Puerto Rican independence the White House hopes, "to receive a recommendation from the Department of Justice in the next few months, and that a decision will be made this year".

There are 6 months left in 1998, pressure on President Clinton to grant exective clemency, must not just be maintained, but heightened. We, in the U.S., need to contact our U.S. Representatives and Senators, and those in Puerto Rico need to contact their Puerto Rican representatives to write and or call President Clinton.

Please check back within the next week for more information.

SALSA FOR FREEDOM
An evening of dance, with Nelson Flores’ dancers, poetry and Puerto Rican cuisine.
Prepare to be stimulated by a floor show and challenged on the dance floor, dancing to rich Afro-Cuban rythmns.

Martin Luther King Labor Center
310 W43rd St, between 8th and 9th Ave.,
New York., New York
Saturday, June 27, 1998 at 8:30 pm

Ricardo Jimenez and Alberto Rodriquez have arrived at their new destinations, and can be reached by writing to them at the following addresses:

Please write to them and send them newspapers, magazines and paperback along with your correspondence.

Alberto Rodriguez and Ricardo Jimenez were transferred out of Lewisburg on June 1, 1998. Alberto is on his way to Beaumont, Texas. Ricardo is on his way to Terre Haute, Indiana. Ricardo was in solitary confinement for refusing a cell-mate that smokes, and perhaps for him this may be a better situation. It is not clear why Alberto was moved.

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This page was last updated on Monday, January 03, 2000