I know this isn't sunny day related, but please take the time to read this, it's about Puerto Rico, and the shit it has to put up with by the american government... My whole family on both sides all still lives in puerto rico, and this island it talks about is a small island off the coast of PR. My moms whole family owned most of the island... many years back, and the us governmaent took it away from them... for the damn military.. anyways please read this.. my cousin sent this to me. thanks, Jessica... FUERA LA MARINA DE VIEQUES ********************************************************************* April 22, 1999 On April 19, 1999, American F-18 fighter planes, on a routine bombing maneuver over the island of Vieques (a small island of approximately 8,000 inhabitants 7 miles off the SE coast of Puerto Rico belonging to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico), dropped "by mistake" two five-hundred pound bombs on a guard-post on Camp Garcia, US Navy. The incident resulted in the death of David Sanet, a security guard employed by a private company, and the wounding of four others, whose names have not yet been released. The four individuals wounded are being hospitalized at Fort Roosevelt (Puerto Rico), and the US Navy refuses to comment on their condition. This tragedy is only the latest incident in a history of US Naval presence on Vieques that extends back to the early 1940's, when the Navy expropriated 26,000 acres of land, more than 72 percent of the island's total area. This land was stolen primarily to use for artillery drills, bombing exercises, and munitions storage. The effects of this expropriation were devastating to the local population. The Playa Grande Sugar Mill, the center of the island's modest economy, was forced to close, and a severe social and economic crisis ensued. The US Interior Department planned to alleviate this crisis by relocating the island's entire population to Saint Croix, US Virgin Islands, and granting control of the remaining territory to the Navy. Fierce opposition quelled these plans, and every additional attempt at relocation over the course of twenty years. In 1964, the residents of Barrio Esperanza, on Vieques's south coast, organized opposition to stop the last forcible effort to relocate the remaining population. Opposition hasn't been limited to a defensive posture, however. The residents of Vieques have banded together in a number of aggressive efforts to halt the US Military's exploitation of the island. Fishermen of Vieques have demonstrated repeatedly against bombing and against restrictions limiting their use of the sea. There have been numerous demonstrations to raise public awareness to the catastrophic ecological consequences of the Navy's island operations. In 1983, the Governor of Puerto Rico, Carlos Barcelo, added his own voice to the popular opposition by issuing formal charges against the Navy for ecological damage caused to Vieques. Today, in the wake of this senseless bombing, the demonstrations continue. The island's population has vowed to stage continuous protest, and the fishermen have said that they will fish in restricted waters. The Mayor of Vieques, Manuela Santiago, has drafted a "cease and desist" resolution to permanently halt all military operations on the island. This resolution, once passed by the Vieques Municipal Assembly, will serve as the consummate declaration of collective opposition to American Military presence on the island. Please voice your support for the struggle of Vieques by: 1. Appending your name to this petition to President William Clinton and Secretary of Defense William Cohen. 2. Forwarding this petition to as many individuals as possible. If your name on the petition is #50, #100, #150 ... please return it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] Petition to: The President of the United States of America, William Clinton, and US Secretary of Defense, William Cohen. We, the undersigned, are outraged at American Naval operations on the island of Vieques. The more than five decade long use of 72 percent of the island for artillery drills, bombing exercises, and storage of munitions has ravaged the environment, has dislocated the island's population, and has now resulted in loss of human life. In accordance with Vieques Mayor Manuela Santiago's resolution, we petition that the US Navy cease and desist all operations on the island of Vieques. Note: It is best if you highlight the text in its entirety and COPY it onto a new outgoing message, add your name to the bottom of the list, then send it on. Thanks. 1. Kevin Hoffman, San Diego, CA 2. Aned Yarelis Muniz Gracia, Corozal, PR 3. Dr. Rev. Thomas Marshall, Santa Cruz, CA 4. Alba Yarimar Muniz Gracia, Corozal, PR 5. Freddie Marrero, New York, NY 6. Heidi J. Figueroa Sarriera, Trujillo Alto, PR 7. Edwin Ramos Martmnez, Trujillo Alto, PR 8. Alejandro Torres Rivera, Trujillo Alto, PR 9. Josi Juan Nazario de la Rosa, Caguas, PR 10. David E. Mirs Feliciano, San Juan, PR 11. William A. Colsn, New Rochelle NY 12. Lisa Ortega, Puerto Rico 13. Omayra Rodriguez Puerto Rico 14.Raquel Rivera, Puerto Rico 15.Judith Rivera, Puerto Rico 16.Elveen Collins, Puerto Rico 17. Andres A. Ramos, Boston MA 18. Gabriella Hunter, San Juan, PR 19. Jessica Hunter, Concord, CA
