More pictures here.

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

Across the US and in Puerto Rico, over a dozen events attended by hundreds commemorated the 30th anniversary of the April 4th, 1980 arrests of the Puerto Rican political prisoners in Evanston, IL. In Chicago, the National Boricua Human Rights Network sponsored the Jornada 360 culminating event, which was preceeded by 15 days by the Cell Project, where 15 volunteers stayed for 24 hours in a 6 x 9 replica of an actual cell, installed at Cafe Batey Urbano. Begining the week before, volunteers and members of the Network began the laborous task of decorating the Batey Urbano with 30 years worth of campaign literature, posters, books and press clippings. Pictures of the Chicago prisoners and the event can be found at http://www.flickr.com/nbhrn.

The Saturday program began with a memorable series of reflections by former political prisoners Alicia Rodriguez, Luis Rosa and Ricardo Jiménez, all of whom spent 20 years in prison before being released by President Clinton in 1999 and the latter who had just been “freed” after spending 24 hours in the cell as the last of 15 volunteers. The entire audience joined in singing happy birthday to Ricardo, who received 3 birthday cakes! After a welcome and introduction by Network Co-cordinator Michelle Morales, the program proceeded with participants walking through the interactive exhibit, which included a historical montage of newsclippings and original pictures of the past 30 years including footage of the demonstration at Evanston police station on April 5, 1980 and a PSA produced last month calling on supporters to download and sign the letter to the parole commission on Carlos Alberto’s behalf. In addition, 20 people, including family and supporters of the campaign as well as some of the young people who were prisoners in the cell project, reflected on their experiences during the 30 years and re-voiced their commitment to free Carlos Alberto and Oscar. In a surprise presentation, compañera Irma Romero received a print of a Luis Rosa painting of Ramón Emeterio Betances,  Michelle Morales received a framed silkscreen print of Lucecita Benitez painted by Oscar López as a fund-raiser of the 50th anniversary of Claridad and Jaime and Lucy Delgado and Alejandro Luis Molina received paintings of themselves by Oscar, all for their commitment to the campaign through the decades.

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.