Peace for Vieques ! No more bombs !
by Clarice Villac on 15 April 2001 @ 06:35 AM
FRIENDS IN SOLIDARITY with PEACE FOR VIEQUES: The announcement by the U.S.Navy about possible resumption of bombing in Vieques on the 27th of this month, moves us to put all our forces of solidarity on alert in Vieques, on the main island of Puerto Rico, in the US and elsewhere.
***
“We have no petrochemical plants or pharmaceuticals or any other such industry; the only culprit of the high incidence of cancer is the US military. At the Atlantic Fleet weapons Training Area, the US Navy tests bombs. This area is the most devastated; if you walk through there, you’ll see bombs, craters, shrapnel and destruction everywhere. The area smells of chemicals. ” - Ismael Guadalupe, Member of the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques
***
“The findings of the Dellums Panel [of the House Armed Services Committee] 20 years ago have turned out to be tragically prophetic. To the detriment of thousands of Viequenses, the past two decades have proven to be not only a continuation of the deplorable situation described by the Dellums Panel, but indeed a deterioration of that situation. Consider Vice Admiral William Fallon's reply, "I deal with facts, not with sentiments", when recently confronted with the concerns of the people of Vieques. That telling remark not only reflected the Navy's insensitivity, but also its willful blindness towards the reality that the high cancer rate in Vieques, the ecological and environmental damage caused by the Navy, the callous disregard for the welfare and well-being of Viequenses, the illegal use of napalm and depleted uranium on Vieques, among others, are indisputable facts that Fallon and the Navy should be forced to "deal with". How? By getting out of Vieques now.” - Flavio Cumpiano, Washington Representative for the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques
*** “There are places in the world, on American soil, where one cannot do certain things because there are animals, flora and fauna. Nonetheless we are people and no one takes us into account. We are species in danger of extinction. We, the people of Vieques, are in danger of extinction. And nobody hears us. ” - Radamés Tirado, Former Mayor of Vieques
***
http://www.viequeslibre.org/
***
The Fine Print: Comments and articles posted on this website
are owned by the person who posted them and do not necessarily represent
the views of Greenpeace.
Join the growing number of people and organizations who are heeding the
CALL TO ACTION IN DEFENSE OF PEACE FOR VIEQUES (see below), and come out to the
DEMONSTRATION FOR PEACE IN VIEQUES, IN WASHINGTON, DC
WHERE? In front of the White House, at the White House sidewalk/Pennsylvania Ave. (across from Lafayette Park).
WHEN? This Friday, April 27th, at 5:00pm.
Say NO! to a resumption of the bombing of Vieques by the U.S. Navy, planned to begin on Friday. Bring signs, banners, flags, drums and other musical instruments, or simply come out and make some noise so the White House can hear once more, loud and clear, the demand that there must be no more bombings of any kind in Vieques.
Sponsored by the International Action Center and the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques. Contact: IAC at 202-347-9300. For more info on Vieques, access: www.viequeslibre.org.
------------
COMMITTEE FOR THE RESCUE AND DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES P.O. Box 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765 (787) 741-0716 Email: bieke@coqui.net
14 April, 2001
CALL TO ACTION IN DEFENSE OF PEACE FOR VIEQUES
Friends in solidarity with Peace for Vieques:
Warm greetings from "the baby island" (Vieques). The announcement by the Navy about possible resumption of bombing in Vieques on the 27th of this month, moves us to put all our forces of solidarity on alert in Vieques, on the main island of Puerto Rico, in the US and elsewhere.
We ask all individuals and groups that support our struggle to communicate with us asap, by email or telephone, to indicate your possible participation in one of the following actions (or in actions developed by the creativity of our communities):
1. Send representatives or delegations to Vieques to participate in civil disobedience actions 2. Organize civil disobedience actions at military or federal facilities in your area 3. Organize protest actions - vigils, pickets, prayer circles at church, neighborhood or work 4. Prepare and circulate press releases denouncing Navy plans to resume bombing here 5. Write articles for local and national newspapers, flyers or other printed materiales denouncing military activity in Vieques 6. Organize phone calls, faxes, emails or petition campaigns directed to Presdiente Bush to protest the Navy's decision to resume bombing 7. Send economic support to the CRDV for preparations of civil disobedience actions, bail, and other costs related to the struggle
http://www.viequeslibre.org/
*** Not One More Bomb !
¿Por qué está la Marina de Guerra de los Estados Unidos en Vieques, Puerto Rico?
Legado de la Marina en Vieques: Estancamiento Económico Daño Ecológico Alta Incidencia de Cáncer
***
"El futuro de los niños es siempre hoy. Mañana será tarde."
New York City Vieques'Events: 1) Wednesday, May 23rd - Protest at 5:30pm New York Athletic Club
2)Friday, May 25th - Fundraiser at EL YUNQUE in the Bronx
-----------------------------------------------
Wednesday May 23rd, 2001 at 5:30pm New York Athletic Club
180 Central Park South on 59th St. and 7th Avenue (in New York City)
The Vieques Support Campaign is making a call to all of our allies in the struggle to remove the U.S. Navy out of Vieques to join us for a special demonstration on Wednesday May 23rd, 2001.
On Wednesday May 23rd at 6pm, the Navy League will be having a special kick-off celebration of Fleet Week 2001. The League is going to sponsor a grand reception to welcome the Commanding Officers, Military Flag Officers, Department of Defense officials and Executive Officers representing 17 ships visiting New York City.
Join the Vieques Support Campaign in denouncing and protesting this hypocritical celebration of the U.S. Navy. The Navy has the audacity to come to New York City to celebrate their "benevolence" after just recently resuming their bombing practices in Vieques. After tear gassing youth,imprisoning activists, and assaulting the people of Vieques, the Navy has announced that they will resume bombing practices again in 60 days.
For decades the Navy's presence in Puerto Rico has been detrimental to the life and health of the people of Vieques. The Navy has been directly responsible for the repression, incarceration and murder of many of the Anti-Navy activists in Vieques. The Navy has also taken the lead in acts of military aggression against the peoples of Palestine, Yugoslavia, Cuba, Panama and the Dominican Republic.
The Navy is also responsible for the recent incarceration of Ismael Guadalupe Ortiz, one of the leaders of the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques, and the hundreds of other Anti-Navy protesters.
They were arrested for their civil disobedience actions against the ressumption of the bombings of Vieques. Ismael Guadalupe Ortiz, the only Viequense left imprisoned, has been denied bail and proper medical treatment. He also has not been allowed to meet with family and comrades. Stand with the people of Vieques, Puerto Rico!!
Denounce the U.S. Navy and all U.S. military aggression around the world!! Free Ismael Guadalupe Ortiz!! Free all the pro-Vieques Patriots!! Join us on Wednesday May 23rd, 2001 at 5:30pm New York Athletic Club
180 Central Park South on 59th St. and 7th Avenue (in New York City)
$15 ((Don't forget your Masks!! We will have a table to create your own in case you do!!))
BORICUA ON THE MOON is an ongoing project that includes cultural education and interactive workshops. The purpose is to develop awareness and build bridges of solidarity within our community. The project will respond to the needs of the community. Please join us in our efforts!!
and everyone that has made a contribution to this campaign, and also to those who sometimes wonder if we are being effective.
Officials: Navy to Withdraw From Vieques in 2003
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Reuters) - The U.S. Navy, bowing to pressure over controversial bombing exercises, is planning to permanently end military training on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques in 2003, defense officials said. Full Coverage at:-
Press Release * August 4, 2001 Brigade Milivy Adams enters the restricted area Vieques, Puerto Rico * The resistance brigade Milivy Adams successfullybroke through the military vigilance and penetrated the restricted area ofthe US Navy today at 3am. The group, composed by Aura Broida, FreddieMarrero, José Sánchez, Víctor Torres and Miguel Hernández (el ovejero),intends to arrive to the impact area and serve as human shields against thebombing in the island. Then they will try to exit the area without beingcaptured. This incursion is part of the most recent journey of civildisobedience against the military presence in Vieques.
"We entered willing to reaffirm the will of the people of Vieques expressedin last Sunday's referendum. After Sunday's overwhelming victory, there mustbe no doubt that the disobedients here are the US Navy and the President ofthe United States, who disobey the will of the entire population of theisland", declared Aura Broida, member of the brigade who wore a T-shirt ofMilivy Adams at the moment of entering the restricted area.
Milivy Adams is a three-year-old girl who at her early age suffers fromseveral cancerous tumors including her lungs, kidneys and head. Shesymbolizes the danger that represents the bombings in Vieques to thechildren and to all the people in the island.
"If the volcanic ashes of the Island of Monserrate arrive to the Big Island,how can the military and the federal government deny that the particles ofmercury, lead, uranium and cadmium spread in the training camp would not bespread by the bombing and carried by the wind to the civil population only afew miles far? For Milivy as well as for all the other children and adults,we will do our maximum effort to get to the bombing area and stop militaryaggression", said Freddie Marrero.
At the moment of leaving, the brigade had provisions and flares for lettingknow to the militaries their presence in the area. They also had a cellularphone for communicating with their support group in the civil area. CONTACTS:Llaima Sanfiorenzo 787-306-7105Campamento Justicia y Paz 787-741-0716
Colectivos de Resistencia Amig@s de Vieques y Amigos del M.A.R. Comunicado de Prensa * 4 de agosto de 2001
Brigada Milivy Adams ingresa a los terrenos restringidos Vieques, Puerto Rico - La brigada de resistencia Milivy Adams logró burlarcon éxito la vigilancia militar y penetrar a los terrenos restringidos de laMarina de Guerra de los Estados Unidos. El grupo, compuesto por Aura Broida,Freddie Marrero, José Sánchez, Víctor Torres and Miguel Hernández (elovejero), busca llegar al área de impacto para servir de escudos humanoscontra el bombardeo de la Isla Nena y luego intentará salir sin sercapturado. Esta incursión forma parte de la más reciente jornada dedesobediencia civil contra la presencia militar en Vieques.
"Entramos con la voluntad de hacer valer con nuestros actos la voluntad delpueblo de Vieques expresada en el referéndum del pasado Domingo. Luego deesa abrumadora victoria, no debe quedar duda que los que desobedientes aquíson la Marina y el Presidente de los Estados Unidos, que desobedecen lavoluntad de todo un pueblo," declaró Aura Broida, miembro de la brigadaquien llevaba puesta una camisa con la foto de Milivy Adams al momento deincursionar.
Milivy Adams, es una niña viequense de 3 años quien a su temprana edad ya sele han encontrado tumores cancerosos en varias partes del cuerpo, incluyendolos pulmones, riñones y cabeza. Ella simboliza la peligrosidad querepresenta el bombardeo de Vieques para con la salud de la niñez y de todoel pueblo.
"Si la ceniza volcanica de la isla Monserrate llega hasta la Isla Grande,¿Cómo pueden los militares y el gobierno federal negar que las partículas demercurio, plomo, uranio, aluminio y cadmio esparcidas en el campo de tiro noserán levantadas por las bombas y cargadas por el viento hasta la poblacióncivil a solo varias millas de distancia? Por Milivy y por los demás niños yadultos enfermos haremos el máximo esfuerzo de llegar al área de tiro ydetener la agresión militar," indicó Freddie Marrero.
Al momento de partir, la brigada llevaba provisiones y luces de bengala queusarán para dejar saber su presencia en el campo de tiro. Además llevaban untélefono celular para poder comunicarse con su grupo de apoyo en la zonacivil. CONTACTOS:Llaima Sanfiorenzo 787-306-7105Campamento Justicia y Paz 787-741-0716
MILIVY Por Harry Félix Velázquez
Veo en sus ojitos juguetitos de alegría Veo en su sonrisa muñequitos de poesías Veo en su mirada lágrimas deseando vida Veo en su carita la faz de la niña mía
Veo en mis sueños a esa niña caminando Siento el padecer que sus padres van pasando Es un angelito que en mi vida ha penetrado No la he conocido y el corazón ya me ha robado
Es un día más de nuestra terrible condena Me pregunto cuantos de nosotros lucharemos Sin saber ni cuantos con uranio moriremos Mientras la Marina nada le importaremos
Milivy es como un viento de agua triste Que me ahoga y cambia el latir del corazón Milivy siento este nudo en mi garganta Que hoy te canta y pide a Dios que seas feliz ...Para siempre; Amén
Colectivos de Resistencia Amig@s de Vieques y Amigos del M.A.R.
Comunicado de Prensa - 4 de agosto de 2001
Incursiona brigada Tito Kayak a la zona restringida
Vieques, Puerto Rico * Como parte de la nueva ronda de desobediencia civilque busca detener el bombardeo en la Isla Nena, incursionó durante lamadrugada del día de hoy la Brigada Tito Kayak, creada en honor al conocidoactivista ambiental. La Brigada, compuesta por los estudiantes Diego de laCruz, Martín Castro y Rubén Bonilla , busca llegar hasta la zona de impacto,interrumpir las maniobras militares por el mayor tiempo posible y luegosalir de los terrenos militares sin ser capturados.
"En honor a Tito Kayak y a su admirable trayectoria en defensa delmedioambiente, haremos valer el intento de entrar al campo de tiro y asíratificar con nuestros actos la voluntad democrática del pueblo de Vieques. No nos queda duda que de estar en libertad Tito estaría aquí presente, listopara enfrentar a la Marina por medio de la desobediencia civil," indicóDiego de la Cruz.
El activista ambiental Alberto de Jesús, conocido como Tito Kayak, se dió aconocer por sus protestas contra el paso de desperdicios nucleares por aguasdel Caribe. El distintivo de su activismo consiste en realizar protestastemerarias y riesgosas, siendo la más arriesgada cuando logró subir al topede la Estatua de la Libertad el pasado noviembre para denunciar el caso deVieques previo a las elecciones generales de los Estados Unidos. Tito Kayakha sido sentenciado por el Juez Laffitte a un año de cárcel por violar suscondiciones de probatoria para llevar a cabo ese evento. El jueves 2 deagosto, fue trasladado a Nueva York para asistir a su lectura de sentencia,el próximo 27 de agosto.
"Ahora que el comité de las fuerzas armadas de la Cámara de los EstadosUnidos intenta hacer permanente la presencia de la Marina en Vieques, sehace más necesario que nunca entrar a los terrenos restringidos. El mismoSecretario de la Marina, England, ha tenido que reconocer que ladesobediencia civil es un método efectivo. Dado a que ignoran los reclamosde nuestro gobierno que aboga por el cese immediato así como los reclamosdel pueblo expresados en el referendum, las incursiones al área de bombardeoson la única vía que nos dejan para expresar nuestra voluntad política,"indicó Rubén Castro.
Comunicado de Prensa - 4 de agosto de 2001 Brigada Lolita Lebrón incursiona en los terrenos restringidos
Vieques, Puerto Rico - En la madrugada de hoy la brigada de resistenciaLolita Lebrón burló la vigilancia militar e incursionó en el árearestringida de la Marina de Guerra de los Estados Unidos. La brigada,nombrada en honor a la incanzable luchadora puertorriqueña, está compuestapor Lorimel Cartagena Santiago, Isaías Flores, Pablo Suárez Rivera y JoséRamos Vega, los dos últimos profesionales del Nuevo Día y de Tele Once. Suobjetivo consiste en llegar al área de tiro y servir como escudos humanospara impedir los ejercicios militares. Esta incursión forma parte de lanueva campaña de desobediencia civil destinada a interrumpir las maniobrasmilitares que se están realizando del 2 al 8 de agosto en la Isla Nena.
La brigada Lolita Lebrón se ha propuesto reafirmar mediante la desobedienciacivil, la voluntad expresada democráticamente por el pueblo de Vieques encuanto al cese de las maniobras militares y a la partida definitiva de laMarina de Guerra del suelo viequense. Puesto que el gobierno de los EstadosUnidos y los militares americanos se hacen de la vista larga en este asuntoque pone contantemente en juego la salud y la ecología de la Isla Nena, ladesobediencia civil es, según ellos, el método más efectivo para darles aentender el sentir de los viequenses y de todos los puertorriqueños.
The creator and webmaster of ViequesLibre.org, Freddie Marrero, was arested today at 8:00pm after being inside of the firing range in Vieques for several days.
Marrero, a Ph.D. candidate at the Graduate Center (CUNY) in New York City, was discovered when he fired a flare to announce his presence in the area while the Navy conducted some of the most destructive and brutal war games in over sixty years of its unwanted presence.
We denounce his arrest and demand the immediate release of all prisoners that are in jail for defending the democratic will of the people of Vieques.
------------COMUNICADO DE PRENSA: Arrestan webmaster de ViequesLibre.org
7 de agosto de 2001
El creador y webmaster de ViequesLibre.org, Freddie Marrero, fue arrestado hoy martes 7 de agosto a eso de las 8:00pm en Vieques.
Marrero, un estudiante doctoral en sociología en la ciudad de Nueva York y quien llevaba varios días internado en la maleza, fue descubierto entre los matojos cuando disparó una luz de bengala desde el polígono de tiro para anunciar que la Marina estaba bombardeando mientras había civiles en el área.
Denunciamos su captura y exigimos que lo liberen de inmediato junto a todas las personas que han defendido la voluntad democrática del pueblo de Vieques.
URGENT CALL FOR ACTION AGAINST MILITARY AGGRESION IN VIEQUES
Warm greetings from Vieques. With the official announcement by the Navy that new bombing practices will begin here on 24 September, we strengthen our efforts in the civil disobedience campaign to block the maneuvers and continue denouncing the imposition of a military dictatorship on this island municipality.
The Navy steps on democracy in Vieques, ignoring the position of the Governor, the Mayor and the clearly expressed will of our people in the referendum held on 29 July. They jailed the Mayor for four months, removing our community´s political leader at a crucial moment in this struggle. They spend millions to pressure our people, taking advantage of the economic crisis created and maintained by the Navy here for decades.
The Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques has begun a campaing of recruitment by neighborhoods to integrate more Viequenses in the next protest actions. We are organizing a General Strike here and a massive protest, combined with greater civil disobedience actions in the face of new Navy threats of bombing. On Tuesday, September 18th, we will have a People´s Assembly to discuss with representatives of the diverse sectors of our community, the campaign - ENTERING ALL TOGETHER. We will also talk about the Navy referendum and strategies we shall develop together against this new Navy attack.
We ask for your cooperation in the following areas: * Participate in the civil disobedience actions - those interested must attend a CD workshop being offered at the PR Bar Association * Organize actions of protest and-or civil disobedience in your area * Help with materiales or donations to the CRDV * Be creative and invent another way to support this cause
Subscribe: ViequesLibre-subscribe@yahoogroups.com *** Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques P.O. Box 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765 Tel. (787) 741-0716 E-mail: bieke@coqui.net
*** Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques Apartado 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765 Tel: (787) 741-0716 E-mail: bieke@coqui.net
9 de septiembre de 2001
URGENTE LLAMADO A ACCION CONTRA LA AGRESION MILITAR EN VIEQUES
Compañer@s Solidari@s con la Lucha por la Paz en Vieques:
Saludos cariñosos desde Vieques. Ante el anuncio oficial de la Marina sobre el inicio de los próximos bombardeos el 24 de este mes, redoblamos esfuerzos en la campaña de desobediencia civil con el fin de obstaculizar las maniobras y seguir denunciando la imposición de una dictadura militar en esta isla municipio.
La Marina pisotea la democracia en Vieques, ignorando la posición de la Gobernadora, el Alcalde y el pueblo expresada claramente en el referendum del pasado 29 de julio. Encarcelaron el Alcalde por cuatro meses, removiendo el líder político del pueblo en un momento crucial de la lucha. Gastan millones para presionar a nuestra gente, aprovechando de la crisis económica que ellos mismos crearon y que han mantenido por décadas.
El Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques (CPRDV) comenzó una campaña de reclutamiento en nuestros barrios para integrar un mayor número de viequenses en las próximas acciones de protesta. Organizamos una PARO GENERAL en Vieques y una masiva protesta en combinación con mayores acciones de desobediencia civil ante la amenaza de la Marina de reiniciar su bombardeo. El Martes, 18 de septiembre, celebraremos una Asamblea de Pueblo para discutir con representantes de los diversos sectores de la comunidad viequense, la campaña - ENTRANDO TODOS A LA VEZ. También hablaremos sobre el referéndum de la Marina y las estrategias de la comunidad ante este nuevo atropello militar.
Les pedimos su cooperación en las siguientes areas:
· Participar en la desobediencia civil - personas interesadas deben asistir a uno de los talleres que se ofrecen este mes en el Colegio de Abogados · Organizar acciones de protesta, denuncia, desobediencia civil en su zona · Aportar con materiales o donativos para la lucha al CPRDV · Ser creativo e inventar su propia forma de aportar
HAHAHAHA, your pathetic Island is usless. You want US money but you offer nothing in return. Consider the US forign aid as payment for the trash you call an island
The Fine Print: Comments and articles posted on this website
are owned by the person who posted them and do not necessarily represent
the views of Greenpeace.
