> > WW News Service Digest #89 > > 1) Vieques: latest developments > by "WW" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >This digest is sent to you because you are subscribed to ><[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. >To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To switch to the non-digest, standard mode, E-mail to ><[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > >Message-ID: <004b01bfb602$13aeb5f0$[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >From: "WW" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: [WW] Vieques: latest developments >Date: Thu, 4 May 2000 15:49:57 -0400 >Content-Type: text/plain; > charset="iso-8859-1" >Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > >From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Sent: Thursday, May 04, 2000 1:58 PM >Subject: Vieques: latest developments > > >LATEST DEVELOPMENTS ON VIEQUES > >The U.S. government moved in early this morning, May 4 and arrested 150 >people in Vieques. Despite the Puerto Rican peoples strong and mass >message over the recent period that they want the U.S. Navy out of Vieques, >the Clinton Administration and the Pentagon defied the Puerto Rican people >and carried out this repressive attack. > >The arrests are being strongly denounced by the IAC as well as many other >organizations in the U.S. Included in the arrests we believe were Ismael >Guadalupe, a key leader, Nilda Medina from the Women's group on Vieques, >Roberto Rabin, as well as NYC Council Member Jose Rivera and >Congressperson Nydia Velasques. > >The IAC is encouraging its members and supporters to attend and organize >for the demonstrations being organized throughout the U.S. Despite heavy >demands and constrains on the program, we will make sure that Vieques is >referred to as many times as the program will allow at the historic Madison >Square Garden event for Mumia this Sunday. > >In NYC, two demonstrations will take place that the IAC is activity >organizing >for. On Thursday, May 04, 2000 a demo will take place at 5pm in front of >the >US Recruiting Station on Fodham Road and Grand Concourse in the Bronx. >Take the D train to Fordham Road. > >On Friday, May 5 at Times Square 43rd and Broadway at 5pm there will be >another demonstration to protest the arrests. The events are being >organized >by the Vieques Support Campaign, Todo NY for Vieques and Todo El Barrio >for Vieques. > >There are also events in Philadelphia, Boston, San Francisco and other >events. Please check the IAC website for contact information or the web >site >of Vieques Libre -http://www.viequeslibre.org > >**FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE >FROM THE INTERNATIONAL ACTION CENTER** > >FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE > >For more information: Monica Somocurcio/Teresa Gutierrez >May 4, 2000 > >ANTI-WAR ACTIVISTS DEMAND: >"PENTAGON HANDS OFF VIEQUES!" >STOP THE ATTACKS ON THE PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO > >In an act of brazen colonial brutality, U.S. President Bill Clinton ordered >Federal Marshals and FBI agents along with thousands of U.S. >troops-combat-equipped Marines-into battle. The victims of this >aggression are unarmed Puerto Rican civilians defending their land-the >island of Vieques-from U.S. Navy bombardment. > >The International Action Center condemns in the strongest manner the U.S. >government's decision to assault the peaceful demonstrators occupying >Puerto Rican soil in Vieques. The people of Puerto Rico have overwhelmingly >shown that they do not want the U.S. Naval occupation of Vieques. >President Clinton's decision to use force against the Puerto Ricans in >Vieques is a blatant violation of the most basic rights of >self-determination >and an act of colonial brutality. > >Demonstrations are taking place in Puerto Rico and in cities across the >United States against this latest U.S. aggression against Puerto Rico. The >IAC is taking part in these actions around the country in solidarity with >the >people of Puerto Rico. > >Puerto Ricans have shown unprecedented unity in demanding an end to the >Navy occupation of Vieques since civilian David Sanes was killed by a Navy >bomb in April 1999. Their message has been clear: "Not one more bomb!" >Hundreds of people have set up civil disobedience encampments on the >training grounds, stopping the military exercises. > >The attack took place three days after thousands of workers and their >supporters marched through the streets of San Juan on May Day. The march >expressed solidarity with the Vieques encampments. > >"Clinton's flagrant disregard for the will of the Puerto Rican people is an >act >of supreme colonial arrogance," said IAC spokesperson Monica Somocurcio. >Puerto Rico was invaded by the United States in 1898, never being granted >the right to self-determination. > >"Now, in the 21st Century, the president of the world's only military >superpower is sending federal agents and military troops against peaceful >civilian demonstrators," Somocurcio added. > >"We call on activists across the country to stand up against this attack on >the Puerto Rican people," said Philadelphia IAC leader Berta Joubert-Ceci. >Joubert-Ceci traveled to Vieques in 1999 to express solidarity with the >encampments. > >Over 13 percent of Puerto Rico's land is occupied by Pentagon military >bases. The Southern Army of the U.S. Southern Command-the primary arm >for U.S. military intervention in Latin America-moved to Puerto Rico from >Panama in 1999. > >"As activists in the United States-the most powerful military power in the >world-we extend our solidarity to the just struggle of the people of Puerto >Rico," said IAC organizer Teresa Gutierrez. "The Puerto Rican people must >have the right to cancel any and all contracts with the Pentagon, >immediately >and without penalty. > >"On the contrary, the Pentagon owes the people of Puerto Rico billions of >dollars in reparations for environmental damage, violations of public >health, >and unpaid use of land and resources." > >The Pentagon occupation of Puerto Rico-from Vieques to the other areas of >the Roosevelt Roads complex-is an act of colonial arrogance. > >It has to end now. The resistance of the Puerto Rican people will not be in >vain. > >International Action Center >39 West 14th Street, Room 206 >New York, NY 10011 >email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >web: www.iacenter.org >CHECK OUT THE NEW SITE www.mumia2000.org >phone: 212 633-6646 >fax: 212 633-2889 > > > __________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___________________________________ [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe/unsubscribe messages mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________
