Greetings and warm hugs for you and the good people of Philly.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you and to all the good people in Philly for the support you and they have given me. The past year was amazing and extraordinary for the campaign in support of my release. The greatness of our people’s heart, in Puerto Rico and the diaspora, has made it possible for the campaign to achieve the great success that has been obtained thus far. Their hearts are full of love and compassion, and they have never hesitated to solidarize themselves with just and noble causes.
During the years I’ve been in prison, I’ve been asked if and how I can celebrate Xmas in such dehumanizing and hostile conditions. I tell them I can celebrate it with the sheer strength and creativity of my spirit. This is the 33rd Xmas I’ve celebrated in the gulags. During all these years, I’ve celebrated Xmas in the hole, in solitary confinement, in penitentiaries with a control and sensory deprivation regimen and in places of lesser security like here. I have been able to do it in spite of the challenges and the circumstances I’ve had to face, because of the solidarity and support I’ve received from the good people of the outside world and the spiritual strength the just and noble cause I’ve chosen to serve provides me.
I can’t quantify the strength and hopes the solidarity I’ve received has given me. But I’ve witnessed prisoners in the same circumstances who have never received any support, visit from the family and community and aren’t even able to make the two phone calls a month they get while imprisoned in solitary confinement, and I have seen how such deleterious conditions have affected them. They have been broken spiritually and, in many cases, mentally. They exist without hope and faith. On the other hand, I’ve have survived and today I feel as much hope and spiritual strength as I did when I came to prison. And hopefully, some day, I can walk out of here with my honor, will, spirit and dignity intact.
I wish the New Year brings you much success, prosperity, happiness, good health, peace and love. To all big hugs with lots of love, but with short Puerto Rican arms. EN RESISTENCIA Y LUCHA, olr.