Lolita Lebrón Dies

El Nuevo Día (August 1, 2010)
Translated from Spanish by NiLP (National Institute for Latino Policy)

San Juan- The Nationalist heroine, Lolita Lebrón, who was jailed a quarter century in the United States for leading a commando attack on the Congress, died at 11:05 am today.

The 89 year old Puerto Rican nationalist leader was in a hospital in San Juan for a few weeks due to cardio respiratory complications she could not overcome, sources said.

“We were very anxious about the clinical picture presented in the last few hours and certainly expected this sad and painful end at any time,” International News Service said a source close to the family, who declined to be identified.

Lebrón was active in the struggle for the independence of Puerto Rico until her last breath, as relatives explained that only the deterioration of her health prevented her from being present in the latest protests in the country.

She also regretted not being able to be in the welcoming last Tuesday of former Puerto Rican political prisoner Carlos Alberto Torres, as she was already very poor health. Torres spent 30 years in prison in the U.S. for “seditious conspiracy” related to the struggle for independence as a suspected member of the Armed Forces of National Liberation (FALN).

Lebrón led an integrated command team in 1954 that incuded Rafael Cancel Miranda, Irving Flores and Andrés Figueroa Cordero, who remained imprisoned for 25 years before being pardoned in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter in the wake of an intense international campaign.

The action sought “to denounce to the world the farce of the Commonwealth,” a system of government that had been founded in 1952 to remove Puerto Rico from the list of colonies.

On one occasion, nationalist leader stated that the attack on the U.S. Congress did not intend to cause the death of any congressman and, on the contrary, members of the command intended to blow themselves up because they thought they would be killed there.

In 1999, 11 Puerto Rican Political Prisoners were released due to the pressure exerted by an international campaign. The National Boricua Human Rights Network helped lead that campaign, and the United Church of Christ played a leading role in mobilizing interfaith support. The Netowrk has worked tirelessly since that historic occasion worked for the freedom of the remaining Puerto Rican Political Prisoners, and Carlos’ release is a victory for us all. We hope to raise $15,000 in pledges by July 19.

We are asking supporters to pledge their support to Carlos Alberto Torres with a donation:

1) Donate directly through PayPal. Click on the “donate” button on the right column.

2) If you cannot donate electronically, click on the “Carlos Alberto Re-entry Fund” page and fill out the form. A member of National Boricua Human Rights Network will follow up with you about submitting your donation to us. Here is the submission information, also available on the Re-entry Fund page:

Please make checks out to NBHRN and write “CAT reentry fund in the memo.” Mail to National Boricua Human Rights Network, 2739 W. Division St, Chicago, IL 60622, c/o Michelle Morales

Several of those arrested in 1985 and 1986  negotiated a plea agreement with the U.S., admitting that while the U.S. thought their actions were criminal, they were acting in support of the independence of Puerto Rico. Avelino stuck a similar plea agreement, and on May 26, the court sentenced him to 7 years in prison, as well as to restitution of the money, for the charges of foreign transportation of stolen money and conspiracy to rob federally insured bank funds.

Several family members including his wife and sons, as well as political supporters, were present for the sentencing.

Two others alleged to have participated in the action, Víctor Gerena and Norberto González Claudio, Avelino’s brother, are still wanted by the F.B.I.

Having been in custody since February of 2008, Avelino will serve an additional two and a half years— significant, given that this 67 year old man was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease during his time in jail. The government has not disclosed which prison he will be assigned to.

Resources:
José A. Delgado, “Siete años de cárcel contra preso político: Fue sentenciado por el robo a la Wells Fargo, El Nuevo Día, May 27, 2010,
http://www.elnuevodia.com/sieteanosdecarcelcontrapresopolitico-711913.html;

Rosita Marrero, “Siete años de prisión por participar de robo a la Wells Fargo,” Primera Hora, May 26, 2010,
http://www.primerahora.com/sieteanosdeprisionporparticiparderoboalawellsfargo-389751.html;

Stephanie Reitz, AP, “EEUU: 7 años de cárcel a puertorriqueño por robo a camión,” El Nuevo Herald, May 26, 2010,
http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2010/05/26/728863/eeuu-7-anos-de-carcel-a-puertorriqueno.html.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons [BOP] has turned down requests that Puerto Rican political prisoner Oscar López Rivera be allowed an emergency furlough, to travel to the bedside of his sister, Clara López Rivera, in intensive care in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

The BOP claims that López does not meet the criteria, that a prisoner can have no more than two years left to serve on his sentence to be eligible. In refusing to exercise discretion to grant the requests from López’ attorney, the National Boricua Human Rights Network and the Human Rights Committee of Puerto Rico for this humanitarian relief, the BOP ignores more than 1,000 letters of support from the U.S. and Puerto Rico, collected in just 48 hours. It also ignores the fact that if López had accepted the terms of president Clinton’s 1999 clemency offer, he would have been released last September.

While the denial is consistent with the BOP’s history of abusive treatment of López and other Puerto Rican political prisoners, there is precedent for such furloughs: in 1977, Nationalist prisoners Lolita Lebrón and Rafael Cancel Miranda were both allowed to attend funerals of immediate family members, with many years yet to serve on their lengthy sentences.

During this stressful moment, López’ only contact with his family is through telephone, and he must measure each call, as he has limited access to the phone. His older sister Clara has been a formative force in his life. It now appears unlikely that she will live long enough to enjoy life with her little brother upon his release from prison.

Messages of support can be sent to him at:

Oscar López Rivera
87651-024
FCI Terre Haute
Box 33
Terre Haute, IN 47808

The National Boricua Human Rights Network and the Human Rights Committee of Puerto Rico have the great and historic pleasure of announcing that Puerto Rican political prisoner Carlos Alberto Torres, after serving 30 years in U.S. prisons for his commitment to the independence of his nation, will be released on parole in July of this year, to reside in Puerto Rico.

This historic release is due to Carlos Alberto’s maintaining his integrity and commitment throughout three decades behind bars, and to the support of the people of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican communities in the U.S., as well as those who support human rights throughout the world. This broad support was key in winning his release, and he is looking forward to expressing his gratitude in person.

For no legitimate reason, he was made to serve almost 11 years more than his compatriots who were released in 1999, when president Clinton deemed their sentences to be disproportionately lengthy. The United States stands out as the country whose political prisoners serve among the longest sentences in the world.

Two Puerto Rican political prisoners remain in U.S. custody. Oscar López Rivera, who this month will mark his 29th year in prison, is not scheduled for release until 2023; and Avelino González Claudio, who this month will be sentenced to a term not to exceed 7 years. While planning the celebration of Carlos Alberto’s release, the National Boricua Human Rights Network and the Human Rights Committee of Puerto Rico will continue to work for the release of both remaining political prisoners.

Contacts:

in the U.S.: Alejandro Molina 312/296-7210

in Puerto Rico: Eduardo Villanueva 787/612-7840

Carlos Alberto Torres is completing his 30th year behind bars this weekend.

In the 1970s, he worked in a movement pushing for Puerto Rican independence from the United States. Authorities say Torres participated in a faction that set off bombs. In 1981, a jury found him guilty of seditious conspiracy…

The U.S. Parole Commission in January held a hearing on whether to release Torres. A spokeswoman says the decision will come “soon.”

Torres’ backers are raising funds for his cause tonight in Chicago.

Read and/or listen to this brief report by Chip Mitchell.

Thirty years ago, on a day like today, a group of Puerto Rican men and women faced the dawn to fulfill their patriotic duty. Although the events of that day would taint the date (as the song says) as that damned 4th of April of Puerto Rican daring; a day that would become a symbol of resistance, valor and sacrifice.

On an April 4th, Puerto Rican men and women dedicated their lives, prepared to pay with interest the debt we all owe, not only to those who in the past defended The Homeland with sacrifice, but also with the hope that the load would be lighter for those who will struggle in the generations to come. We affirm that The Homeland is ours, and it is our responsibility to defend it. Today we commemorate the contributions to our struggle, not only remembering the past, but also affirming today, with our voice and our action, our commitment to the force that our struggle requires of each and every one of us.

Today I again state and reaffirm my thanks to all of you who, with your energetic solidarity and commitment, will make possible not only the release of the Puerto Rican political prisoners, but will also make a reality the aspiration for a liberated Homeland.

Thank you.

Carlos Alberto Torres April 3, 2010

A 15 Day Interactive Art Installation at Batey Urbano, 2620 W. Division St., and will run 15 days consecutively from March 19th- April 3rd.

The National Boricua Human Rights Network (NBHRN) is excited to announce the opening of an art installation titled: “The Experience of Puerto Rican political prisoner Carlos Alberto Torres: 30 Years Behind Bars”

In response to the 30th year of incarceration of Puerto Rican Political Prisoner Carlos Alberto Torres, the NBHRN has recreated the isolation of prison. One participant has volunteered to spend 24 hours in a makeshift prison cell, with only notepad, pencil and book for comfort.

View the entire photo album on Facebook.

The installation will take place at the Batey Urbano, 2620 W. Division in Chicago and will run 15 days consecutively from March 19th – April 3rd. This project will be taking place simultaneously in four locations: Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and San Juan, Puerto Rico. People can stop by and view the cell and participants 24 hours a day and learn more about Carlos Alberto Torres and the other remaining Puerto Rican political prisoners, Oscar Lopez Rivera and Avelino González Claudio. The project will end with former Puerto Rican political prisoner Ricardo Jimenez being the last prisoner and a culminating activity—Jornada 360—on Saturday, April 3rd at 6pm, which will showcase 360 months (30 years) of activism, struggle & resistance.

Carlos Alberto Torres was arrested in 1980, accused of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 78 years in federal prison. April 4, 2010 will mark the 30th year of his incarceration, making him the longest held political prisoner in Puerto Rican history. In response to the 30th year of incarceration of Carlos Alberto Torres, the National Boricua Human Rights Network has recreated the isolation by the US Government of one of Puerto Rico’s patriots. This project is also to bring awareness about political prisoners that are being held in US Federal prisons and to show the US government the support there is for the release of Carlos Alberto.

Commemorating the capture of the Puerto Rican political prisoners
Celebrating 30 years of activism

Reflections by former political prisoners Luis Rosa and Alicia Rodríguez

Showcasing 30 years of campaign art and literature

April 3rd, 6-9pm
Batey Urbano, 2620 W Division Street

Download a pdf version of the leaflet below.