National Boricua Human Rights Network » La Red

NBHRN Meets in NYC; Former PPS Present; Adds Chapters to Grow the Campaign to Free Oscar and Carlos

miguel — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:28:28 +0000

On December 12th, NBHRN convened an organizers conference titled “Bring Them Home” in order to advance the national campaign for the release of the Puerto Rican political prisoners. Held at Hostos Community College in the Bronx, over 130 community leaders and students came out to brainstorm and plan the campaign for 2010. Elected officials Jose Rivera and Melissa Mark Viverito where present as well as former political prisoners Luis Rosa, Adolfo Matos, and Ricardo Jiménez. The evenings highlight was a celebration of the creation of the Puerto Rican flag and the birthday of Bronx Assemblyman José Rivera at Hostos Community College’s theater. Several salsa bands performed including Son de la Loma and La Excelencia. The concert ended with a memorable performance by legendary sonero José Alberto “El Canario.”

See article, “NBHRN Call to Re-Energize Campaign to Free Oscar and Carlos, HostosCC 12-12-09.” for slide show.

Tenth Anniversary of the Freedom of the Puerto Rican Political Prisoners Approaches

miguel — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:38:18 +0000

(Spanish article below)

September 10, 2009, will mark the tenth anniversary of an historic moment, when eleven Puerto Rican political prisoners walked out of federal prisons, having served 16 and 20 years behind bars for their commitment to the independence of Puerto Rico. President Bill Clinton commuted the sentences of Edwin Cortés, Elizam Escobar, Ricardo Jiménez, Adolfo Matos, Dylcia Pagán, Alberto Rodríguez, Alicia Rodríguez, Lucy Rodríguez, Luis Rosa, Alejandrina Torres, Carmen Valentín, in response to an international campaign for their release, supported by Nobel laureates and church and civic leaders from Puerto Rico, the U.S. and throughout the world. He based his decision on the fact that they had not committed any acts resulting in death or bodily injury, that they had served a significant amount of time in jail, and that their sentences were disproportionately long. The people of Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican communities in the U.S. gave them a hero’s welcome, embracing them with offers of housing and employment, lauding them with honors, inviting them to speak, to share their experience with a people hungry for contact with them. Reuniting with their families, settling into jobs, they immediately integrated into civil society. Over the decade they have led and served society, each in his or her own unique way, working in health care, education, arts and culture, media, and law, caring for and supporting their families, volunteering in the community. Perhaps one of the most significant activities in which they have all participated is the campaign for the release of their compatriots Oscar López Rivera and Carlos Alberto Torres, who were not released in 1999, and who have now served an astounding 28 and 29 years in prison. The ten year anniversary will thus be marked by celebration of the historic accomplishment of their release, and by a redoubling of our efforts to bring Oscar and Carlos Alberto home.

Décimo Aniversario

El 10 de septiembre del 2009 se conmemorará el décimo aniversario del momento histórico en que 11 prisioneros políticos puertorriqueños salieron de las cárceles federales luego de haber pasado entre 16 y 20 años tras las rejas, debido a su compromiso con la independencia de Puerto Rico.

El Presidente Bill Clinton conmutó las sentencias de Edwin Cortes, Elizam Escobar, Ricardo Jiménez, Adolfo Matos, Dylcia Pagán, Alberto Rodríguez, Alicia Rodríguez, Lucy Rodríguez, Luis Rosa, Alejandrina Torres, y Carmen Valentín, debido a una campaña internacional a favor de su excarcelación, la cual contó con el apoyo de ganadores del premio Nobel, al igual que líderes cívicos y religiosos de Puerto Rico, los Estados Unidos, y el resto del mundo. El presidente basó su decisión en el hecho de que los ex prisioneros no habían incurrido en actos que resultaran en la muerte o lesión de otros, que ya habían estado encarcelados por un período considerable, y que las sentencias que les habían asignado eran desproporcionadamente largas.

El pueblo de Puerto Rico y las comunidades puertorriqueñas en los Estados Unidos los recibieron como héroes. Los abrazaron, les ofrecieron empleo y vivienda, los honraron con reconocimientos. Los invitaban a hablar, y a compartir sus experiencias con un pueblo ansioso por conocerlos y comunicarse con ellos.

Una vez regresaron a sus familias, se incorporaron al trabajo y se reintegraron a la sociedad civil. En los últimos 10 años, cada uno de estos ex prisioneros ha aportado a la sociedad a su modo, en los campos de la salud, la enseñanza, las artes y la cultura, los medios y las leyes. Mantienen y apoyan a sus familias, y realizan labores voluntarias en sus comunidades. Uno de los esfuerzos tal vez mas significativos que ha contado con su apoyo es la campaña por la excarcelación de sus compañeros Oscar López Rivera y Carlos Alberto Torres, quienes no fueron excarcelados en el 1999. Estos ya llevan entre 28 y 29 años en prisión. Por ello, en el décimo aniversario de la excarcelación de los prisioneros políticos puertorriqueños celebraremos el logro histórico de su libertad, y redoblaremos nuestros esfuerzos por regresar a Oscar y a Carlos Alberto a casa.

Hostos Grand Jury Briefs

miguel — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:21:57 +0000

Tania Frontera and Christopher Torres’ grand jury subpoenas have not been dropped. The government finally did respond to the defendant’s motion, but its content is still under seal (kept secret). The lawyers did file a “motion to quash” the subpoenas and the judge has not ruled nor has set a court date. We will keep you informed.

Update on Father Luis Barrios-his health condition is better, he was placed in general population and the prison has not yet approved his wife’s visit. The President of John Jay College sent a letter protesting Professor Barrios inhumane conditions. The warden was not pleased and subsequently asked Luis to sign a retraction. Luis refused. We will keep you informed.

Informe Gran Jurado

La citación del Gran Jurado Federal contra Tania Frontera y Christopher Torres para comparecer ante ese tribunal aún siguen vigentes. Hasta esta fecha el gobierno ha cumplido con la orden del juez para producir los agentes envueltos en la vigilancia electrónica pero los documentos están bajo sello. Los abogado han sometido una moción para desestimar la citaciones pero hasta la fecha el juez no ha sentado fecha.

La salud de Profesor Luis Barrios (Reverendo) esta mejorando. Está en población general, pero la prisión aún todavía no ha aprobado la visita de su esposa. El presidente del Colegio John Jay mandó una carta denunciando las condiciones infrahumanas a las cual estaba sujeto el compañero. El alcalde del MCC le pidió a Luis que firmara una retracción. Luis rehusó.

1980-2009: Network Commemorates 29th Anniversary of the Puerto Rican Political Prisoners’ Capture

miguel — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:15:37 +0000

(Spanish article below)

On April 4, 2009, the National Boricua Human Rights Network (NBHRN) held its annual activity to commemorate the capture of the Puerto Rican political prisoners – which took place on April 4, 1980. The event, held at the Batey Urbano, featured Luis Rosa & Ida Luz Rodriguez – both ex-political prisoners, Deborah Berman Santana – the leading expert on the clean up and further contamination of Vieques, and Eduardo Villanueva – ex-President of the Puerto Rican Bar Association and currently the coordinator of the Comité Pro-Derechos Humanos in Puerto Rico. The night included cultural performances by the Batey poets, guest performer Marta Rodríguez, SieteNueve and Paseo Boricua’s very own Nuestro Tambo. Over 100 people attended the activity.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

1980-2009: La Red conmemora el vigésimo noveno aniversario de la captura de los presos políticos puertorriqueños

El 4 de abril del 2009, la Red Nacional Boricua Pro-Derechos Humanos, (NBHRN) celebró su actividad anual para conmemorar la captura de los Prisioneros Políticos puertorriqueños—ocurrió el 4 de abril del 1980. La actividad se llevó a cabo en el Batey Urbano, y contó con la participación de Luis Rosa e Ida Luz Rodríguez – ambos ex prisioneros políticos. También se dirigieron al público Deborah Berman Santana—la experta principal en los asuntos relacionados a la limpieza y contaminación de Vieques, y Eduardo Villanueva—ex presidente del Colegio de Abogados de Puerto Rico, y coordinador actual del Comité Pro-Derechos Humanos en Puerto Rico. Durante estos actos conmemorativos, hubo presentaciones culturales, las cuales contaron con las aportaciones de los poetas del Batey, la cantante Marta Rodríguez, SieteNueve, y los pleneros del Paseo Boricua, Nuestro Tambo. Más de 100 personas acudieron a la conmemoración.

Vieques, La Lucha Continúa: Reflections on 10 Years Since the Death of David Sanes

miguel — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:31:41 +0000

By Déborah Berman Santana

(Spanish article below)

April 19, 2009, marks ten years since a U.S. Marines pilot missed his target while bombing Vieques, killing civilian guard David Sanes Rodríguez. David was not the first Viequense to die at the hands of the military; however, his death was the “drop that overflowed the cup” of more than sixty years of military occupation of three fourths of Vieques’ land, causing economic stagnation and ecological devastation. David’s death united Puerto Ricans in a show of resistance whose messages reverberated worldwide: Not one more bomb! Navy out! Peace for Vieques! Four intense years of militant, nonviolence civil disobedience, including thousands of arrests, forced the Navy to close its base on May 1, 2003.

Nonetheless, the base closure signaled merely the end of one phase of the Vieques struggle, where “true peace” has been locally defined as “the Four D’s”: Demilitarization, Decontamination, Devolution (return of lands), and (sustainable) Development by and for Viequenses. Six years after the base closed –– ten years since David’s death—where is Vieques?

Demilitarization: While bombings and other military maneuvers were halted, the military still operates powerful ROTHR radar and radio towers on Mount Pirata, officially for the “war on drugs”; however, evidence points to use for electronic warfare, including weather modification.

Decontamination: The Navy is responsible for environmental cleanup. Since the land is designated as a “wildlife refuge” required cleanup levels are insufficient, particularly for a population suffering from the health effects of contamination from all kinds of military weapons. Activists are currently fighting the Navy’s plan to simply burn the vegetation in the bombing range, using a variety of strategies – including risking arrest by entering the bombing range and once again serving as human shields to defend Vieques.

Devolution: The ex-base lands are still under U.S. Government control, which not only restricts Viequenses’ use of their island, but also carries the risk of re-militarization. Activists recently met to plan a strategy that would eventually return the lands to the people of Vieques.

Development: Worldwide attention to Vieques also attracted land speculators and other well-heeled outsiders who have caused property values to skyrocket, thus endangering the Viequenses’ ability to afford to stay on their own island. Creation of a Vieques Community Land Trust – one of the few mechanisms in a capitalist market – would help put brakes on land prices and also provide an entity that could receive and administer the returned lands. If Viequenses can manage to recover their beloved island, care for and develop it, and stabilize their community, David Sanes’ death will have not been in vain.

abril del 2009

Vieques, la lucha continúa:
Reflexiones a los diez años de la muerte de David Sanes

Por Déborah Berman Santana

El 19 de abril del 2009, se cumplirán diez años del incidente en que un piloto de la marina norteamericana se desvió de su objetivo durante un bombardeo en Vieques, y ocasionó la muerte del guardia civil David Sanes Rodríguez. David no fue el primer civil en morir a manos del ejército norteamericano; pero su muerte fue la “última gota en colmar la copa” de mas de 60 años de ocupación militar de mas de tres cuartas partes del territorio viequense; ocupación que solo ha traído el estancamiento económico y la devastación ecológica. La muerte de David unió a los puertorriqueños en una manifestación de resistencia, y el mensaje de esta se hizo sentir en todo el mundo. ¡Ni una bomba mas! ¡Fuera la marina! ¡Paz para Vieques! Luego de cuatro años intensos de desobediencia civil militante y pacífica, en los cuales se dieron miles de arrestos, la marina fue obligada a cerrar su base militar el 1 de mayo del 2003.

No obstante, el cierre de la base solo significó el fin de una etapa de la lucha de Vieques, en donde la “paz verdadera” que buscan los viequenses ha sido definida como las cuatro D’s”. Estas son: la desmilitarización, descontaminación, y la devolución, (el regreso de las tierras, así como su desarrollo sostenible bajo la dirección y para el beneficio de los viequenses.) A seis años del cierre de la base y diez años de la muerte de David Sanes, ¿cual es la situación de Vieques?

Desmilitarización: Aunque los bombardeos y otros ejercicios militares han sido frenados, el ejército aún mantiene poderosos radares ROTHR y torres radiales en el Monte Pirata. Estos según la versión oficial del ejército forman parte de la “guerra contra las drogas”; sin embargo, la evidencia sugiere que el equipo está siendo utilizado en ejercicios de la guerra electrónica, los cuales incluyen modificaciones climatológicas.

Descontaminación: La marina es responsable de la limpieza del ambiente de Vieques. Como el territorio fue designado como refugio para la vida silvestre,” los niveles de limpieza que estos lugares exigen son insuficientes, especialmente para una población cuya salud sufre los efectos de la contaminación mediante el uso de toda clase de armamentos militares. En estos momentos los activistas están tratando de impedir que la marina queme la vegetación en los campos de prácticas de bombardeo. Para ello se están valiendo de una diversidad de estrategias – que incluyen enfrentar los arrestos y entrar a esos campos para convertirse una vez mas en escudos humanos para proteger a Vieques.

Devolución: Las tierras que antes componían la base militar aún están bajo el control del gobierno estadounidense – cosa que no solo limita el uso de las mismas por los viequenses, sino que las pone en riesgo de ser militarizadas nuevamente. Recientemente los activistas se reunieron para desarrollar una estrategia que logre la devolución de esas tierras a manos de los viequenses de una vez y por todas.

Desarrollo: La atención mundial lograda por Vieques también atrajo la atención de especuladores y otros extranjeros, lo cual ha ocasionado un alza dramática en el valor de la propiedad. Esto también pone en peligro la habilidad de los viequenses de permanecer en su propia isla. La creación de un fideicomiso comunal es uno de los pocos mecanismos dentro del mercado capitalista que podría en alguna medida frenar el alza del precio de las tierras. También crearía una entidad que podría recibir y administrar las tierras una vez sean regresadas. Si los viequenses pueden recobrar su amada isla, cuidarla, desarrollarla, y darle estabilidad a sus comunidades, la muerte de David Sanes no habrá sido en vano.

In Memorium: Black Political Prisoner Bashir Hameed (1940 – 2008)

peter — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:32:44 +0000

Bashir Hameed

Long time Black Liberation Political Prisoner Bashir Hameed died August 30, 2008 at the age 67, from complications of a triple bypass surgery at the New York prison system. Formerly James York, Hameed was born and raised in New Jersey. In 1982, Bashir and a former BPP comrade, Abdul Majid (formerly Anthony LaBorde), were charged and later convicted of the murder of two police officers, a case known as the Queens Two. In almost three decades of incarceration, Bashir, a devout Muslim, applied his religious and political principles to the struggle against injustice and racism behind the walls, gaining wide respect among prisoners.

The photo was taken from Pan-African News Wire File Photos’ photostream.

Human Rights Committee in Puerto Rico announces a Fast for Release of Puerto Rican Political Prisoners

peter — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:17:42 +0000

A 72 hour fast to demand the release of three Puerto Rican political prisoners will be

the next step of the Human Rights Committee of Puerto Rico, in the campaign for the

freedom of prisoners Oscar López Rivera, Carlos Alberto Torres and Avelino González

Claudio.

“They are prisoners for their struggle for the (political) freedom of the Puerto Rican

people, for their social struggle against racism, discrimination and other social issues,”

said attorney Eduardo Villanueva, chair of the Committee which was created 13 years

ago and which, for the past five years, has focused its efforts advocating for the pardon

of the Puerto Ricans imprisoned in U.S. prisons, accused of seditious conspiracy.

The fast will take place from early Friday morning through Sunday at 7:00 p.m. As an act

of solidarity, in Plaza Colón in old San Juan, several cultural activities will take place,

including a night of poetry (Friday), an arts and crafts fair which will include graphic

arts (Saturday), the play “The shipwreck of Freedom” (Saturday night) and a concert

with the participation of Danny Rivera and Los Reyes Magos Cantores (sunday).

Oscar López Rivera, 65 years old, was sentenced to 78 years in prison, while Carlos

Torres, 55 years old, is serving a sentence of 88 years. Both were tied to the Armed

Forces of National Liberation (FALN) and have served 26 and 27 years, respectively, of

their sentences. Avelino González Claudio, 65 years old, is being held in a maximum

security federal prison since being arrested last year at his home in Manatí after 22 years

in clandestiny. Linked to The Macheteros, he is accused of alleged participation in the

theft of $7 million from a Wells Fargo armored car in Connecticut in 1983.

His trial will begin in a month.

Commemoration of April 4th: Over 200 Delight in Mapeyé Concert of Corretjer Poetry

miguel — Sun, 18 May 2008 01:35:21 +0000

On April 4, over 200 people crowded into Casa Puertorriqueña for the National Boricua Human Rights Network’s (NBHRN) annual fundraiser, entitled “Legacies of Corretjer: Narratives of Resistance and Struggle.” The evening also commemorated the 1980 April 4th arrest and incarceration of 15 Puerto Rican political prisoners (two prisoners, Oscar López Rivera and Carlos Alberto Torres, are still incarcerated). The event featured a performance by Orchestra Mapeyé, a musical group that plays traditional Puerto Rican music, and Siete Nueve, a socially conscious hip-hop artist from Villa Palmeras, Puerto Rico. Eduardo Villanueva, former head of the Puerto Rican Bar Association, spoke movingly about the legacy of Juan Antonio Corretjer, the former Secretary-General of the Nationalist Party whose 100th birthday provided the theme for the evening. Alicia Rodríguez, former political prisoner, along with Tania Frontera, a grand jury resister from New York, were honored by the NBHRN for their continuation of Corretjer’s work. The event also included a slide show of historic and current images, compiled by Jonathon Rivera. In attendance for the evening were community activists and residents, as well as local and national political leaders, including Congressmen Luis Gutiérrez. A highlight of the evening occurred when Mapeyé dedicated a song about the situation of undocumented Mexican immigrants to Flor Crisostomo from Adalberto United Methodist Church, an institution that works on immigration issues.

See “April 4th Concert with Orquesta Mapeyé” for flickr photo slide show of the event.

In Memorium: Qwusu Yaki Yakubu

miguel — Sun, 18 May 2008 01:19:51 +0000

Qwusu Yaki Yakubu (aka James Sayles) was an extraordinary human being. He died on March 28, 2008, at age 60 after spending almost 40 years in prison. Yaki was a revolutionary, a nationalist and an internationalist in the spirit of Malcolm X. He was an activist and theoretician, and a writer and editor of several influential journals.

Yaki gave leadership to the struggle to free the Pontiac Brothers, a successful fight against the death penalty, and he helped lead the campaign to free C number prisoners (hundreds of prisoners unfairly held).

A memorial service was held on April 5, an outpouring of love, admiration and respect from ex-prisoners, family members and many others, including JosÃ© LÃ³pez from the Puerto Rican Cultural Center who spoke of how Yaki understood that nationalism and internationalism must go hand in hand.

As one speaker said: â€œWe love you, Yaki. We love you for being a husband, a father, a friend and a great human being with a smile that we saw far too rarely. And we love you for being a revolutionary.â€

Read extended version.

Community Premiere of Crime Against Humanity

miguel — Sat, 17 May 2008 23:23:41 +0000

On April, 5, 2008, the Batey Urbano and the National Boricua Human Rights Network (NBHRN) debuted their play Crime Against Humanity to the Humboldt Park community. Over 40 persons attended that opening, with such notables attendees as Miguel Palacio of Association House, ex-political prisoner José Luis Rodríguez, Jan Susler of the People’s Law Office and many more. That night began with a dinner with ex-political prisoner Luis Rosa, the co-writer of the play. He and his family watched the play and felt deeply impacted. Many in the audience felt that the actors truly captured the essence of what it is like to be in prison and truly internalized the feelings of the former and current political prisoners. It was a successful evening, raising over $400. The play has shown in Chicago throughout the entire month of April, with over 150 individuals seeing it. It has also shown at various universities such as Northeastern Illinois University, University of Illinois at Chicago and DePaul University. Over 800 people have been able to experience the play and learn about the political prisoners. In May, the play will tour the east coast with showings in Fitchburg, MA, Cleveland, NY, Hartford, CT, and Boston.

Crime Against Humanity is a co-production by the Batey Urbano & the National Boricua Human Rights Network. It is comprised of 27 scenes taken from interviews held with the ex-political prisoners and written correspondence with the 2 remaining political prisoners makes this play truly an experience with watch. It is the effort of the Batey Urbano and the NBHRN to use this play to educate people about the issue of the political prisoners, to further expose the injustice that two men are still in prison after 28 years and to reinvigorate the campaign for their release.