STOP NATO: �NO PASARAN! - HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------- ListBot Sponsor -------------------------- Get a low APR NextCard Visa in 30 seconds! 1. Fill in the brief application 2. Receive approval decision within 30 seconds 3. Get rates as low as 2.99% Intro or 9.99% Ongoing APR and no annual fee! Apply NOW! http://www.bcentral.com/listbot/NextCard ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques P.O. Box 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765 Telefax 787 741-0716 E mail:[EMAIL PROTECTED] � 11 JUNE, 2001 STATEMENT FROM THE JUSTICE AND PEACE CAMP Our people are getting ready to face the bombings announced by the US Navy to start on June 13. Just like in April, when our forces held up the naval exercises at several moments, during the upcoming maneuvers we will also resist this military force that enslave us in the name of "freedom", violate our human rights while "defending" democracy. There is no turning back for us. The mayor, the parish priest, our women, youth and fishermen, in short: our people, have decided that the US Navy will not fire any more bombs without the community resisting through pacifist civil disobedience. Neither threats from two hundred Puerto Rican police members, nor tear gas, nor rubber-bullet shotguns can tame these people who have taken control of their future to ensure a free and healthy Vieques for the next generations. For the past three weeks there have been workshops and orientations about civil disobedience on the main island and in Vieques. The PR Bar Association, Todo Puerto Rico con Vieques, el Congreso Nacional Hostosiano, the Caribbean Project for Justice and Peace, and Law Students with Vieques, along with the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques have prepared a handbook for Practical Workshops for Civil Disobedience in Vieques. Several comrades from the main island, including our Luz Nereida P�rez, gathered at the Justice and Peace Camp last Friday to discuss the handbook and the workshop's procedures. Six members of the Juventud Viequense Unida (Vieques Youth United) shared information about their own acts of civil disobedience last August, about the arrest, and about a pamphlet that they put together in order to train the next disobedients. Juan Vera, Bishop of the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico, was a special guest at this Saturday night�s vigil, and so were a great number of officials of the Church who participated this week in the celebration of the centenary of the Methodist Church in Vieques. Bishop Vera read a resolution that was unanimously accepted by the Methodist Assembly, which supports civil disobedience and the struggle for peace in Vieques. During the vigil, we received three solidarity phone calls that we transmitted live to the area where the vigil was being held, thanks to the technical assistance of Andr�s Nieves, our audiovisual specialist. The first phone call was from Ernesto Pe�a, prisoner from Vieques, artist, and artisan. Aside from his own inspiring message, Pe�a read messages that were given to him by Paco Salda�a -another Viequense civil disobedient who is in the federal prison- and by Rub�n Berr�os, president of the PR Independence Party. The second phone call was from members of the Equipo Cristiano en Acci�n por la Paz (Christian Peacemakers Team) in Indiana, where they were holding a vigil simultaneously with ours. Four members of the Equipo Cristiano will be tried on the 28th of this month for their entrance to the restricted military zone during Navy exercises here in April. A third phone call of solidarity was from Blanch Rivera, wife of the NY State legislator Jos� Rivera, one of the "Vieques quartet" of civil disobedients incarcerated in NY for the cause of Vieques. The "quartet" also includes Reverend Al Sharpton, NY City Councilor Alfonso Carri�n, and President of the Democrat Party in the Bronx, Roberto Ram�rez. Blanche offered a statement about the health and spirits of the four prisoners and about the commitment that they show with the struggle for Vieques. The prisoners from Vieques in the federal prison in Guaynabo are: Ernesto Pe�a Carambot # 21622-069 Francisco "Paco" Salda�a # 21618-069 Jos� Molina Encarnaci�n #21504-069 Juan A. Santos Centeno #21510-069 Angel Class Alvarado #21509-069 You may write to them at : MDC Guaynabo PO Box 2147 San Juan, PR 00922-0692147 � The full list of names of the prisoners for the peace of Vieques is available at viequeslibre.org or via our email. The CRDV covers costs and coordinates transportation for family members of Vieques prisoners so they can get to the federal prison for weekly visits and return to Vieques the same day. Also, we deposit funds for Vieques prisoners needing aid in their prison account for purchases in the prison store and for phone calls. Our Committee also maintains a support camp outside the federal prison next to camps set up by the PIP and the University Students / Friends of Vieques and the Carolina Giants. Maintain the CRDV camp in support of our prisoners, transport people from Vieques to participate in activities at the camp represents another cost for the struggle. Therefore, we ask for your donation in funds or materials for the Peace and Justice Camps. R. Rabin, CRDV _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com ______________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
