NBHRN Commemorates El Grito de Lares in the Diaspora dedicated to Oscar López Rivera

During the weekend of September 21st -23rd Lourdes Lugo spoke at Villa Victoria. According to organizers and community members it had been 10 years since the last celebration of El Grito de Lares. The community that continues to struggle to keep itself, as it is completely surrounded by condos and town houses who’s starting price is $450,000.00, once again came out to affirm its roots as it continue to fight to keep its identity and cultural relevance. There local musicians, singers, artist, elder and young gathered to share stories and listen to speakers present the historical accounts of El Grito de Lares. Lourdes Lugo brought September 23rd, 1868 to the present and the continued incarceration of Oscar Lopez Rivera. The audience was moved and over 40 signatures were gathered in support of his release. Community members had a fresh memory of the former political prisoners and understood the urgency to join the efforts to bring him home.

On Saturday September 22nd, 2012 Lourdes Lugo spoke at a more intimate community gathering in Fitchburg, Ma. There she explained the link of the El Grito de Lares and the on going fight to release her uncle Oscar Lopez Rivera. Just lie in Villa Victoria, the memory of the community held, and they also joined in the effort to Free Oscar Lopez Rivera by signing the petition, purchasing t-shirts and agreeing to collect more signature and join the efforts of his release. On behalf of National Boricua Human Rights we thank the efforts of the community organizers to re-ignite the historical memory, and help others remember that El Grito de Lares is Puerto Rico and Oscar Lopez Rivera belongs to us all.