Conghaileach
4th May 2003, 12:31
Vieques Support Campaign
http://www.viequessupport.org
[email protected]
__________________________________________________ _
NO TO RACISM & IMPERIALIST WAR!
U.S. NAVY OUT OF VIEQUES & ALL OF PUERTO RICO!
__________________________________________________ _
VSC REPORT FROM VIEQUES
May 1, 2003
First of 3 part Report from Vieques, Puerto Rico
by Frank Velgara
I arrived at 2 a.m. on May 1, 2003 in Fajardo in the area to go to
Vieques. Many people had already gathered in a spirit of militant
solidarity. The comaraderie was evident. By 6:00 a.m. the area was
filled and at 9:00 a.m. we boarded the boat to Vieques. As we arrived
at Vieques, we saw people already gathering to march to Camp Garcia
for a rally and program.
Thousands marched, chanting with militancy, affirming the victory of
the people of Vieques and Puerto Rico while expressing clear
determination to continue alongside the Viequenses and the people of
Puerto Rico until the decontaminaton is cleaned up, the lands are
returned to the people, economic development is achieved and
reparations are won.
There were also many signs and chants against the US invasion and
occupation of Iraq. Marchers expressed solidarity with the Cuban
revolution and against any US military intentions towards Cuba.
Marchers came from California, New York, Connecticut, Atlanta,
Philadelphia, Chicago, just to name a few. The march was lead by the
organizations from Vieques: Committee for the Resecue and Development
of Vieques and the Peace and Justice Camp, The Vieques Womens
Alliance, the Coalition For May 1-4 Events in Vieques followed by
those arreseted in civil disobedience, the Vieques Diocese, Todo
Puerto Rico with Vieques, the Socialist Front, the PIP, the NMIP, El
Congreso Hostosiano, the Vieques Support Campaign, unions, and other
civic and political organizations.
The demonstration also passed by a statue of Angel Rodriguez
Cristobal, a martyred leader of the Vieques struggle. In 1979 at a
protest inside the restricted military zone of the island Cristobal
was among several people who were arrested. After being sent to the
federal prison facility in Tallahassee, Florida, Cristobal was
discovered dead hanging in his cell. As the marchers passed the statue
they chanted loudly, "PRESENTE!"
At the main rally held about 12:30 p.m., among the speakers were Ruben
Berrios, Ismael Guadalupe, Carlos Zenon, Miriam Soba, Che Paraliticci,
Damaso Serrano, Padre Nelson. I spoke as a representative of the
Vieques Support Campaign.
I was very moved by the extremely warm and enthusiastic reception the
crowd gave as I was called to the stage representing the VSC and the
desires of the Puerto Rican community in the US. It is a memory I will
always cherish. It is worth noting that there were no politicians
among the invited speakers.
The Vieques Support Campaign message was clear and concise: Presente!
We are proud to be here enjoying the first major advance of the people
of Vieques in the ongoing struggle to rid that island of the military
presence. We will continue to struggle alongside of the people of
Vieques and all Puerto Rico. Our solidarity and support will continue.
The people of the world are with Vieques and all Puerto Rico, just
like many in Puerto Rico are in solidarity with the people of Iraq and
all those who fight against U.S. military aggression abroad and
repression at home. Boricuas of concience will fight on. We do so
knowing that today, it is Vieques, tommorrow it will be Puerto Rico.
The struggle for Vieques is fundamentally for self-determination and
independence for Puerto Rico, that is, against US imperialism. The VSC
message was very well recieved and was interrupted by applause
throughout my presentation.
After the rally we marched into the grounds of Camp Garcia to reclaim
it as a liberated zone. The activities at Camp Garcia all afternoon
were followed by a people's concert for Vieques. Among the performing
artists at the concert were El Topo, Roy Brown, Andy Montaņez,
Haciendo Punto en Otro Son, Zoraida Santiago, Voz Profetica, and at
least 20 others who played until about 1:30 in the morning. Thousands
filled the area and chants of "Vieques Si Marina No!" filled the streets.
Although the people of Vieques and all of Puerto Rico achieved a
partial victory, it is nevertheless a victory, which is why militant
activities in celebration are expected to continue for some time.
Vieques Without The Navy! Implement the 4 D's!
Today Vieques, Tommorrow Puerto Rico!
USA Out of Puerto Rico!
(Frank Velgara is co-coordinator of the Vieques Support Campaign based
in NYC.)
http://www.viequessupport.org
[email protected]
__________________________________________________ _
NO TO RACISM & IMPERIALIST WAR!
U.S. NAVY OUT OF VIEQUES & ALL OF PUERTO RICO!
__________________________________________________ _
VSC REPORT FROM VIEQUES
May 1, 2003
First of 3 part Report from Vieques, Puerto Rico
by Frank Velgara
I arrived at 2 a.m. on May 1, 2003 in Fajardo in the area to go to
Vieques. Many people had already gathered in a spirit of militant
solidarity. The comaraderie was evident. By 6:00 a.m. the area was
filled and at 9:00 a.m. we boarded the boat to Vieques. As we arrived
at Vieques, we saw people already gathering to march to Camp Garcia
for a rally and program.
Thousands marched, chanting with militancy, affirming the victory of
the people of Vieques and Puerto Rico while expressing clear
determination to continue alongside the Viequenses and the people of
Puerto Rico until the decontaminaton is cleaned up, the lands are
returned to the people, economic development is achieved and
reparations are won.
There were also many signs and chants against the US invasion and
occupation of Iraq. Marchers expressed solidarity with the Cuban
revolution and against any US military intentions towards Cuba.
Marchers came from California, New York, Connecticut, Atlanta,
Philadelphia, Chicago, just to name a few. The march was lead by the
organizations from Vieques: Committee for the Resecue and Development
of Vieques and the Peace and Justice Camp, The Vieques Womens
Alliance, the Coalition For May 1-4 Events in Vieques followed by
those arreseted in civil disobedience, the Vieques Diocese, Todo
Puerto Rico with Vieques, the Socialist Front, the PIP, the NMIP, El
Congreso Hostosiano, the Vieques Support Campaign, unions, and other
civic and political organizations.
The demonstration also passed by a statue of Angel Rodriguez
Cristobal, a martyred leader of the Vieques struggle. In 1979 at a
protest inside the restricted military zone of the island Cristobal
was among several people who were arrested. After being sent to the
federal prison facility in Tallahassee, Florida, Cristobal was
discovered dead hanging in his cell. As the marchers passed the statue
they chanted loudly, "PRESENTE!"
At the main rally held about 12:30 p.m., among the speakers were Ruben
Berrios, Ismael Guadalupe, Carlos Zenon, Miriam Soba, Che Paraliticci,
Damaso Serrano, Padre Nelson. I spoke as a representative of the
Vieques Support Campaign.
I was very moved by the extremely warm and enthusiastic reception the
crowd gave as I was called to the stage representing the VSC and the
desires of the Puerto Rican community in the US. It is a memory I will
always cherish. It is worth noting that there were no politicians
among the invited speakers.
The Vieques Support Campaign message was clear and concise: Presente!
We are proud to be here enjoying the first major advance of the people
of Vieques in the ongoing struggle to rid that island of the military
presence. We will continue to struggle alongside of the people of
Vieques and all Puerto Rico. Our solidarity and support will continue.
The people of the world are with Vieques and all Puerto Rico, just
like many in Puerto Rico are in solidarity with the people of Iraq and
all those who fight against U.S. military aggression abroad and
repression at home. Boricuas of concience will fight on. We do so
knowing that today, it is Vieques, tommorrow it will be Puerto Rico.
The struggle for Vieques is fundamentally for self-determination and
independence for Puerto Rico, that is, against US imperialism. The VSC
message was very well recieved and was interrupted by applause
throughout my presentation.
After the rally we marched into the grounds of Camp Garcia to reclaim
it as a liberated zone. The activities at Camp Garcia all afternoon
were followed by a people's concert for Vieques. Among the performing
artists at the concert were El Topo, Roy Brown, Andy Montaņez,
Haciendo Punto en Otro Son, Zoraida Santiago, Voz Profetica, and at
least 20 others who played until about 1:30 in the morning. Thousands
filled the area and chants of "Vieques Si Marina No!" filled the streets.
Although the people of Vieques and all of Puerto Rico achieved a
partial victory, it is nevertheless a victory, which is why militant
activities in celebration are expected to continue for some time.
Vieques Without The Navy! Implement the 4 D's!
Today Vieques, Tommorrow Puerto Rico!
USA Out of Puerto Rico!
(Frank Velgara is co-coordinator of the Vieques Support Campaign based
in NYC.)