[Via Communist Internet... http://www.egroups.com/group/Communist-Internet ] . . ----- Original Message ----- From: Downwithcapitalism <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2001 3:29 PM Subject: [downwithcapitalism] Vieques struggle - update Associated Press. 23 June 2001. Protesters Thwart Vieques Bombing Runs. Excerpts. VIEQUES -- On a hilltop 500 feet above the Caribbean, sailors and technicians scan the island below using binoculars and telescopes to watch for protesters who claim they've been stopping bombing runs. Spotting them in the thick brush can be hard from the glass-enclosed tower. Trespassing protesters interrupted bombing at least once this week, and Navy officials said Friday that the protesters were making their job a bit more difficult. "It's a new challenge," said Gary Andersen, a civilian range control officer who has work on Vieques since 1981. "In the past, it was a lot easier." Six camouflage-clad protesters nursing bruises and cuts said they emerged from the U.S. Navy's firing range Friday after evading patrols since Sunday. They said they succeeded in stopping fighter jets from dropping inert bombs Tuesday and Wednesday, an account the Navy only partially corroborated. "We did this to end the myth that the Navy is invincible," said protester Rafael Feliciano, a teacher. "Despite their technological superiority, we beat them." Navy spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Katherine Goode said said protesters only 400 yards from the impact zone launched a flare, triggering a search and later forcing airborne jets preparing for a bombing run to turn back. Petty Officer First Class Duanne Cole, a reservist from Little Rock, Ark., said he spotted the flare on a nearby hill while working on security detail in the observation tower. "The last few days, I've seen flares on both sides," he said. "We've been doing 12- to 14-hour shifts." More than 20 people work at the observation post atop the hill known as "OP1," or more commonly "The Rock." Andersen said that with Bush's order to leave Vieques by 2003, "We're concerned because potentially we're going to lose our jobs." Protest leader Robert Rabin said at least 10 demonstrators remain on Navy land and are trying to put themselves in the way of the next bombing run. * * * * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
