There are men who struggle for a day and are good There are others who struggle for a year and are better There are those who struggle many years hey are very good ^^^ m 11 th A lives

These are...

the indispensables

THE STRUGGLE AND THE IDEALS of Puerto Rican prisoners of war Edwin Cortes, Alejandrina Torres and Alberto Rodriguez and of political prisoner Jos6 Luis Rodriguez "...all the childre the world an the reason I will i to the death to destroy colonialism... This publication is dedicated to the future of our homeland and to the children of the three new Puerto Rican Prisoners of War, Liza Beth and Catalina Torres; Yazmfn Elena and Ricardo Alberto Rodriguez; and Noemi and Cark>s Alberto Cortes. —Alberto R

Cover; prose by Bertolt Brecht

Editorial El Coquf 1671 N. Claremont (312) 342-8023/4 AUTOBIOGRAPHIES Chicago, Illinois 60647 OF THE 4 "...all the children of the world are the reason I will fight to the death to destroy colonialism..." This publication is dedicated to the future of our homeland and to the children of the three new Puerto Rican Prisoners of War, Liza Beth and Catalina Torres; Yazmfn Elena and Ricardo Alberto Rodriguez; and Noemf and Carlps Alberto Cortes. —Alberto Rodriguez

olt Brecht

Editorial El Coqui' 1671 N. Claremont (312) 342-8023/4 AUTOBIOGRAPHIES Chicago, Illinois 60647 OF THE 4 • ALBERTO RODRIGUEZ I...reaffirm the right of the Puerto Rican people to wage armed struggle against U.S. imperialism."

I was born in Bronx, New York on April and we walked out. Once outside ,we were 14, 1953. My parents, Manuel Rodriguez attacked by the police and gangs of white and Carmen Santana were force dto leave racists. After a brief but determined battle, their beloved Puerto Rico due to the de- we had to abandon the school grounds and pressed colonial economy and widespread retreat to our communities. A similar inci- repression against workers. Before my first dent occurred in 1969. It was done to pro- birthday, my parents left New York and test the deaths of Fred Hampton and Mark came to Chicago. Clark, Black Panther Party members killed I remember my father working in various by a FBI/Chicago Police Task Force .In 1970 low-paying jobs, which were the only ones and 1971, several others were organized, this available to Puerto Ricans. Slowly, he was time by the Latino student body. Thi swas able to save enough money to bring the rest done to force a reluctant school administra- of our family from Puerto Rico. Wit hthe six tion to hire a Latino counselor and provide born and living in Puerto Rico and another courses which addressed the particular needs eight born in the States, my family grew to of Latino students. fourteen. During the early 1970's, the Puerto Rican Like so many working-class Puerto Rican community, especially its youth, was swept families , we were constantly moving, always by a wave of nationalist sentiments. Young one step ahead of the wrecking ball .We lived people began to outwardly identify them- in neighborhoods which were destroye dto selves as Puerto Ricans. These wer ethe times make room for the Carl Sandburg Village, of the Young Lords, who were attempting to Old Town Condos, Kennedy Expressway address the needs of the Puerto Rican com- and the University of Illinois - Chicago Cam- munity. Though the Young Lords were not pus. Finally, by 1967, after years of hard active on the south side, we did receive liter- work and deprivation, my parents were able ature from them. This had a profound impact to buy a house in the Puerto Rican barrio on on me. I began to see myself not just as a the south side of Chicago. street gang member defending some isolated At the age of 15, Icommitted my first turf, but as part of a whole nation and cpm-

political act. The Black students at the high , munity struggling to be free. It was this that school that I attended, Tilden Tech , had brought me and several other young people planned a massive walkou t to protest the together to discuss the need for community assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King ,Jr. organizing and developing suppor t for The Black student leadership had asked for Puerto Rican independence. support from the Puerto Rican students .At In 1972, I enrolled in the University of a pre-determined time ,fire alarms were pulled Illinois, Chicago Circle Campus .I was shock- ed to^finc lthat out of a total student popula- conference as a member of a newly founded tunit yto come before their community and tion of twenty thousand, there were less than organization called the Colectiva Don Pedro to struggle and confn ten Puerto Rican and twenty-five Mexican Albizu Campos which was organized on the denounc e the police murders .An intensive prcssion and poverty students enrolled. The same year, a Latino south side of Chicago. The Colectiva, along and successfu campaigl n was launched against Center I did everyth student movement was formed to confront a sector of the independence movement police repression and many members of the to carpentry and pail the University administration on the issues of which was very active on the north side and Comite were harassed and arrested by police. was done at this Cei recruitment and the development of a Latin worked out of the Puerto Rican Cultural 1 was arrested with another Comite member community and truly American Studies Program .Due to our lack Center and other Puerto Ricans from New on the eve of aconferenc e agains t police endeavor .Besides man of experience in political organizing and clear York, formed a coalition which called itself repression .At that conference ,several com- buted to the publics Newsletter La Voz d< direction, several student organizations were the March First Bloc. The March First Bloc, munity members were attacked by Police elopment of a theatr formed and disbanded. Finally , in 1974, the which had attracted the more radical ele- task force units , but this did no t dampen Guamn. Union for Puerto Rican Students was form- ments of the North American left, con- our commitmen t to struggle to end re- On June 29, 198i ed. This organization began to do work fronted the liberal PSP-dominated PRSC and pression. In 1977 , Ibegan working as a Counselor/ with three other c among students around the issues of concern forced it to deal with the need for revolu- Coordinator at the Borinqucri aLearning Cen- being members of th to Latino students, suppor t for the Five tionary action to free Puerto Rico. ter; which is an integra l part of the Puerto with the political off( Nationalist Prisoners and independence for During this period, federal grand juries Rican Cultura lCenter. My three years at spiracy." I have assui Puerto Rico. The Union became instrumental were being convened in Chicago and New Borinquena were some of the most difficult court and before my in the establishment of programs such as the York purportedly investigating the FALN. and time-consuming ,while at the same time Prisoner of War. I di Latin American Studies Program, Latin Four members of the Colectiva were subpoe- the most rewarding. Borinquena was a unique right of Puerto Rican American Recruitmen t and Educational Ser- naed along with other activists from Chicago, experimen t in higher education. It provided struggle against U.S. vices and the Rafael Cintron-Ortiz Cultural New York and the Southwest. Out of the community people an opportunity to develop to POW status is a co Center. It was through this process that I need to confront this repression and to pre- necessary skill sas well as political education. mitment and dedicatk began to learn political organizing skills. sent an alternative to the reformism per- Many of its students went on to become Puerto Rico and to c< I also became aware that while concessions meating the independence movement , the active in various community struggles. Borin- U.S. imperialism, whi and reforms could be forced from institutions Movimiento de Liberacion Nacional was quena was also significant in that it destroyed demned as a crime like the University of Illinois, the fundamen- formed. The Colectiva became part of this the myth that the Puerto Rican community world peace. As a PO^ tal contradictions would continue . I began new organization. integrity of the imper to see the need for more radical approaches Between 1977 and 1980, I worked with must rely on the state to provide it with ser- trial Puerto Ricans > to our reality and was attracted to the ideas the following organizations : The Workers' vices and guidance. The college program, of Marxism. Rights Center, National Committe e to End along with the Puerto Rican Cultural Center and justice. which houses it, continue today as a model As in any auto Iti 1976, the year I graduated from col- Grand Jury Repression, Committe eto Free of struggle and self-determination. must omit many asp lege, the whole independence movemen twas the Five Puerto Rican Nationalist Prisoners, In 1980, I left Borinquena Campus and conclusion , there are in a period 6f turmoil and redefinition. On and the Comite Pro-Orientacion Comunal. began working at Northeastern Illinois Uni- my life that I would the one hantl, you had the reformist tendency This latter group was formed after the brutal versity as a counselor for Black and Latino First, is my marriage headed by the Puerto Rican Socialist Party's 1977 murder of two Puerto Ricans in Hum- students. I also began working with the loved companera, Cai decision to participate in the colonial elec- boldt Park in Chicago. The murders of Rafael Colectiva Comunal. This collective of peo- years our relationship tions of Puerto Rico. On the other hand, you Cruz and Julio Osorio highlighted the need ple work on the south side of Chicago and ed into one of love, had a growing movement engaging in armed to fight against police repression in our com- struggle for human rights and social justice. to a struggle. Carmen struggle, particularly by the Fuerzas Armadas munities. A week after the murders, the The Colectiva was also able to establish the of strength arid comn de Liberacion Nacional (FALN) here in Comite, along with the MLN, organized a Latino Cultural Center on south Ashland makes me a better m; the United States. This conflict came to a huge demonstration and rally to protest the Avenue . This accomplishment represented the birth of my daug head in Chicago at a Puerto Rico Solidarity murders. Also, a Peoples Tribunal was or- the realization of a dream to find a center my son, Ricardo Albc Committee Conference . I participated in this ganized which offered the people an oppor- where the community could come together and our nation's fui conference as a membei; of a newly founded : a total student popula- tunit yto come before thei rcommunit yand to struggl eand confront the reality of op- organization called the Colectiva Don Pedro ind, there were less than denounc e the police murders. An intensive pression and poverty that it faces. At this id twenty-five Mexican Albizu Campos which was organized on the and successfu campaigl nwas launched against Center I did everything from bricklaying le same year, a Latino south side of Chicago. The Colectiva, along police repressio nand many members of the to carpentry and painting. Everything that fas formed to confront a sector of the independence movement Comite were harassed and arrested by police. was done at this Center was done by the stration on the issues of which was very active on the north side and 1 was arrested with another Comite member community and truly represents a collective development of a Latin worked out of the Puerto Rican Cultural on the eve of aconferenc e agains t police endeavor .Besides manual labor ,I also contri- 3gram. Due to our lack Center and other Puerto Ricans from New repression. At that conference , severa lcom- buted to the publication of the Center's ical organizing and clear York, formed a coalition which called itself munit y members were attacked by Police Newsletter La Voz del Barrio and the dev- dent organizations were the March First Bloc .The March First Bloc, task forc e units , but this did no t dampen elopment of a theatre group called Teatro •d . Finally, in 1974, the which had attracted the more radical ele- our commitment to struggl e to end re- Guanm. :an Students was form- ments of the North American left, con- pression. On June 29, 1983,1 was arrested, along >n began to do work fronted the liberal PSP-dominated PRSC and In 1977 , I began working as a Counselor/ with three other comrades, accuse d of nd the issues of concern forced it to deal with the need for revolu- Coordinato rat the Borinqucn aLearning Cen- being members of the FALN and charged support for the Five tionary action to free Puerto Rico. ter; whic his an integral part of the Puerto with the political offense of "seditious con- and independence for During this period, federal grand juries Rican Cultura lCenter. My three years at spiracy." I have assumed before the federal on became instrumental were being convened in Chicago and New Borinqucn awere some of the most difficult court and before my people the position of of programs such as the York purportedly investigatin gthe FALN. and time-consuming whil, e at the same time Prisoner of War. I did this to reaffirm the :udies Program, Latin Four members of the Colectiva were subpoe- the most rewarding Borinquen. awas a unique right of Puerto Rican people to wage armed nt and Educational Ser- naed along with other activists from Chicago, experimen tin higher education. It provided struggle against U.S. imperialism .My claim Cintron-Ortiz Cultural New York and the Southwest. Out of the community people an opportunity to develop to POW status is a continuation of my com- agh this process that I need to confront this repression and to pre- necessary skill sas well as political education. mitment and dedication to a free and socialist itical organizing skills. sent an alternative to the reformism per- Many of its students went on to become Puerto Rico and to contribute to the end of that while concessions meating the independence movement , the active in various community struggles. Borin- U.S. imperialism, which the world has con- forced from institutions Movimiento de Liberacion Nacional was quena was also significan tin that it destroyed demned as a crime against humanity and f Illinois, the fundamen- formed. The Colectiva became part of this the myth that the Puerto Rican community world peace. As a POW,I challenge the moral ould continue. I began new organization. must rely on the state to provide it with ser- nore radical approaches Between 1977 and 1980, I worked with integrity of the imperialist courts to bring to vices and guidance. The college program, trial Puerto Ricans who fight for freedom as attracted to the ideas the following organizations : The Workers' along wit hthe Puerto Rican Cultural Center Rights Center, National Committe eto End and justice. which houses it, continue today as a model As in any autobiography , the writer r I graduated from col- Grand Jury Repression, Committe eto Free of struggle and self-determination. must omit many aspect sof his life. But in endence movemen twas the Five Puerto Rican Nationalist Prisoners, In 1980, I left Borinquena Campus and conclusion, there are two other aspects of )il and redefinition. On and the Comite Pro-Orientacion Comunal. began working at Northeastern Illinois Uni- my life that I would like to share with you. i the reformist tendency This latter group was formed after the brutal versity as a counselor for Black and Latino First, is my marriage of nine years to my be- 3 Rican Socialist Party's 1977 murder of two Puerto Ricans in Hum- students. I also began working wit h the loved companera, Carmen Santana. Ove rthe te in the colonial elec- boldt Park in Chicago. The murders of Rafael Colectiva Comunal. This collectiv eof peo- years our relationship has grown and develop- On the other hand, you Cruz and Julio Osorio highlighted the need ple work on the south side of Chicago and ed into one of love, respect and dedication nent engaging in armed to fight against police repressio nin our com- struggle for human rights and social justice. to a struggle. Carmen represent smy fountain by the Fuerzas Armadas munities. A week after the murders, the The Colectiva was also able to establish the of strength ajid commitment which every day onal (FALN) here in Comite, along with the MLN, organized a Latino Cultura l Center on south Ashland makes me a better man. The second aspect is fhis conflict came to a huge demonstration and rally to protest the Avenue . This accomplishmen t represented the birth of my daughter, Yazmm Elena and Puerto Rico Solidarity murders. Also , a Peoples Tribuna l was or- the realizatio nof a dream to find a center my son, Ricardo Alberto. They are my future ce. I participated in this ganized which offered the people an oppor- where the community could come together and our nation's future. For me, Yazmi'n, Ricardo and all the children of the world are and socialist Puerto Rico. By doing this, we the reason I will fight to the death to de- will drive one more nail into the coffin of Latin American Recruitment and Educational of non-collaboration. stroy colonialism and establish a democratic U.S. imperialism. Services Program (LARES). This program In June of 197: was instituted to guarantee the enrollment dissolved to form th< EDWIN CORTES and continued progress of Puerto Rican, cion Nacional (MLf Mexican, and Latin American students. tion composed of Pu In September of 1976, the Latin Ameri- activists. "I have lived in a society can students forced the racist and repressive During the same where racism and discrimination are administration to grant us a Latin American involved in establish Cultural Center. This center was named the called the Colectiva rampant...! have felt the human suffering of my people.' Rafael Cintron-Ortiz Cultural Center. Rafael tion is active in the < was a Puerto Rican professor assassinated struggles of the Pue here in Chicago. community of the s< It was at the University that I became sponsored a Youth I was born on March 27, 1955, on the a history class while a senior at Kelly High aware and involved in other Third World peo- five years. This pro west side of Chicago, the son of Gregorio School. I was encouraged to investigate this ples' liberation struggles. I met and became employment for yoi Cortes and Natalia Acevedo. I have eight sis- subject by Alberto Rodrfguez ,my incarcer- personal friends with members of the Iranian 14-21. The prograr ters: Lucy, Mary, Janet, Anna, Yolanda, ated comrade and patriot and my beloved Students Association, supporters of the Or- Cultural Festival ea< Juanita, Carmen and Magdalena and six brother Julio Cortes. I was further encouraged ganization of Iranian Peoples Fedayee Guer- the talents of our i brothers: Jesus, Miguel, Julio, Jaime, Pedro because I remember asking a history teacher rillas (OIPFG), the Organization of Arab community together and Frank. My loving wife is Alva Isabel why we were not taught Puerto Rican history. Students, supporters of the Popular Front for event. Santiago. We have two beautifu l children: His response was Puerto Rico has no his- the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) a^d The Colectiva C Noemf Natalia, age 6, and Carlos Alberto, tory. Upon completion of my research, the Eritrean Students Association , supporters Latino Cultural Cen age 4. I was required to give a written presentation of the Eritrean Peoples Liberation Front South Ashland Aver My parents were driven from our home- before the class. The teacher and students (EPLF). These organizations uphold the veloped a theatre a: land in 1952, by the depressed colonial were impacted and surprised upon hearing necessity of armed struggle through a pro- Teatro Guanm. It a economy. In Puerto Rico my father was a my presentation because they had heard my longed peoples' war to liberate themselves named after Angel sugar cane cutter, an occupation with no teacher say that Puerto Rico did not have a from a common enemy. Puerto Rican patrio future. This forced migration was a direct re- history. My first involvement in a political organ- assassinated by the I sult of the destruction of the agricultural I continued to pursue my studies at the ization was my participation in the founding at the federal prison economy by U.S. colonialism. My father and University of Illinois, Chicago Circle Campus .I of the Colectiva Don Pedro Albizu Campos, It also serves as a re some relatives arrived in Chicago together arrived at the University in 1974, at the a pro-independence grouping. This was oneof center. The Center h and immediately became dishwashers . He height of a community and student struggle the first public organizations in Chicago to attack by the goverm soon left that job to become a worker in the for a Latin American recruitment program. unconditionally support the armed actions Its survival is due to c same factory for the next twenty-three years. Soon after, I was involved in the founding of the Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacion On June 29, 198 My mother has been a housewife all her life. of the Union for Puerto Rican Students. This Nacional (FALN), never questioning its with three comrad In 1975, they were able to realize the dream student organization was involved in spon- legitimacy. Alejandrina Torres a] of thousands of Puerto Ricans and return to soring political and cultural events as well as In November of 1976, I along with three We are charged with their homeland to live. providing political direction to the Latin other members of our organization, were sub- an attempt to overthi My first knowledge of the revolutionary American student movement in particular, poenaed to appear before a Grand Jury at- U.S. government by struggle was a research project on the study and the overall student movement in general. tacking the Puerto Rican independence move- dependence of Puertc of Don Pedro Albizu Campos and the Nation- Our first victorious student and commu- ment. Our subpoenas were subsequently held in isolation unde alist party. I had to do the research project for nity struggle was the establishment of the dropped. However, we were prepared to go barbaric conditions, to prison to defend the principled position hours per day, denk Siildre nof the world are and socialist Puerto Rico. By doing this, we ht to the death to de- will drive one more nail into the coffin of Latin American Recruitment and Educational of non-collaboration.

[ establish a democratic U.S. imperialism. .Services Program (LARES). This program In June of 1977, our organization was was instituted to guarantee the enrollment dissolved to form the Movimiento de Libera- •ES and continued progress of Puerto Rican, cion Nacional (MLN), a national organiza- Mexican, and Latin American students. tion composed of Puerto Rican and Mexican In September of 1976, the Latin Ameri- activists. in a society can students forced the racist and repressive During the same year (1977), I was also and discrimination are administration to grant us a Latin American involved in establishing a community group Cultural Center. This center was named the called the Colectiva Comunal. This organiza- ve felt the human suffering of my people.' Rafael Cintron-Ortiz Cultural Center. Rafael tion is active in the day to day human rights was a Puerto Rican p'rofessor assassinated struggles of the Puerto Rican and Mexican here in Chicago. community of the south side of Chicago. It It was at the University that I became sponsored a Youth Awareness Program for arch 27, 1955, on the a history class while a senior at Kelly High aware and involved in other Third World peo- five years. This program provided summer o, the son of Gregorio School. I was encouraged to investigate this ples' liberation struggles. I met and became employment for youth between the ages of cevedo. I have eight sis- subject by Alberto Rodriguez, my incarcer- personal friends with members of the Iranian 14-21. The program sponsored a Latino lanet, Anna, Yolanda, ated comrade and patriot and my beloved Students Association, supporters of the Or- Cultural Festival each year to demonstrate d Magdalena and six brother Julio Cortes. I was further encouraged ganization of Iranian Peoples Fedayee Guer- the talents of our youth and to bring the icl, Julio, Jaime, Pedro because I remember asking a history teacher rillas (OIPFG), the Organization of Arab community together in a cultural and social ng wife is Alva Isabel why we were not taught Puerto Rican history. Students, supporters of the Popular Front for event. wo beautiful children: His response was Puerto Rico has no his- the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) ard The Colectiva Comunal established the 6, and Carlos Alberto, tory. Upon completion of my research, the Eritrean Students Association, supporters Latino Cultural Center in 1981, located on I was required to give a written presentation of the Eritrean Peoples Liberation Front South Ashland Avenue. This Center has de- driven from our home- before the class. The teacher and students (EPLF). These organizations uphold the veloped a theatre and singing group called the depressed colonial were impacted and surprised upon hearing necessity of armed struggle through a pro- Teatro Guanm. It also houses a bookstore Rico my father was a my presentation because they had heard my longed peoples' war to liberate themselves named after Angel Rodriguez Cristobal , a ,n occupation with no teacher say that Puerto Rico did not have a from a common enemy. Puerto Rican patriot and martyr who was igration was a direct re- history. My first involvement in a political organ- assassinated by the U.S. government in a cell ion of the agricultural I continued to pursue my studies at the ization was my participation in the founding at the federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida. onialism. My father and University of Illinois, Chicago Circle Campus .I of the Colectiva Don Pedro Albizu Campos, It also serves as a resource and information :d in Chicago together arrived at the University in 1974, at the a pro-independence grouping. This was one of center. The Center has been under constant :came dishwashers. He height of a community and student struggle the first public organizations in Chicago to attack by the government to force its closing. become a worker in the for a Latin American recruitment program. unconditionally support the armed actions Its survival is due to community support. iext twenty-three years. Soon after, I was involved in the founding of the Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacion On June 29, 1983, I was captured along a housewife all her life, of the Union for Puerto Rican Students. This Nacional (FALN), never questioning its with three comrades Alberto Rodriguez, .ble to realize the dream student organization was involved in spon- legitimacy. Alejandrina Torres and Jose Luis Rodriguez. to Ricans and return to soring political and cultural events as well as In November of 1976, I along with three We are charged with "seditious conspiracy," e. providing political direction to the Latin other members of our organization, were sub- an attempt to overthrow the authority of the .ge of the revolutionary American student movement in particular, poenaed to appear before a Grand Jury at- U.S. government by force "to obtain the in- :h project on the study and the overall student movement in general. tacking the Puerto Rican independence move- dependence of Puerto Rico. "We are presently "ampos and the Nation- Our first victorious student and commu- ment. Our subpoenas were subsequently held in isolation under the most inhuman and

> the research project for nity struggle was the establishment of the dropped. However, we were prepared to go barbaric conditions. We are locked up 23 to prison to defend the principled position hours per day, denied regular visiting privi- leges, denied the use of the telephone to call mission of the United Nations. to daily in the American educational ceived. I have lived in a society where racism and family and friends , and our mail and reading system. I still remember a very bitter ex- In 1964, I marrie< discrimination are rampant. I have seen and material is censored. perience that occurred during my first Torres, my faithfu l o Alberto Rodriguez, Alejandrina Torres experienced the severe conditions of poverty, school year. One of my classmates lost He gave meaning to r and myself have assumed the position of unemployment, substandard housin g and his money and the teacher asked if any- tions with his knowlc Prisoner of War. We do not recognize police brutality in the ghettos of Amerikkka. one had seen it. Since I was the only Latina great love of social ju the authority of the United States govern- I have felt the human suffering of my people in the room, the teacher immediately called tor that we both share ment over Puerto Rico nor over combatants here in the rearguard and in Puerto Rico. me in front of the class and began searching We struggled anc captured in the struggle for freedom and in- Since all of our genuine aspirations for my pockets and bookbag. I was often pun- ment with our child dependence. We have been treated and will freedom have been repressed by the brute ished for speaking Spanish in school and the 13 years old, Carlos A be tried as common criminals. However ,we military force of North American imperi- teacher even dared to tell me to go back (from his first marria have demanded that our case be transferred alism, I am convinced that only through a where I came from. daughters Liza Beth a to an international tribuna l of competent prolonged armed struggle will Puerto Rico I always enjoyed any type of work that born in 1966 and 1 jurisdiction such as the Human Rights Com- achieve independence and socialism. involved helping others. When I was 14 married life and the years old, I began to work as a volunteer in shared were a uniqu< ALEJANDRINA TORRES a community social service agency .It was we all learned much, an honor for me to do this work because of were enriched by our the great need that existed. our right to defend After my high school graduation , I years that followed v "...a people who struggle and will continue to struggle for worked as a secretary in my neighborhood as a family nucleus independence and justice, eradicating the yankees from our church, the Martha Memorial Evangelical community for the ri Church. I continued working there until but were not enjoyed 1 soil once and for all." 1963. During this time I tried to enroll in Our children gre evening college courses but discovered that their studies. Norma < I had not taken the required courses . In sity of Puerto Rico other words, because I was Puerto Rican the Alberto studied at So high school had prepared me to work but sity in Carbondale and not to continue my studies. However , I Chicago Circle Can I was born in the community of Florida never lacked motherly love and affection. enrolled in a Junior College and the against college and cl in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico on July 18, This precarious situation and my mother's took courses that I needed. It was then that I A year later, she ga 1939, the ninth child in a family often. My failing health forced us to emigrate to the decided to move to Chicago with my sister. grandchild , Maria. At father died a year after my birth, causing United States. Once in Chicago, I began working for in her senior year of hi my mother to work outside the home to I was only eleven years old when we the Illinois Department of Public Aid, in is in the fifth grade. provide for us. I was aware of our situation moved to New York in 1950. My oldest the Refugee Unit. I saw how the at a very early age, although I could not sister already lived there and my two Cubr' In 1965, I became U.S . government discriminated agains t the identify the source of our problems. My brothers were migrant worker s in Illinois. Congregational Churc Puerto Rican people and how they perfected mother worked in a tobacco factory and I I was demoted for one year when I entered husband serves as paste the reactionary tendencies of the counter remember seeing her come home from work public school, supposedly becaus e I had our family continued i revolutionary groups that they very selec- sick and tired. My mother's illness worsened never studied in the U.S. and spoke little community by strugg] tively allowed into their country . I became and she was hospitalized for a year. My English, although I learned to speak English tion in the neighbor aware of the discrimination and injustices older sister had to leave school to take care during my first month at school. It was viding social services of us. Although the memories of going to then that I became aware of the racial dis- committed against the Puerto Rican and poor economic condi Black people in comparison to the benefits bed hungry are still fresh in my mind, we crimination that our children are subjected From 1972-1973, that these anti-Castro Cuban emigre sre- selor at ASSPA (As of the telephone to call mission of the United Nations. to daily in the American educational ceived. nd our mail and reading I have lived in a society where racism and system. I still remember a very bitter ex- discrimination are rampant. I have seen and In 1964, I married the Rev. Jose Alberto perience that occurred during my first Torres, my faithfu l companero and mentor. ez, Alejandrina Torres experienced the severe conditions of poverty, school year. One of my classmates lost unemployment, substandard housing and He gave meaning to many of my preoccupa- sumed the position of his money and the teacher asked if any- tions with his knowledge of history and his We do not recognize police brutality in the ghettos of Amerikkka. one had seen it. Since I was the only Latina I have felt the human suffering of my people great love of social justice - an essential fac- : United States govern- in the room, the teacher immediately called tor that we both share. :o nor over combatants here in the rearguard and in Puerto Rico. me in front of the class and began searching We struggled and shared this commit- gle for freedom and in- Since all of our genuine aspirations for my pockets and bookbag. I was often pun- ment with our children, Norma, who was e been treated and will freedom have been repressed by the brute ished for speaking Spanish in school and the 13 years old, Carlos Alberto 12 andNitza 11, criminals. However, we military force of North American imperi- teacher even dared to .tell me to go back (from his first marriage) and later with our our case be transferred alism, I am convinced that only through a where I came from. daughters Liza Beth and Catalina, who were tribunal of competent prolonged armed struggle will Puerto Rico I always enjoyed any type of work that born 1966 1972, respectively. he Human Rights Com- achieve independence and socialism. in and Our involved helping others. When I was 14 married life and the experiences that we years old, I began to work as a volunteer in shared were a unique experience in which NA TORRES a community social service agency . It was we all learned much, shared everything and an honor for me to do this work because of were enriched by our national heritage and the great need that existed. our right to defend our homeland. In the rho struggle and will to struggle for After my high school graduation, I years that followed we dedicated ourselves, continue worked as a secretary in my neighborhood as a family nucleus, to working in the ; and justice, eradicating the yankees from our church, the Martha Memorial Evangelical community for the rights that belonged to, Church. I continued working there until but were not enjoyed by our people. for all." 1963. During this time I tried to enroll in Our children grew up and continued evening college courses but discovered that their studies. Norma enrolled at the Univer- I had not taken the required courses. In sity of Puerto Rico in Rib Piedras, Carlos other words, because I was Puerto Rican the Alberto studied at Southern Illinois Univer- high school had prepared me to work but sity in Carbondale and later transferred to the not to continue my studies. However, I > community of Florida never lacked motherly love and affection. Chicago Circle Campus. Nitza decided erto Rico on July 18, This precarious situation and my mother's enrolled in a Junior College and took the against college and chose marriage instead. i in a family of ten. My failing health forced us to emigrate to the courses that I needed. It was then that I A year later, she gave birth to our first after my birth, causing United States. decided to move to Chicago with my sister. grandchild , Maria. At present, Liza Beth is c outside the home to I was only eleven years old when we Once in Chicago, I began working for in her senior year of high school and Catalina the Illinois Department of Public Aid, in is in the fifth grade. > aware of ou r situation moved to New York in 1950. My oldest the Cubr' Refugee Unit. I saw how the , although I could not sister already lived there and my two In 1965, I became a member of the First of our problems. My brothers were migrant workers in Illinois. U.S. government discriminated agains t the Congregational Church where my beloved tobacco factory and I I was demoted for one year when I entered Puerto Rican people and how they perfected husband serves as pastor. Through the church come home from work public school, supposedly because I had the reactionary tendencies of the counter our family continued its commitment to our lother's illness worsened never studied in the U.S. and spoke little revolutionary groups that they very selec- community by struggling for quality educa- :alized for a year. My English, although I learned to speak English tively allowed into their country . I became tion in the neighboring schools and pro- *ave school to take care during my first month at school. It was aware of the discrimination and injustices viding social services to help alleviate the * memories of going to then that I became aware of the racial dis- committed against the Puerto Rican and poor economic conditions of our people. fresh in my mind, we crimination that our children are subjected Black people in comparison to the benefits From 1972-1973, I worked as a coun- that these anti-Castro Cuban emigres re- selor at ASSPA (Association of Spanish Speaking People of America), an organiza- dedicated community people founded the tion that sponsored seminars on leadership Betances Free Clinic. The Clinic provided JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ development and served as a resource and free medical services to needy people who referral center in the areas of housing, otherwise would not have had access to u education and employment. quality medical care. Many years afte r its The charge(Seditious Conspiracy) on] In 1973, I had the honor of being a closing (due to a lack of volunteer doctors) the illusion that we are part of the U.S. anc founding member of the Puerto Rican Cul- the benefits provided by this Clinic can still tural Center. This Center is dedicated to be seen and appreciated. Many of the internal problem." teaching the richness of our culture and his- Clinic's former patients now receive treat- I was born in Chicago on November tory, one that many have forgotten or never ment at the People's Clinic, which provides ther, Santa Iris Rodi 12, 1960. I grew up in the small Puerto knew about. this Center provides high quality dental care for children of all As did thousands oi To day the Rican community on the south side known as the community with a child care center, a ages. my father came to "El Barrio." Though many Puerto Rican high school program, and adult evening During 1979-1981, I again had the privi- worker, picking fruit families were moving to the north side or lege of working at the Puerto Rican Cultural ally made his way a classes, in addition to a showcase of histor- out of Chicago, as a result of the poor Center, this time as a counselor. I worked York. He remained tl ical artifacts, arts and crafts and a 10,000 conditions that existed in our community, volume library. My support for this Center closely with students and their families, a short period of tim our family chose to remain on the south not "paved with £ grew from an understanding for the need to counseling them concerning vocationa l and side. In my 22 years we have moved nine develop an alternative educational system educational opportunities and sensitive propaganda had sa times. Four of those occasions were within people migrate, where our children can learn and feel good family matters such as alcoholism, drug to the same building, from one apartment to Chicago with no moi about themselves and others. I taught Typing abuse, premature pregnancies, child abuse, the next. the way. To this day and General Business courses at the Center etc. In comparison to the majority of Puerto to th e U.S. in search < on a volunteer basis. I also served as trea- I began working as an executive secretary Rican families ,my family is unique. I do not My father found surer for a brief period in 1975. in the Department of Child Psychology at come from a broken home. Most Puerto During I worked with the factory. He has bee 1975-1978, the University of Illinois Medical Center in Rican households are headed by a single First Congregational Church . We initiated years. My mother an 1982. I continued working there unti l my parent. The father is absent, so the mother is a community research project to identify Puerto Rico. She < arrest on June 29, 1983, when I was brutally responsible for raising the children. It is this the immediate needs of our people, create stayed with his si; yanked from my office by federal agents type of relationship within the family that programs to fulfil lthose needs, and identify working at the same and accused of "seditious conspiracy" for the causes many hardships on our people. resources already in existence. As a result and other relatives, sole crime of loving my homeland and my But this relationship itself is a result of of the study, we organized GED and English people, a people who struggle and will con- settled permanently b colonialism, a relationship between colo- classes, a tutoring program for children, tinue to struggle for independence and jus- nizer and colonized, dominator and domi- In speaking with ballet and folkloric dance classes, a summer tice, eradicating the yankees from our soil nated. The response on the part of the dom- by many of the hards youth employment program , a food pan- once and for all. nated directed against those coming to the U.S. try and various seminars on community is not who perpetuate this relationship ,but directed at racism, the treatmen issues. In 1977, our church group and other our own people. In particular, man seeks to grant workers and tl dominate woman in order to reassert the ditions of our peopl manhood that he has been stripped of by to come to the U.S., the colonizer. Rican parents, was I come from a family of five . I have a conditions that exist younger brother and sister, Johnny and U.S. government's n< Yvette and an older half-brother and sister, off the island. This Mariano and Olga from my father's pre- growing revolutiona vious marriage. My father , Juan Rodrf- they will argue tha guez, is from San Lorenzo and my mo- decision to leave, (w 8 America), an organiza- dedicated community people founded the seminars on leadership Betances Free Clinic. The Clinic provided JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ ved as a resource and free medical services to needy people who :he areas of housing, otherwise would not have had access to "The charge(Seditious Conspiracy) only creates /ment. quality medical care. Many years afte r its the honor of being a closing (due to a lack of volunteer doctors) the illusion that we are part of the U.S. and therefore an the Puerto Rican Cul- the benefits provided by this Clinic can still internal problem." ]enter is dedicated to be seen and appreciated. Many of the Clinic's former patients now receive treat- of our culture and his- I was born in Chicago on November ther, Santa Iris Rodriguez, is from Juncos. ment at the People's Clinic, which provides have forgotten or never 12, 1960. I grew up in the small Puerto As did thousands of other Puerto Ricans, high quality dental care for children of all day the Center provides Rican community on the,south side known as my father came to the U.S. as a migrant ages. a child care center, a "El Barrio." Though many Puerto Rican worker, picking fruit in Florida. He eventu- During 1979-1981, I again had the privi- rn, and adult evening families were moving to the north side or lege of working at the Puerto Rican Cultural ally made his way along the coast to New 0 a showcase of histor- out of Chicago, as a result of the poor York. He remained there with his family for Center, this time as a counselor. I worked id crafts and a 10,000 conditions that existed in our community, a short period of time. Since New York was closely with students and their families, support for this Center our family chose to remain on the south not "paved with gold" as the colonial counseling them concerning vocational and tanding for the need to side. In my 22 years we have moved nine propaganda had said to encourage our .ve educational system educational opportunities and sensitive times. Four of those occasions were within people to migrate, he made his way to :an learn and feel good family matters such as alcoholism, drug the same building , from one apartment to Chicago with no money, and hitch hiking all 1 others. I taught Typing abuse, premature pregnancies, child abuse, the next. the way. To this day, thousands still migrate s courses at the Center etc. In comparison to the majority of Puerto to the U.S. in search of work. s. I also served as trea- I began working as an executive secretary Rican families ,my family is unique. I do not My father found a job as a laborer in a >di n1975. in the Department of Child Psychology at come from a broken home. Most Puerto factory. He has been working for over 25 78, I worked with the the University of Illinois Medical Center in Rican households are headed by a single years. My mother and father were friends in . Church. We initiated 1982. I continued working there unti l my parent. The father is absent, so the mother is Puerto Rico. She came to Chicago and rch project to identify arrest on June 29, 1983, when I was brutally responsible for raising the children. It is this stayed with his sister. She too started s of our people, create yanked from my office by federal agents type of relationship within the family that working at the same factory with my father lose needs, and identify and accused of "seditious conspiracy" for the causes many hardships on our people. As a result and other relatives. They were married and existence. sole crime of loving my homeland and my But this relationship itself is a result of anized GED and English settled permanently here in Chicago. people, a people who struggle and will con- colonialism, a relationship between colo- program for children, tinue to struggle for independence and jus- nizer and colonized, dominator and domi- In speaking with my father , I was struck dance classes, a summer tice, eradicating the yankees from our soil nated. The response on the part of the dom- by many of the hardships that he experienced program, a food pan- once and for all. nated is not directed against those who coming to the U.S. In particular, that of minars on community perpetuate this relationship ,but directed at racism, the treatment and condition of mi- church group and other our own people. In particular, man seeks to grant workers and the wretched living con- dominate woman in order to reassert the ditions of our people. My parents' decision manhood that he has been stripped of by to come to the U.S., as that of many Puerto the colonizer. Rican parents, was based on the colonial I come from a family of five . I have a conditions that exist in Puerto Rico and the younger brother and sister, Johnny and U.S. government's need to force our people Yvette and an older half-brothe rand sister, off the island. This was done to stem the Mariano and Olga from my father's pre- growing revolutionary movement. Though vious marriage. My father , Juan Rodrf- they will argue that it was an individual guez, is from San Lorenzo and my mo- decision to leave, (which it was, just as one moves from one neighborhood to the next), In high school I was apolitical. My only selves from colonial domination) tha t I had the material base of colonialism played a concern, being young , was just what was into office to chanj to rethink many of the things that I had major part in their decision to leave; to going on in the streets. I was aware of the focus is also placed learned. That year, I made a commitment to come to the "land of opportunity" where status question of Puerto Rico and out of community controlle support the POWs and the struggle for Puer- opportunity for our people has meant and ignorance more than awareness , I supported our people independe to Rican independence. means a society where our children are mis- statehood. At that point in my life I was not and federal goverm educated, our women mistreated, health, involved in any type of political movement. institutions that will In the community, I joined The Colec- not perpetuate them. housing and employment are inadequate for I the of entered University Illinois tiva Comunal, a community organization on our people to survive, and where our iden- Chicago Circle Campus in January 1979. I was arrested the south side of Chicago. This was my first tity as a people is being destroyed. along with three coi This is my fifth year at the University where experience in organizing the community I attended Libby grammar school . My with "seditious cons I'm completing a double-mayor in Political around issues that affect their daily lives. I experience there is similar to that of many ulous charge when Science and Latin American History . I am a also participated in the founding of the Puerto Rican, Black, Mexican and other Ricans because Puer member of the Union for Puerto Rican Stu- Centro Cultural Latino , an independent oppressed people. In kindergarten, my of the federal state. ' dents, an organization that has been on cam- institution which seeks to address the many parents were told by the teacher that they the illusion that we pus since 1974 and developed as a result of needs of our people, everything from should not talk to me in Spanish. The reason and therefore an int< many issues that concerned Latino students. health-education and pre-natal care to a for this was that I would not grow up to be Rico is a colony, the The UPRS is still active on campus and has G.E.D. program. The state, aware of our a good American if I did not understand the dealt with problems tha t affect the Puerto tional issue of a pe committment to our people, has tried to language. In second grade I was locked in the Rican student body. The UPRS is a colonialism. I am a close the center down. I have also worked on vehicle which is geared to raising the col- presently free on $2! closet by the teacher for about an hour for a community newsletter , La Voz Del talking in Spanish to another student. I hated lective consciousness of our people concern- integrated myself in Barrio that emphasizes the importance ing our colonial conditions in Puerto Rico tinue struggling for tl the teacher so much that I would run out of supporting Puerto Rican independence and in the U.S. homeland. of the class and go home. It got to the point and community organizing instead of the that I would fake being sick .If that did not traditional means of electing Puerto Ricans work, I would jump from the 2nd floor to In my first year, I was not very active the landing between the two floors and fake in the organization, but became increasingly a sprained ankle. I would think of anything aware of the problems that affected our just so that I would not have to go t;o school. people in this country as a direct result of In grammar school the teachers would the colonial relationship that exists between compare the Puerto Rican students to the Puerto Rico and the United States. Puerto white students. I can not say that I received Rican Prisoner of War Luis Rosa, an intelli- an education. It was more of a miseducation gent and principled individua lwhom I great- than anything at all. It was and still is a pro- ly admire, was the president of the Union cess of degradation and assimilation. We are at that time. There were many differences reduced to the level of an animal and then that existed between us, but I learned a great told that in order to move out of this deal from him; these difference swere out "savage" or "ignorant" state we must follow of ignorance about Puerto Rico, rather than the example of the forefathers of this coun- any knowledge about my country. It wasn't try. It is because of the miseducation, the until his arrest in April of 1980, along with denial of our identity as a people, that 10 other Puerto Rican revolutionarie sin- Puerto Ricans lack an understanding of the cluding Alfredo Mendez,(who later betrayed colonial relationship that exists between this the independence movemen t due to his lack country and our homeland, Puerto Rico. of faith in his peoples' ability to free them-

10 11 hborhood next), In high school I was apolitical. My only to the selves from colonial domination) tha t I had into office to change our plight. Major F colonialism played a concern, being young , was just what was to rethink many of the things that I had focus is also placed on the need to create decision to leave; to going on in the streets. I was aware of the learned. That year , I made a commitment to community controlled institution sto serve :> fopportunity17 where status question of Puerto Rico and out of support the POWs and the struggle for Puer- our people independent from the city, state people has meant and ignorance more than awareness , I supported to Rican independence. and federal governments. These are the •e our children are mis- statehood. At that point in my life I was not en mistreated, health, involved in any type of political movement. institutions that will change our conditions, In the community, I joined The Colec- not perpetuate them. nent are inadequate for I entered the University of Illinois tiva Comunal, a community organization on I was arrested on June 29th, 1983 -, and where our iden- Chicago Circle Campus in January 1979. the south side of Chicago. This was my first along with three companeros and charged ig destroyed. This is my fifth year at the University where experience in organizing the community with "seditious conspiracy." It is a ridic- 7 grammar school. My I'm completing a double-mayor in Political around issues that affect their daily lives. I ulous charge when placed against Puerto imilar to that of many Science and Latin American History . I am a also participated in the founding of the Ricans because Puerto Rico is not a part c, Mexican and other member of the Union for Puerto Rican Stu- Centro Cultural Latino , an independent In kindergarten, my dents, an organization that has been on cam- of the federal state. The charge only creates institution which seeks to address the many the illusion that we are a part of the U.S. r the teacher they that pus since 1974 and developed as a result of needs of our people, everything from in Spanish. The reason and therefore an internal problem. Puerto : many issues that concerned Latino students. health-education and pre-natal care to a ould not grow up to be Rico is a colony, therefore, it is an interna- The UPRS is still active on campus and has G.E.D. program. The state, aware of our did not understand the dealt with problems that affec t the Puerto tional issue of a people struggling against committment to our people, has tried to rade I was locked in the Rican student body. The UPRS is a colonialism. I am a political prisoner and close the center down. I have also worked on presently free on $25,000 bond. I have re- • for about an hour for vehicle which is geared to raising the col- a community newsletter , La Voz Del mother student. I hated lective consciousness of our people concern- integrated myself in the movement to con- Barrio that emphasizes the importance ing tinue struggling for the independence of my i our colonial conditions in Puerto Rico that I would run out of supporting Puerto Rican independence and in the U.S. homeland. ome. It got to the point and community organizing instead of the ing sick. If that did not traditional means of electing Puerto Ricans from the 2nd floor to In my first year, I was not very active the two floors and fake in the organization, but became increasingly rould think of anything aware of the problems that affected our ot have to go t;o school. people in this country as a direct result of >o l the teachers would the colonial relationship that exists between Rican students to the Puerto Rico and the United States. Puerto not say that I received Rican Prisoner of War Luis Rosa, an intelli- more of a miseducation gent and principled individua lwhom I great- It was and still is a pro- ly admire, was the president of the Union nd assimilation. We are at that time. There were many differences of an animal and then that existed between us, but I learned a great to move out of this deal from him; these differences wer eout t" state we must follow of ignorance about Puerto Rico, rather than orefathers of this coun- any knowledge about my country. It wasn't f the miseducation, the until his arrest in April of 1980, along with tity as a people, that 10 other Puerto Rican revolutionarie sin- in understanding of the cluding Alfredo Mendez,(who later betrayed that exists between this the independence movemen t due to his lack eland, Puerto Rico. of faith in his peoples' ability to free them-

10 11 WHY DO YOU WANT i INDEPENDENT PUERTO I

"Only through a prolonged, After 85 years of North American colonialism ,the only solution is and socialism. In 1898, the Puerto Rican people controlled and owned 93% oi some semblance of sovereignty with the Autonomous Charter of 1 determined and fierce armed struggle On July 25, 1898, North American imperialism violated our so1 tary conquest. Since that time it has exerted absolute control over \l and cultural life of the Puerto Rican people. All decisions coi

made in Washington to benefit the U.S. ruling class, not in San J will the United States be believe. At present, the supermilitarization and the announcement of th< vision turning our island into eleven industrial/military complexes forced to pull out of Puerto Rico." monstrate yankee imperialism's intentions :the physical destruction o The Puerto Rican people have resisted U.S. colonial dominat order to silence our demand for independence the U.S. has resorted and a conscious program of genocide. This has manifested itself in massacres, assassinations and inc emigration of our people to the ghettos of Amerika, the sterilization Rican women and 20 percent of the men. We have been forced to 1 due to the imposition of U.S. citizenship. The colonizers have attempted to destroy all symbols of nation! flag, our national anthem, our language and culture are just a few exa The only alternative for Puerto Rico to control its own resouro is through independence. It will only be through independence tha nations of the world, and this will only be achieved through people' struggle. WHY DO YOU WANT SOCIALIST PUERTO RI

Socialism is the only system that will begin to address and resolv< QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS mic problems of our society. In Puerto Rico, we presently have a 40% unemployment rate, 80 receives welfare assistance and the rate of illiteracy is very high. Th have the highest rate of infant mortality, alcoholism and suicide. H< housing program are virtually non-existent.

12 13 WHY DO YOU WANT AN INDEPENDENT PUERTO RICO ?

nly through a prolonged, After 85 years of North American colonialism th, e only solution is national independence and socialism. In 1898, the Puerto Rican people controlled and owned 93% of the land. We enjoyed some semblance of sovereignty with the Autonomous Charte rof 1897 granted by Spain. ned and fierce armed struggle On July 25, 1898, North American imperialism violate dour sovereignty through mili- tary conquest. Since that tim eit has exerted absolute control ove rthe political, economic, social and cultural life of the Puerto Rican people .All decisions concerning our future are 11 made in Washington to benefit the U.S. ruling class ,not in San Juan as we are made to the United States be believe. At present, the supermilitarization and the announcemen t of the Plan 2020, which en- vision turning our island into eleven industrial/military complexe sby the year 2020, de- I to pull out of Puerto Rico." monstrate yankee imperialism's intentions th: e physical destruction of our homeland. The Puerto Rican people have resisted U.S. colonial dominatio ann d aggression. In order to silence our demand for independence the U.S. has resorted to brute military force and a conscious program of genocide. This has manifested itself in massacres, assassination s and incarcerations , the forced emigration of our people to the ghettos of Amerika, the sterilization of 40% of the Puerto Rican women and 20 percent of the men. We have been forced to fight in imperialist wars due to the imposition of U.S. citizenship. The colonizers have attempted to destroy all symbols of nationhood; the Puerto Rican flag, our national anthem ,our language and culture are just a few examples. The only alternative for Puerto Rico to control its own resources and national identity is through independence .It will only be through independence tha twe may join the free nations of the world, and this will only be achieved through people's war and revolutionary struggle. WHY DO YOU WANT A SOCIALIST PUERTO RICO ?

Socialism is the only system tha t will begin to address and resolve the social and econo- ESTIONS AND ANSWERS mic problems of our society. In Puerto Rico, we presently have a 40% unemployment rate, 80% of of our population receives welfare assistanc e and the rate of illiteracy is very high. The Puerto Rican people have the highest rate of infant mortality, alcoholism and suicide. Health care and a viable housing program are virtually non-existent.

12 13 This has been the case because United States imperialism has imposed upon us a capi- and usurped the political rights of Puerto Ricans, our island today sti talist/colonial system that benefits the U.S. ruling class and a small comprador bourgeoisie. cultural, religious, linguistic and spiritual separation from the coloni This system of class oppression and exploitation has been successfully combatted and words, Puerto Rico still maintain sits nationhood. As a nation, Puer transformed in other socialist countries such as Cuba, Vietnam and presently in a liberated and political right to wage armed resistance agains tthe foreign occupie Nicaragua. We can probably find no better description of the importance that I The only alternative for Puerto Rico is the abolition of capitalism and the construction on its continued colonial rule over Puerto Rico tha na statement 1 of socialism. a leading ideologue of imperialism. She states, "Pw^rto Rico is neither Socialism is the changing of relations among men ,a society where the instruments and ternational matter. It is a geopolitical bastion of the United States.' means of production are owned by the working class. The working class also become the increased militarization in Puerto Rico and the implementation of Pla owners and distributors of production. is clearly substantiated. All aspects of society are reorganized for the benefit of all the people. For example, What all this represents is that Puerto Rico is an intervened natior education becomes a fundamental right and not a privilege. Education is not an abstract power holds absolute authority ove rits destiny. Puerto Rico is also tl process, but is incorporated with work experienc eto enhance our appreciation of nature imperialism's strategy to maintain hegemony over Latin Americ aand t and human life. Only through a prolonged, determined and fierce armed struggle Free health care is established throughout the country, based not on profit motives but be forced to pull out of Puerto Rico. This does not mean that othe on a genuine concern for the mental arid physical well-being of the people. abandoned. War is an extension of politics; it is a method whereby 1 In Puerto Rico, this would mean the establishment of a true democracy, the rule by the comply with your political demands .All other forms of struggle can be many. prepare the necessary psychological, mora land material conditions foi be free and socialist when the United States has been inflicted with sue WHY IS ARMED STRUGGLE THE ONLY ROAD TO loses its will to continue the war in Puerto Rico. FOLLOW IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE INDEPENDENCE AND SOCIALISM ? WHAT IS SEDITIOUS CONSP1

In order to understand the primacy of armed struggle over other form sof struggle, we must recognize certain realities. We must recognize that Puerto Rico is a colony, an inter- vened nation, and we must recognize the importance that our island has in the overall U.S. The charge of "seditious conspiracy "has its origins in the Alien and strategy to maintain its hegemony in the Americas. It was used by the U.S. government to silence its opponents who were The U.S. invaded Puerto Rico in 1898 and usurped the political, economic and socia l life French revolution. There was so much popular resentment agains tthi of the island . In reaction to resistance by the Puerto Rican people, the U.S. has reformed the tical dissent that it forced the government to pardon all those convict colonial-politica systeml , but true political and economic control is stil ljealously held by the over one hundred years, federal sedition laws wer enot used. U.S . capitalis tclass. During the 1800s, confronted with slave insurrections, individu Colonialism is the subjugatio nby the capitalis tclass of one country over all the peoples their own sedition laws. Many slaves who participated or planned to and natura lresources of another. That capitalis tclass , as history has shown us, wil lnot re- masters and become free were executed under these sedition laws. linquish that power withou t a bloody and determined struggle . In a colonial relationship The present day "seditious conspiracy" laws came into being in t where the antagonism is of a class and national character, that struggle is elevated to its most were used to silence anti-imperialists, particularly leader sand membe brutal and naked form. Workers of the World. The IWW ,known as the "Wobblies," oppose Puerto Rico has the added dimension that at the time the U.S. imposed its colonial rule, World War I. our island had reached a leve l of nationhood. Spain was forced to recognize Puerto Rico's From 1937 to the present, "seditious conspiracy" has been used nationhood by granting the island the Autonomous Charter of 1897. Puerto Rico had entered Puerto Rican independence movement . In 1937, it was used againsi into a process of decolonization which was terminated by the U.S. invasion . Although the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party . In 1954, it was used to silence U.S . destroyed the island's national economy, embarke don a ruthless program of genocide after the heroic attack on Blair House in 1950 and on the U.S. Congn

14 15 ie case because United States imperialism has imposed upon us a capi- and usurped the political rights of Puerto Ricans, our island today still has a psychological, i that benefits the U.S. ruling class and a small comprador bourgeoisie, cultural, religious, linguistic and spiritual separation from the colonizing power. In other class oppression and exploitation has been successfull ycombatted and words, Puerto Rico still maintain sits nationhood. As a nation, Puerto Rico has the moral • socialist countries such as Cuba, Vietnam and presently in a liberated and political right to wage armed resistance agains tthe foreign occupiers. We can probably find no better description of the importance that U.S. imperialism places tive for Puerto Rico is the abolition of capitalism and the construction on its continued colonial rule over Puerto Rico tha na statement by Jeanne Kirkpatrick, a leading ideologue of imperialism. She states,"Puerto Rico is neither a domestic nor an in- changing of relations among men ,a society where the instruments and ternational matter. It is a geopolitical bastion of the United States. " When we look at the i are owned by the working class. The working class also become the increased militarization in Puerto Rico and the implementation of Plan 2020 this statement srs of production. is clearly substantiated. >ciety are reorganized for the benefit of all the people. For example, What all this represents is that Puerto Rico is an intervened nation where the colonizing i fundamental right and not a privilege. Education is not an abstract power holds absolute authority ove rits destiny. Puerto Rico is also the cornerstone of U.S. •porated with work experience to enhance our appreciation of nature imperialism's strategy to maintain hegemony over Latin Americ aand the Caribbean. Only through a prolonged, determined and fierce armed struggle wil lthe United States is established throughou t the country, based not on profit motives but be forced to pull out of Puerto Rico. This does not mean that other forms of struggle are i for the mental arid physical well-being of the people. abandoned. War is an extension of politics; it is a method whereby the enemy is forced to this would mean the establishment of a true democracy, the rule by the comply with your political demands .All other forms of struggle can be waged as long as they prepare the necessary psychological, mora land material conditions for war. Puerto Rico will be free and socialist when the United States has been inflicted with such grea tinjuries that it RMED STRUGGLE THE ONLY ROAD TO loses its will to continue the war in Puerto Rico. OLLOW IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE DEPENDENCE AND SOCIALISM ? WHAT IS SEDITIOUS CONSPIRACY ? rstand the primacy of armed struggle over other form sof struggle, we in realities. We must recognize that Puerto Rico is a colony, an inter- 2 must recognize the importance that our island has in the overall U.S. The charge of "seditious conspiracy "has its origins in the Alien and Sedition Act of 1798. its hegemony in the Americas. It was used by the U.S. government to silence its opponents who were sympathetic with the Puerto Rico in 1898 and usurped the political ,economic and social life French revolution. There was so much popular resentment against thi slaw to suppress poli- ion to resistance by the Puerto Rican people, the U.S. has reformed the tical dissent that it forced the government to pardon all those convicted of this charge. For em, but true political and economic control is still jealously held by the over one hundred years, federal sedition laws wer enot used. During the 1800s, confronted with slave insurrections, individua statel s implemented * subjugatio nby the capitalis tclass of one country over all the peoples their own sedition laws. Many slaves who participated or planned to overthrow their white ; of another. That capitalis tclass , as history has shown us, wil lnot re- masters and become free were executed under these sedition laws. without a bloody and determined struggle . In a colonial relationship The present day "seditious conspiracy" laws came into being in the early 1900s. They i is of a class and national character, that struggle is elevated to its most were used to silence anti-imperialists, particularly leader sand members of the International n. Workers of the World. The IWW ,known as the "Wobblies," opposed U.S. involvement in :he added dimension that at the time the U.S. imposed its colonial rule, World War I. xl a level of nationhood. Spain was forced to recognize Puerto Rico's From 1937 to the present, "seditious conspiracy" has been used exclusively agains tthe ig the island the Autonomous Charter of 1897. Puerto Rico had entered Puerto Rican independence movement . In 1937, it was used against the leadership of the oloni/ation which was terminated by the U.S. invasion . Although the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party . In 1954, it was used to silence the Nationalist Party land's national economy, embarked on a ruthless program of genocide after the heroic attack on Blair House in 1950 and on the U.S. Congress in 1954. In the last

14 15 several years it has been used against Puerto Rican revolutionaries capture din the United to end colonialism has historical preceden t and is recognized as 1( States and accused of being members of the FALN. national community. The charge of "seditious conspiracy" is the "agreement among two or more to oppose It follows from these stated facts that Puerto Rican whs o struggl the authority of the U.S. government by force." The interpretation of this law can be so a legitimate political right, canno t be criminally prosecuted by th< exercising right. broad and vague that it affords the U.S. government a handy tool to repress the Puerto that Rican independence movement . No actual violent act is necessary to charge someone with this offense. The following is an interview with Political Prisone rJose Luis Rodri The U.S. government has declared that the struggle for Puerto Rican independence is an Nationa lCommittee to Free Puerto Rican Prisoner sof War. act of sedition which carries a 20 year sentence. "Seditious conspiracy" is a crime of thought and represents one of the broadest and severest laws of political repression in the world. It is an affront to international views on the right of political dissent and the right to GIVEN YOUR AGE, WHAT E fight colonialism. THINK IS THE TASK WHY IS SEDITIOUS CONSPIRACY OF PUERTO RIGAN YOU

I believe that Puerto Rican youth must involve themselve sin the THE IMPOSSIBLE CRIME? liberate our homeland from yankee imperialism. As a result of the c In a recent newspaper article ,Don Juan Antonio Corretjer ,in his usual eloquent simpli- tween Puerto Rico and the United States, decisions tha t affect our 1 city, called "seditious conspiracy" the "impossible crime." There are three basic reasons mically and politically, are determined by the occupying power. why this charge cannot be applied to Puerto Ricans fighting for the independence of their We must keep in mind that in 1917, the U.S. imposed the Jones nation. making us United States citizens. This act in itself is an attempt to de The law of Sedition, from which seditious conspiracy originate dis the ". . . raising of as a people. In particular it is an ac twhich has been directed agains t 1 commotions and disturbances in the state,- it is a revolt against legitimate government . ." was because of this act that our youth was drafted to fight in W.W.I, The key terms in this passage are "state" • "legitimate government." over and over again with W.W .II., Korea, Vietnam and now Lebanon. In looking at the question of "state" we must first recognize that Puerto Rico is not part The whole colonization process in Puerto Rico has been design of the federal state. All three branches of the United States' government recognize the and oppress our people, but as a genocidal plan to eliminate us as a n unique status that Puerto Rico has with the United States. In 1922, the Supreme Court de- system only miseducates and confuses our youth. The indoctrina clared that Puerto Rico "belongs to, but is not part of, the United States." Since sedition the rewards for many of those who complete an "education'* and wl implies the opposition to the authority of a state by its citizens, and Puerto Ricans are not being part of a nation. Being forced out of the alienating educatio part of that state and citizenship has been imposed on them against their consent, then the beginning of the lumpenization of our youth. seditious conspiracy cannot be used against Puerto Rican freedom fighters. Miseducated , unemployed, alienated and idle, our youth is force The term "legitimate government" meansthe right of a nation/state to exercise sovereignty gang involvement and other vices that become increasingl ydifficult over its citizens. The United States does not have sovereignty over Puerto Rico, meaning only deny our movement future combatants. legitimate and freely accepted authority ove rthe island. Puerto Kico became a possesion of As the imperialist crisis deepens, many of our youth are forced t the United States through an act of war and military occupation . The continuation believing that they will acquire an education and job experience of U.S. control over Puerto Rico is accomplished through absolute North American domi- experience and education they receive is how to combat growing lil nation of its political and economic life and ultimately rests on military force. This status oppressed people. The future of any society depends on the youth, is against the expressed will of the Puerto Rican people who have waged armed struggle tinuing struggle to liberate our homeland and for the construction of to end this relationship. on the ability of our youth to accept the challenge and move forward Puerto Rico is both a colony of the United States as well as a militarily intervened Puerto Rican youth mus t be conscious and clear about what pro nation. Puerto Ricans have the legal, moral and political right and obligation to oppose land and understand why they exist in order to struggle against them, this relationship by any means necessary. The use of armed struggle by colonial subjects our youth, our people, our nation under capitalism. Yanke eimperi

16 17 to end colonialism has historical precedent and is recognized as legitimate by the inter- been used against Puerto Rican revolutionaries capture din the United national community. f being members of the FALN. It follows from these stated facts that Puerto Rican whs o struggle to free their country, seditious conspiracy" is the "agreement among two or more to oppose a legitimate political right, canno t be criminally prosecuted by the colonizing power for 1 U.S. government by force." The interpretation of this law can be so exercising that right. at it affords the U.S. government a handy tool to repress the Puerto movement. No actual violent act is necessary to charge someone with The following is an interview with Political Prisone rJose Luis Rodriguez, conducted by the ment has declared that the struggle for Puerto Rican independence is an Nationa lCommittee to Free Puerto Rican Prisoner sof War. ch carries a 20 year sentence. "Seditious conspiracy" is a crime of nts one of the broadest and severest laws of political repression in the nt to international views on the right of political dissent and the right to GIVEN YOUR AGE, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE TASK IS SEDITIOUS CONSPIRACY OF PUERTO RICAN YOUTH ?

I believe that Puerto Rican youth must involve themselve isn the day to day struggle to IE IMPOSSIBLE CRIME ? liberate our homeland from yankee imperialism. As a result of the colonial relationship be- jpaper article, Don Juan Antonio Corretjer, in his usual eloquent simpli- tween Puerto Rico and the United States, decisions tha t affec t our lives and society econo- us conspiracy" the "impossible crime." There are three basic reasons mically and politically, are determined by the occupying power. not be applied to Puerto Ricans fighting for the independence of their We must keep in mind that in 1917, the U.S. imposed the Jones Act on Puerto Ricans, making us United States citizens. This act in itself is an attempt to deny us our true identity tion, from which seditious conspiracy originate dis the ". . . raising of as a people. In particular it is an act which has been directed against Puerto Rican youth . It turbances in the state; it is a revolt against legitimate government .. ." was because of this act that our youth was drafted to fight in W.W.I . This has been repeated s passage are "state" • "legitimate government." over and over again with W.W .II., Korea, Vietnam and now Lebanon. question of "state" we must first recognize that Puerto Rico is not part The whole colonization process in Puerto Rico has been designed not only to exploit

, All three branches of the United States' government recogniz ethe and oppress our people, but as a genocidal plan to eliminate us as a nation. The educational uerto Rico has with the United States. In 1922, the Supreme Court de- system only miseducates and confuses our youth. The indoctrination of bourgeois vices Lico "belongs to, but is not part of, the United States." Since sedition the rewards for many of those who complete an "education" and who are not conscious of on to the authority of a state by its citizens, and Puerto Ricans are not being part of a nation. Being forced out of the alienating educational system only means nd citizenship has been imposed on them against their consent, then the beginning of the lumpenization of our youth. cannot be used against Puerto Rican freedom fighters. Miseducated ,unemployed, alienated and idle, our youth is forced into the use of drugs, nate government" meansthe rightof a nation/state to exercise sovereignty gang involvement and other vices that become increasingl ydifficul t to combat and which le United States does not have sovereignty over Puerto Rico, meaning only deny our movement future combatants. accepted authority over the island. Puerto Rico became a possesion of As the imperialist crisis deepens, many of our youth are forced to join the U.S. military irough an act of war and military occupation . The continuation believing that they will acquire an education and job experience. In reality the only Puerto Rico is accomplished through absolute North America ndomi- experience and education they receive is how to combat growing liberation movement sof J and economic life and ultimately rests on military force. This status oppressed people. The future of any society depends on the youth. The future of our con- >sed will of the Puerto Rican people who have waged armed struggle tinuing struggle to liberate our homeland and for the construction of socialism also depends tip. on the ability of our youth to accept the challenge and move forward. xnh a colony of the United States as well as a militarily intervened Puerto Rican youth mus t be conscious and clear about what problems affect our home- :ans have the legal, moral and political right and obligation to oppose land and understand why they exist in order to struggle against them. There is no future for any means necessary. The use of armed struggle by colonial subjects our youth, our people, our nation under capitalism. Yanke eimperialism does not give up

17 16 anything , it only strips and robs us, and it robs our nation of the most precious elemen tof formation sCAL (Comandos Armados de Liberacion) and MIRA (M nature, our youth, who fight and die for U.S. imperialism ,in short - for nothing. We should dencia Revolucionario Armado) which raised the independence r ask ourselves, wha tdo we have? To be honest, we have a nation that must be free. leve l of struggle . These two organizations were the impetus for the f Cell-militar organizationy soperating in the U.S. and in Puerto Rico. 1 FALN, FARP^ ,EPB-Macheteros,' OVRP and the CRP are guided ideology and figh tfrom clandestinity. WHY IS THE U.S. WAGING SUCH A FIERCE ATTACK Geo-politically Puert, o Rico is economically and militaril ystrate There are two reasons for this: (1) U.S. imperialism is in a crisis froi ON THE INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT AND able to recover. The North American bourgeoisi ehas chosen to di^ ITS SUPPORTERS AT THIS PARTICULAR America as is evidenced by the invasio nof Grenada and the attack revolution . (2) Th e U.S. is in the process of stripping our nation c HISTORICAL JUNCTURE ? Plan 2020 is a plan to convert Puerto Rico into 11 industrial parks, precious metals for the continuin gdevelopment of its war machiner the cost of our people and our nation. Puerto Rico wil lthus becor The material base has always existed in Puerto Rico for our people to struggle to reclaim human habitation. Puerto Rico is becoming the center of this retre our national sovereignty . In 1898, the U.S. occupied and colonized Puerto Rico. Thi sinva- ring of the School of the Americas from Panama to Puerto Rico, tl sion was violent, as have been all imperialist invasions. Air Force Base , the construction of 17 Nationa lGuard Garrisons in i The U.S. invasion was met with resistance by the Aguila Blanca ,a guerrilla army which the training of armies of other Caribbean nation sin Puerto Rico, all had fought the yankee colonizers for over two years. By the early 1900s, this guerrilla ar- increasing militarizatio nof ou r nation as a springboard to quash ; my was almost non- existen ta result of the balance of forces at that historical moment . The resistance reinforces this proposition. next three decades led to the United States consolidatio nof Puerto Rico as a colonial In order for the U.S. to continue with its imperialis tplans, it r possession economically, politicall yand militarily. tionary sector to a level of impotence. The assassination, incarcerat The issue of independence was brought to its height in the 1930s with Don Pedro Albi- our people is the policy that is being used. Yankee imperialism un zu Campos and the Nationalist Party . The next two decades were great example sof revolu- ties that our people have with the people of Latin America .The d tionary struggle. Politically ,the Nationalist Party put into practice the concept of RETRAI- jets at Murii zAir Base, ready to be used in El Salvador was an actior MIENTO (non-recognition of the colonial power) and used armed struggle to rid our home- cheteros and an example of the revolutionary movement's lov eand sc land of yankee colonialism. of Latin America. The strategy of the U.S. at that time was two fold: (1) to repress the revolutionary Foreign domination means genocide .The invasio nof our homel movement in order to annihilate any and all sentiment of independence and (2) to encou- nization has been and is a violen tone. The yankee bourgeoisie he rage the development of reformist leaders , who would serve yankee imperialism without wil l figh ttooth and nai l to continue colonizin gPuerto Rico. They questioning the relationship between Puerto Ric oand the United States. sical liquidatio nof the revolutionary independence movement. The rearguard struggle developed afte rthe heroic actions of the Grito de Jayuya, the The response of our people must be to accept the challenge and attack on Blair House and the attack on Congress. The latter actions opened up a new front revolutionar ystruggle - to bring the war home, here in the U.S. wh< of struggle for the Puerto Rican people . We must add that after these actions ,the repressive comfortably . We must prepare ourselve sfor a prolonged struggle t< apparatus of the United States was successful in destroying the Nationalist Party. However, sion and audacity to make their lives miserable. this did not destroy the aspirations and will of our people to be free. Sectors of the independence movement reevaluated past form sof struggle and recog- nized that yankee imperialism would destro yany movement for independence . A new stra- WHY DID YOU TAKE T tegy had to be developed to guarantee the surviva lof our just movement. In the late 60s, we saw the emergence of the new movement for Puerto Rican indepen- POSITION OF POLITICAL PR dence. The Young Lords Organizatio nwas a militant and revolutionary group which orga- nized the Puerto Rican community around issue sthat affected our daily lives and linked There are two reasons, firs t and foremost it was a collective dec them with the cause of colonialism. There was also the emergence of two clandestine companeros and myself . This decision is based on the understandin

18 19 ips and robs us, and it robs our nation of the most precious elemen tof formation sCAL (Comandos Armados de Liberacion) and MIRA (Movimiento de Indepen- ho fight and die fo rU.S. imperialism ,in short -- for nothing. We should dencia Revolucionario Armado) which raised the independence movemen tto a higher [o we have? To be honest, we have a nation that must be free. leve l of struggle . These two organizations wer ethe impetus for the formation of five politi- cal-militar yorganizations operatin gin the U.S. and in Puerto Rico. These organizations th, e FALN, FARP, EPB-Macheteros/ OVRP and the CRP are guided by a Marxist-Leninist ideology and figh t from clandestinity. E U.S. WAGING SUCH A FIERCE ATTACK Geo-politically Puert, o Rico is economically and militaril ystrategic to U.S. imperialism. There are two reasons for this: (1) U.S .imperialism is in a crisis from which it has been un- 1 INDEPENDENCE MOVEMEN T AND able to recover. The North American bourgeoisie has chosen to dig their trenches in Latin PORTERS AT THIS PARTICULAR America as is evidenced by the invasio nof Grenada and the attacks upon the Nicaraguan revolution . (2) The U.S. is in the process of stripping our nation of its natural resources. HISTORICAL JUNCTUR E? Plan 2020 is a plan to convert Puerto Rico int o11 industrial parks ,to provide the yankees precious metals for the continuin gdevelopmen tof its war machinery. Thi sis to be done at the cost of our people and our nation. Puerto Ric owil lthus become a terreplain unfi t for * has always existed in Puerto Rico for our people to struggle to reclaim human habitation. Puerto Ric ois becoming the center of this retrenchment .The transfer- ;nty. In 1898, the U.S. occupied and colonized Puerto Rico. Thi sinva- ring of the School of the Americas from Panam ato Puerto Rico ,the reopening of Ramey ave been all imperialist invasions. Air Force Base ,the construction of 17 National Guard Garrison isn the center of the island, i was met with resistance by the Aguila Blanca ,a guerrilla army which the trainin gof armies of other Caribbean nation isn Puerto Rico ,all point to this fact . The ee colonizers for over two years. By the early 1900s , this guerrilla ar- increasin gmilitarization of our nation as a springboard to quash any struggle of popular >xisten ta result of the balance of forces at that historical moment . The resistance reinforces this proposition. led to the United States consolidation of Puerto Rico as a colonial In order for the U.S. to continue with its imperialist plans ,it must reduce the revolu- illy, politically and militarily. tionary secto r to a leve l of impotence . The assassination, incarceratio nand intimidation of :pendence was brought to its height in the 1930s with Don Pedro Albi- our people is the policy tha t is being used. Yanke eimperialism understands the historical Mationalis tParty. The next two decades were great example osf revolu- ties that our people have with the people of Latin America .The destruction of 9 fighter itically ,the Nationalist Party put into practice the concept of RETRAI- jets at Muniz Air Base, ready to be used in El Salvador was an action carried out by the Ma- nition of the colonial power )and used armed struggl eto rid our home- cheteros and an example of the revolutionary movement's lov ane d solidarity for the peoples ialism. of Latin America. the U.S. at that time was twofold:(l) to repress the revolutionary Foreign domination mean sgenocide . The invasion of our homeland and continual colo- o annihilate any and all sentimen t of independence and (2) to encou- nization has been and is a violent one . The yankee bourgeoisi ehas determined that they it of reformist leaders ,who would serve yankee imperialism without wil l figh ttooth and nai l to continue colonizing Puerto Rico. They have opte fodr the phy- onship between Puerto Ric oand the United States, sical liquidatio nof the revolutionar yindependence movement. ruggle developed afte rthe heroic action sof the Grito de Jayuya, the The response of our people mus tbe to accept the challenge and counter that forc ewith e and the attack on Congress . The latter actions opene dup a new front revolutionar ystruggle - to bring the war home, here in the U.S. where the bourgeoisi elives lerto Rican people . We must add that after these actions ,the repressive comfortably . We must prepare ourselve sfor a prolonged struggl eto figh twith all our pas- ted States was successfu lin destroying the Nationalis tParty. However, sion and audacity to make their lives miserable. he aspirations and will of our people to be free. idependence movement reevaluated past form osf struggle and recog- iperialism would destroy any movemen t for independence . A new stra- WHY DID YOU TAKE THE >pe dto guarantee the survival of our just movement, we saw the emergence of the new movemen t for Puerto Rican indepen- POSITION OF POLITICAL PRISONER ? ^ords Organization was a militant and revolutionary group which orga- :an community around issue sthat affected our daily lives and linked There arc two reasons, firs t and foremost it was a collective decision mad eby my three e of colonialism. Ther ewas also the emergence of two clandestine companeros and myself . This decision is based on the understanding tha tall Puerto Ricans

18 19 may not necessarily become Prisoner os f War, but definitely all Puerto Rican smay become Political Prisoners. Thi sis determined by the historical juncture tha tthe movemen t has reached. All those who struggle in clandestinity , either are engaged in political work or armed action or both. Regardless, wha tis of the utmost importanc eis the developmen tof a clandestine mentality ,one which wil l move the independence movement from wher iet can be seen, to where the enemy can no longer see it, but can only fee l the movement . In essence, wha tthe movement possesse sis a sword and shield. As a political prisoner . I am a shield that protects and defends the life of our revolu- tionary movement . The sword, our combatants attac kthe enemy where it can be felt, DECLARATIONS TO THE COl according to a timetable; determine dby the material conditions, neve or n the defensive, a position determine dby the enemy but always on the offensive . We are the arms of a body that once synthesized in history is natural and becomes one. Secondly , it is a position taken not because I am defending myself ,but one taken to de- BY fend the right of my people to be free . At no point should we have faith in this criminal empire's legal system. Havin faitg h in the system leads one to believe that ther eis justice. This is an illusion. EDWIN CORTES, DONT YOU THINK THE POSITION OF POLITICAL PRISONER CONTRADICT STHE POSITION OF ALEJANDRINA TORRES RETRAIMIENTO ? No. The independence movemen tis not at the level where mass struggl eand armed struggle have reached an equilibrium . The existence of public revolutionary organizations AND and of political prisoner sare a result of the historical juncture tha twe f;nd ourselves in. The public organizations exist becaus oef the need to explain the armed actions to the masses. The armed struggle has not reached the level where a guerrilla army can take over a ra- dio station and mobilize the masses to a national strike. Althoug hthe clandestine move- ALBERTO RODRIGUEZ ment has engaged in armed propaganda,thi shas not been enough . The public organizations themselve s work with the masses in raising their consciousnes sin support of the armed struggle . This can be done once the masses begin to overcome their fears. Angel Rodriguez Cristobal stated ,"When you struggle for something just, there is nothing to fear." The U.S. wil l be forced, by increasing deteriorating economic condition ins Puerto Rico and the militanc yof the independence movement t,o limi t the legal perimeters. Ther ewill be many more political prisoners. Fascis mis further developin gand consolidating . Civil liberties are being curtailed as evidenced by the use of criminal contemp t and anonymous juries in the case of the five MLN grand jury resisters. Those of us who are struggling in the above ground movement ,are targets of the vicious and merciless attack sof the state. No longer wil l there be those who struggle by choice, many wil l struggle out of necessity. Once armed struggl eand mass struggle hav ebecome consolidated wher ethe entire populatio nis mobilized in a prolonged struggle, there wil nlo longer be the need for the public movement . The vanguard will have emerged . Unti lthat time, we have to protect the movement, even if it means our freedom or our lives. 21 20 become Prisoners of War, but definitely all Puerto Rican smay become This is determined by the historical junctur ethat the movemen t has who struggle in clandestinity ,either are engaged in political work or h. Regardless, wha tis of the utmost importanc eis the developmen tof a y, one which wil l move the independence movement from wher iet can he enemy can no longer see it, but can only fee l the movement . In 3vement possesses is a sword and shield. risoner . I am a shield tha t protects and defends the life of our revolu- The sword, our combatants attac kthe enemy where it can be felt, DECLARATIONS TO THE COURT table; determined by the material conditions, neve or n the defensive, *d by the enemy but always on the offensive . We are the arms of a body d in history is natural and becomes one. position taken not because I am defending myself ,but one taken to de- BY / people to be free . At no point should we have faith in this criminal n. Having faith in the system leads one to believe that ther eis justice. EDWIN CORTES, OU THINK THE POSITION OF POLITICAL [ER CONTRADICTS THE POSITION OF ALEJANDRINA TORRES RETRAIMIENTO ? ndence movemen tis not at th e leve l wrhere mass struggle and armed d an equilibrium . The existence of public revolutionary organizations AND :>ner sare a result of the historical juncture tha twe f;nd ourselves in. ons exist because of the need to explain the armed actions to the masses, has not reached the level where a guerrilla army can take over a ra- iili/e the masses to a national strike. Althoug hthe clandestine move- ALBERTO RODRIGUEZ armed propaganda,this has not been enough . The public organizations th the masses in raising their consciousnes s in support of the armed ? done once the masses begin to overcome their fears .Angel Rodriguez ten you struggle for something just, there is nothing to fear." forced, by increasing deteriorating economic condition ins Puerto Rico the independence movement ,to limi t the legal perimeters. Ther ewill ical prisoners. Fascism is further developin gand consolidating . Civil mailed as evidenced by the use of criminal contempt and anonymous !ie five MLN grand jury resisters. are struggling in the above ground movement ar, e targets of the vicious s of the state. No longer wil l there be those who struggle by choice, 'U t of necessity. Once armed struggl eand mass struggle have become he entire population is mobilized in a prolonged struggle, ther ewill no 3r the public movement . The vanguard will have emerged. Unti thal t :ec t the movement, even if it means our freedom or our lives. 21 20 industry (pharmaceutica land petrochemical plete politica land eco plants)' which required highly technicalPuerto Rico. workers. This pla ndid not improve our In 1953, under i economic conditions . Its results were an blackmail , the Unite* unemployment rat eof 40 percent, the steril- United Nation s to tak< " we will continue to resist ization of 40 percent of all Puerto Rican list of its colonial territ women of child bearing age and the forced By the close of th colonialism until death do us part." emigration of half of our population to the all U.S. investmen tin slums of the United States, where the yare one-third of its investnr —Edwin Cortes subjected to social and institutionalized was in Puerto Rico. racism. controls 80 percent oi In this country, Puerto Ricans hav the e facturing ,60 percent c highest leve l of unemployment ,the lowest percent of its industria I have assumed the position as a Prisoner passed the Jones Act. Thi sact imposed citi- Puerto Rico is a Cc of War based on the following historical zenship on the Puerto Rican people against per capita income ,the highest rate of infant goods, it produces w reasons. Puerto Ric ois a Latin American our wil land against the decision of the Puerto mortality , the highest percentag eof school sume and consumes > nation with its own national territory, Rican House of Delegates. Puerto Ricans dropouts and other socia l ills such as alco- duce. language , social and cultural makeup . It were used as cannonfodde r for imperialist holism and drug addiction. This clearly It is clear that nor has a distinct national character. wars beginning with Worl dWar I. It is im- depicts a successful polic y of genocide. politica l models imple The colonial relationship between Puertoportant to note that prior to the military In 1948, the United States Congress States have resolved tl Rico and the United States begin son July invasion ,the Puerto Rican people owne d93 passed the Muzzle Law 53, which made it a Rico. Our problems h 25, 1898, when the United States military percent of the land and had their own cur- crime to advocate independence. Thi sis Today a new econ forces invaded Puerto Ric oand toppled its rency. They had a self-sufficien agriculturat l similar to the charge of "seditious con- 2020 Plan, named for tl duly elected government. economy with sugar cane, tobacc oand coffee spiracy/' will bring the total This act of war violated the Charter as profitable exports. In 1950, Public Law 600 wa s passed, Rico. However , we v of Autonomy of 1897, which conferred After the invasion ,our land was literally which converted Puerto Rico int othe so- colonialism unti ldealt upon the nation of Puerto Rico ful l sov- robbed, our currency devalue dand replaced called "Free Associated State". This was an ereign powers. It also began a process of with the American dolla rand our economy act to disguise the imposition of military decolonization. was destroyed . By 1928 four U.S. corpora- rule. The United States still maintained com- On December 10, 1898, Spain ceded tions own 80 percent of the sugar industry Puerto Rico to the United States in the and other arable lan dwas used for military Treaty of Paris . This treaty is illega lsince bases. As imperial repression heightens, so will c it was negotiated withou tthe consultation During the 1930s through the 1950s a It is our only means of survh or representation of the Puerto Rican people. strong independenc eand labor movement In order to consolidate its colonial con- emerged in Puerto Rico to resist colonialism. trol of Puerto Rico ,the United States Con- The Nationalist Party and its leadership were -Alej gress passed the Foraker Act of 1900. annihilated by the U.S. government's armed This act replaced military7 rule with a civilian and repressive forces. Thu sthe United States colonial administration . The governors embarked upon a new economic and politi- values of the subjuga were appointed by the United States Presi- cal plan to transform Puerto Rico. Colonialism is firs t and foremost a system that relies upon forc e— a military conquest antagonistic relations dent as a reward. Puerto Ric owas subjected In the 1940s, it implemented Operation necessary confrontatic to all U.S. laws. Puerto Rico coul dnot make Bootstrap . Our economy was transformed by an imperialist powe r to impose an economic-political-socia lorder upon an op- forces the domm treaties with other nations. from a one crop sugar econom y and light - pressed nation disregardin gthe historic and police, and the In 1917, the United States Congress industry to an economy based on heavy

22 23 industry (pharmaceutica land petrochemical plete politica land economic dominatio nof plants ) which required highly technicalPuerto Rico. workers . This plan did not improve our In 1953, under threat s of economic economic conditions . Its results were an blackmail , the United States force d the unemploymen trate of 40 percent, the steril- United Nations to take Puerto Rico off the ve will continue to resist ization of 40 percent of all Puerto Rican list of its colonial territories. women of child bearing age and the forced By the close of the 1970s one fift hof ialism until death do us part." emigration of half of our population to the all U.S. investmen tin the Third World ,and slums of the United States, where the yare one-third of its investmen tin Latin America, —Edwin Cortes subjected to social and institutionalized was in Puerto Rico . Today U.S. capital racism. controls 80 percent of Puerto Rico's manu- In this country, Puerto Ricans hav the e facturing ,60 percent of its banking , and 90 :he position as a Prisoner passed the Jones Act. This act impose citid - highes t leve l of unemployment ,the lowest percent of its industrial imports. Puerto Rico is a captive marke tfor U.S. the following historical zenshi pon the Puerto Rican people against per capita income ,the highest rate of infant goods, it produces wha t it does not con- co is a Latin American our wil land against the decision of the Puerto mortality , the highest percentag eof school >w n national territory, Rican House of Delegates. Puert o Ricans dropouts and other socia l ills such as alco- sume and consumes wha t it does not pro- d cultural makeup . It were used as cannonfodde r for imperialist holism and drug addiction. This clearly duce. il character. wars beginning with Worl dWar I. It is im- depicts a successful polic y of genocide. It is clear that none of the economic or tionship between Puerto portan t to note that prior to the military In 1948, the United States Congress politica l models implemente dby the United d States begins on July invasion ,the Puerto Rican people owne d93 passed the Muzzle Law 53 , which made it a States have resolve dthe problems of Puerto Rico. Our problems have increase dten fold. ? United States military percen t of the land and had their own cur- crime to advocate independence. Thi sis to Rico and toppled its rency . They had a self-sufficien tagricultural simila r to the charge of "seditious con- Today a new economic model calle dthe lent. economy with sugar cane, tobacc oand coffee spiracy." 2020 Plan, named for the year of its inception, r violated the Charter as profitable exports. In 1950, Public Law 600 wa s passed, will bring the total destructio n of Puerto 1897, which conferred After the invasion ,our land was literally which converted Puerto Rico int othe so- Rico. However , we wil l continue to resist colonialism until death do us part. f Puerto Rico ful l sov- robbed , our currency devalue dand replaced called "Free Associated State". This was an also began a process of with the American dolla rand our economy act to disguise the imposition of military was destroyed . By 1928 four U.S. corpora- rule. The United States still maintained com- 10, 1898, Spain ceded tions own 80 percent of the sugar industry * United State s in the and other arable lan dwas used for military lis treaty is illega lsince bases. As imperial repression heightens, so will our resistance. ithout the consultation During the 1930s through the 1950s a It is our only means of survival." the Puerto Rican people, strong independence and labor movement olidate its colonial con- emerged in Puerto Rico to resist colonialism. the United States Con- The Nationalist Party and its leadership were —Alejandrina Torres 7oraker Act of 1900. annihilate dby the U.S. government's armed .itary rule with a civilian and repressive forces. Thu sthe United States :ion. The governors embarked upon a new economic and politi- :he United States Presi- cal plan to transform Puerto Rico. Colonialism is firs t and foremost a system values of the subjugated people . It is this erto Rico was subjected In the 1940s, it implemented Operation that relies upon forc e— a military conquest antagonisti c relationship that brings about "to Rico could not make Bootstrap . Our economy was transformed by an imperialis t power to impose an necessary confrontation betwee ntwo violent itions. from a one crop sugar econom y and light economic-political-socia lorder upon an op- forces — the dominating force wit hits army lited States Congress industry to an economy based on heavy pressed nation disregardin gthe historic and police, and the colony in response to

22 23 the systematic sand escalating repression. restrictions on all aspects of Puerto Rican nostly women and children . This brutal guard struggle of th< society, especially on its culture, economy attack became known as the Ponce Massacre. tionary in dependence and national identity. In 1947, Albizu Campo sseciured observer borders of the domim In his book;, the Struggle for the Indepen- status from the United Nation s and had In 1954 the attei The Jones Act of 1917 imposed U.S. dence of Puerto) Rico, Juan Antonio Corretjer Puerto Rico placed on the list of colonial again focused on th citizenship on Puerto Ricans. This idea indicites:" new colonial statu sv was debated as early as 1900 and was op- territories. Certainly when the fleet bombarded our Also in 1947, the Jones Act of 1917 based Nationalist s L posed by several senators ,and the House of capital in A^lay, 1898, Puerto Ricans had was ammended to allow the Puerto Rican Cancel Miranda , Irv Delegates , at that time the only body committed no violence against the peqple to elect their own governor for the Figueroa Cordero ati elected by the Puerto Rican people . It was government^, when they entered at first time since the U.S. invasion in 1898. of Representative swe finally passed before Worl dWar I as i tinclud- Guanica, Pfuerto Ricans had committed The Puerto Rican Federa lRelations Act They were imprisone ed mandatory conscriptio nin the military! no violence? that could justify their vio- of 1950 allowed the people of Puerto Rico Cordero died of cane service of the U.S. armed forces . In 1922, lence. Kee'ping our country in their to draf t their own constitution to pave gleet. the second class natur e of the imposed hinds by fforce of arms, the kidnapping the way for U.S. Law 600 which would In 1954, the lea citizenship was revealed when the Supreme of our soovereignty, the to give the colony a new guise 'with its new Party Pedro Albiz u( attempt Court ruled that "Puerto Rico belonged to destroy ourr language and our culture - "Commonwealth" status. arrested and impri< but was not part of the United States." these are tracts of As the repression intensified durin gthe "seditious conspiracy* violence committed Significan t organization and leadership by 40s, 50s , and 60s, so did the resistance. years in prison. imperialism that resorts to violence, emerged as the Puerto Ricans continued their murder anced massacre, and Upon learning of a secret meeting between 1967-69 marked prison exile resistance against U.S. colonial rule . The each time Puerto Governor Murioz Marin and th.e U.S. Secre- revolutionary clande the Ricans begin a nationalis t movemen t was organized in 1922 new stage CDf struggle in of the tary of Defense with the purpose of destroy- Puerto Rico and in t defense and reached its peak in the 30s under the country. ing the Nationalist Party ,armedl attacks were & MIRA). leadership of Pedro Albizu Campo sand the carried out in various cities by the National- Nationalis t Party whose polic y of Retrai- During the 1970s ists. In Jayuya , the Police headquarters was Our history is fifull of examples of resistance miento espoused non-collaboration wit thh e organized a resistance seized and the first free territory of the by the Puerto IRican people against colonial colonial regime includin gits military service. to the U.S. Navy's coi Republic was proclaimed there on October aggression. Repression began to intensif y and in island. 30, 1950. The U.S. media projected it as a The U.S. invasion of Puerto Rico on 1935, under orders from Governor Blanton civil war between Puerto Ricans when in Five revolutionar July 25, 1898,, was met with resistance by Winship ,Puerto Rican police opened fir aet reality U.S. military force s w«er emassively tions; the CRP, O small bands of guerrillas whose only weapon a Nationalist Party rall ykilling four persons. involved , wounding hundred s and arresting Macheteros also em was the mache-te in comparison to the mili- (This became known as the Rio Piedras and incarcerating ove r3,000. during this period, tary strengt hoof the invading forces. How- Massacre) . In response to this attack , the In response to the false accounts that have assumed respoi ever, this did niiot wane their determination. U.S . Chief of Police, Colonel Francis Riggs were given by the media, th e Nationalist armed actions in the These small baand s of rebels spread to dif- was executed by two Nationalists w were ho Party extended the cry for independence tc The struggle of ferent parts of the island and on August 13, also killed at the police station in Rio the heart of the empire to bring to the atten- also intensified anc 1898, Puerto Rlican patriots proclaimed the Piedras. tion of the American peopl ew hat was really response to the U.S. second RepubLli cof Puerto Rico in Ciales. In 1936, Albizu Campos, Jua nA. Corretjer happening in Puerto Rico . On November 1, 75 percent of their (The firs t was s proclaimed in Lares under and the whole governing boar dof the Nation- 1950, Oscar Collaz oand Griselio Torresola bases and the use of Spanish coloniaal rule in 1868). alist Party were imprisone don charges of went to see the President of the U.S. and in practices. Many con: The Forakeer Act of 1900 replaced mili- seditious conspiracy. attempt Torresola, alon gvA^it ah secret place but the most s: tary rule with aa garrison regime of appointed In 1937, Puerto Rican police, agai unn - service agent, was killed and Colflazo seriously over of the United 5 military goverrnors for the next twenty der orders from Governor Winship opened wounded. Collazo serve d29 years in prison. May of 1979, twei years The po »pula rresistance became even fire at a peaceful demonstratio nin Ponce That date marked the beginning of the rear- arrested, seven o f 1 greater with cthe imposition of stringent killing 21 persons and wounding 150 more -

24 25 calating repression. restrictions on all aspects of Puerto Rican mostly women and children. This brutal guard struggl e of the Puerto Rican revolu- society, especiall yon its culture, economy attack became know nas the Ponce Massacre. tionary independence movement insid thee and national identity. In 1947, Albizu Campos secured observerborders of the dominating power. Struggle for the Indepen- status from the United Nation s and had In 1954 the attention of the world was The Jones Act of 1917 imposed U.S. , Juan Antonio Corretjer Puerto Rico place don the list of colonial again focused on the true nature of the citizenship on Puerto Ricans. This idea territories. new colonial status whe non March 1, U.S. was debated as early as 1900 and was op- be fleet bombarded our Also in 1947, the Jones Act of 1917 based Nationalists Lolita Lebron, Rafael posed by several senators ,and the House of 898, Puerto Ricans had was ammended to allow the Puerto Rican Cancel Miranda , Irvin Flores and Andres Delegates , at that time the only body violence against the peqple to elect thei r own governor for the Figueroa Cordero attacke dthe U.S. House elected by the Puerto Rican people . It was ^en they entered at first time since the U.S. invasion in 1898. of Representatives woundin g5 congressmen. finally passed before Worl dWar I as i tinclud- Ricans had committed The Puerto Rican Federal Relation Acs t They were imprisone dfor over 25 years - ed mandatory conscriptio nin the military could justify their vio- of 1950 allowed the people of Puerto Rico Cordero died of cancer due to medica l ne- service of the U.S. armed forces . In 1922, our country in their to draft thei r own constitution to pave glect. the second class natur e of the imposed >/ the kidnapping the way for U.S. Law 600 which would In 1954, the leader of the Nationalist arms, citizenship was revealed when the Supreme Party Pedro Albizu Campo was s once more nty, the attempt to Court ruled that "Puerto Rico belonged to give the colony a new guise with its new iage and our culture - but was not part of the United States." "Commonwealth" status. arrested and imprisoned on charges of >/ violence committed Significan t organization and leadership As the repression intensifie dduring the "seditious conspiracy" and sentenced to 10 iat resorts to violence, emerged as the Puerto Ricans continued their 40s, 50s , and 60s, so did the resistance. years in prison. were, prison and exile resistance against U.S. colonial rule .The Upon learning of a secret meeting between 1967-69 marke dthe emergence of the **uerto Ricans begin a nationalist movemen twas organized in 1922 Governor Munoz Marin and the U.S. Secre- revolutionary clandestine organization sin iggle in defense of the and reached its peak in the 30s under the tary of Defense with the purpose of destroy- Puerto Rico and in the United State s(CAL & MIRA). leadership of Pedro Albizu Campo sand the ing the Nationalist Party, armed attacks were Nationalist Party whose polic yof Retrai- carried out in various citie sby the National- During the 1970s, the people of Culebra examples of resistance miento espoused non-collaboration wit thh e ists. In Jayuya , the Police headquarter swas organized a resistance movemen tin response people against colonial colonial regime includin gits military service. seized and the firs t free territory of the to the U.S. Navy's constant bombin ogf their Repression bega n to intensif y and in Republic was proclaimed ther eon October island. 3n of Puerto Rico on 1935, under orders from Governor Blanton 30, 1950. The U.S. media projecte dit as a civil war in Five revolutionary clandestine organiza- met with resistanc eby Winship ,Puerto Rican police opene dfire at between Puerto Ricans when tions; the CRP, OVRP , FARP and the lias whose only weapon a Nationalist Party rall ykilling four persons. reality U.S. military forces were massively Macheteros also emerge din Puerto Rico :omparison to the mili- (This became know n as the Rio Piedras involved , wounding hundred sand arresting and incarcerating ove r3,000. during this period. Meanwhile th, e FALN invading forces. How- Massacre) . In response to this attack , the In response to the false account s that have assumed responsibilit yfor over 100 ne their determination. U.S. Chief of Police, Colonel Francis Riggs were given by the media , the Nationalist armed action s in the United State sto date. > f rebels spread to dif- was executed by two Nationalists w ho were Party extended the cry for independenc eto The struggle of the people of Vieques land and on August 13, also killed at the police statio n in Rio the heart of the empire to bring to the atten- also intensifie d and continues today in patriots proclaime dthe Piedras. tion of the American people wha wat s really response to the U.S. Navy's occupation of Puerto Rico in Ciales. In 1936, Albizu Campos, Jua An . Corretjer happening in Puerto Rico . On Novembe r1, 75 percent of their small islan dfor naval laimed in Lares under and the whole governing boar dof the Nation- 1950, Oscar Collaz oand Griselio Torresola bases and the use of it sshores for bombing in 1868). alist Party were imprisone don charges of of 1900 replaced mill- went to see the Presiden t of the U.S. and in practices. Many confrontations have taken seditious conspiracy. the attempt Torresola, along wit ha secret ion regime of appointed place but the most significan twas the take- In 1937, Puerto Rican police, agai unn - service agent ,was killed and Collazo seriously over of the United States' Camp Garcia .In for the next twenty der orders from Governor Winship opened wounded. Collazo serve d29 years in prison. May of 1979, twent y one persons were resistance became even fire at a peaceful demonstratio nin Ponce That date marke dthe beginning of the rear- arrested, seven of whom were trie d and nposition of stringent killing 21 persons and wounding 150 more -

24 25 sentenced to six month prison terms in the was devised by the Departmen t of Justice to military-industria complel x unlike any other A second compom U.S. federal prisons. charge Grand Jury resisters with contempt in the world. Plan 2020 calls for the mining creation of eleven inc On November 11, 1979, Angel Rodriguez of court, a charge that carrie sa maximum of strategic mineral sin the central mountains parks wil l be involved Cristobal, a member of the Liga Socialists sentence of up to life imprisonmen tin com- of Puerto Rico ,the establishmen tof eleven minerals mined in Puer Puertorriquefia and one of the seven arrested parison to the previous maximum sentence industria l parks, and the expansion of the areas. Petro-chemica in Vieques, was found hung in his cell at the of 18 months for civi l contempt. present U.S. military presenc eon the island companies ,some of wh federal penitentiary in Tallahassee, Florida Between 1975-77 , 10 persons (6 in New to 17 military bases circling the island's coast- on the island ,will also In retaliation for his murder, a coordinated York and 4 in Chicago) were imprisone dfor line. The benefit of these p attack on a Navy personne lbus was carried refusa l to collaborate with a Federal Grand According to Plan 2020, open-pi tor strip island is that since Puei out in Sabana Seca by a combined revolu- Jury investigating the independence move- mining wil l be utilized to extract strategic the United States , locai tionary strike force .The attack, which took ment. Between 1978-1981, the Grand Jury mineral^ from Puerto Rican soil. These stra- no jurisdiction ove rthe place on December 2, 1979, left two techni- exiled four Puerto Ricans from their home- tegic minerals such as nickel , cobalt, chro- the same time, they ar cians dead and ten others wounded. land to serve sentences in the U.S. At pre- mium , manganese and copper are important safety and environmen The Federal Grand Jury is one of the sent, four member s of the Movimiento de in the manufacture of weapons, especially air- U.S. factories. aspects of the current wave of repression Liberacion Nacional and another Puerto crafts and nuclear bombs. These mining sites, The ecological and expressly directed at isolating and destroying Rican activis tare awaiting a Court of Appeals which already numbe r17, are in the prepara- by these industria lpa] the revolutionary independence forces decision on their case. tory stage. Road construction from coastAt present due to phai who stand in the way of U.S. efforts to deal The continued pattern of repression and areas to the mining sites have already begun. chemica l plants belchi with the current economi c and political resistance is the real aspect of colonialism. This year alone , 150 million dollars in loans air and water, serious h crisis of its commonwealth status . It is used We understand that repressio nwill be con- and grants have been earmarked by the U.S. the island . Over 2,00 as an information gathering devic eand to stant although it may vary according to the governmen t for mineral exploration and stu- sufferin g early sexual imprison independentista sand activists for course of the political struggle .As imperial dies. Two mining sites have already bee nde- high estrogen level sin refusin g to talk. In 1982, a new strategy repression heighten s so will our resistance. forested. cent of all second grad It is our only means of survival. This type of mining wil lhave a disastrous of Barceloneta are mei effect on the ecology of Puerto Rico . The contamination from n open-pit mining alone would create enormous plants. Elderly peopl< craters 2,000 feet deep and a mile wide. It is cancer, heart and lung ; expected that 7.3 millio ntons of earth would A third and impor be removed leaving behind vast barren deserts. is the super-militarizat This is why Puerto Rican men and women of conscience Eighty percent of the island's fresh water ing to the already hes and courage risk everything to end this genocide supply wil lbe contaminated . The U.S. Corps Since 1898, Puerto Ri< of Engineer sare presently constructin gtwo tant outpost for the U. and free Puerto Rico from colonial rule." massive dams and other waterwork sto supply to its geographic loci] the large amounts of water that these mining ideal to control importa operations require. This reroutin gof Puerto intervention s in other -Alberto Rodriguez Rico's natural waterways, especiall ity s under- tral America nnations. ground rivers , wil l create wastelands where Plan 2020 entail stl- lush vegetation exists today. Unuseabl ore e velt Roads, already the will be dumped into the sea after it has been in the world. Thirtee

mixed with chemicals to extract the mineral lands arc occupied by ] The U.S. governmen t is implementing a form the island. This project called Pla n2020, content from the rock. This will seriously of Vieque sforms an i comprehensive military and industrial policy envisions that between the years 1985 and disrup t the balance of nature and raise the Roosevelt Roads nave for Puerto Rico which will completely trans- 2020, Puerto Rico wil lbe transformed into a temperature of the surrounding ocean by ten small island which is pa percent. 26 27 >nth prison terms in the was devised by the Departmen tof Justice to military-industrial complex unlik ane y other A second component of Plan 2020 is the charge Grand Jury resisters with contempt in the world. Plan 2020 calls for the mining creation of eleven industrial parks. These , 1979, Angel Rodriguez of court, a charge that carrie sa maximum of strategic mineral sin the central mountains parks wil l be involved in the processing of r of the Liga Socialists sentence of up to life imprisonmen tin com- of Puerto Rico ,the establishmen tof eleven minerals mined in Puerto Rico as well as other me of the seven arrested parison to the previous maximum sentence industria l parks, and the expansion of the areas. Petro-chemica l and pharmaceutical id hung in his cell at the of 18 months for civil contempt. present U.S. military presenc eon the island companies, som eof which already have plants in Tallahassee, Florida Between 1975-77 , 10 persons (6 in New to 17 military bases circlin thg e island's coast- on the island, will also be part of these parks. 5 murder, a coordinated York and 4 in Chicago) were imprisone dfor line. The benefit of these plants operatin gon the :rsonnel bus was carried refusa l to collaborate with a Federal Grand According to Plan 2020, open-pit or strip island is that since Puerto Rico is a colony of by a combined revolu- Jury investigating the independence move- mining wil l be utilized to extract strategic the United States, local governmen wilt l have The attack, which took ment. Between 1978-1981, the Grand Jury mineral^ from Puerto Rican soil . These stra- no jurisdiction over these industries, whil aet 2, 1979, lef ttwo techni- exiled four Puerto Ricans from their home- tegic minerals suc has nickel, cobalt, chro- the same time, they are exempt from labor, :hers wounded, land to serve sentence s in the U.S. At pre- mium , manganese and copper are important safety and environmental laws which regulate ind Jury is one of the sent, four member s of the Movimiento de in the manufacture of weapons, especially air- U.S. factories. ent wave of repression Liberation Nacional and another Puerto crafts and nuclear bombs. These mining sites, The ecologica land human damage caused isolating and destroying Rican activis t are awaiting a Court of Appeals which already numbe r17, are in the prepara- by these industrial parks wil bl e enormous. lependence forces decision on their case. tory stage. Road construction from coastAt present due to pharmaceutica land petro- y of U.S. efforts to deal The continued patter nof repression and areas to the mining sites have already begun. chemica l plants belching pollution int othe conomic and political resistance is the real aspec t of colonialism. This year alone , 150 million dollars in loans air and water, serious health hazards exis otn wealth status. It is used We understand that repression wil bl e con- and grants have been earmarke dby the U.S. the island . Over 2,000 young children are athering device and to stant although it may vary according to the government for mineral exploratio nand stu- suffering early sexual developmen tdue to itistas and activists for course of the political struggle .As imperial dies. Two mining sites have already bee nde- high estrogen level s in the air. Fifteen per- i 1982, a new strategy repression heighten sso will our resistance. forested. cent of all second grade childre nin the town It is our only means of survival. This type of mining will have a disastrous of Barceloneta are mentally retarde ddue to effect on the ecology of Puerto Rico . The contamination from nearby pharmaceutical open-pit mining alone would create enormousplants. Elderly peopl esuffe r high levels of craters 2,000 feet deep and a mile wide . It is cancer ,heart and lung ailment s. expected tha t7.3 million tonsof earth would A third and important par tof Plan 2020 be removed leaving behind vast barren deserts.is the super-militarizatio nof the island ,add- Puerto Rican men and women of conscience Eighty percent of the island' s fresh water ing to the already heavy militar ypresence. •age risk everything to end this genocide supply wil lbe contaminated . The U.S. Corps Since 1898, Puerto Ric ohas been an impor- of Engineer sare presently constructin gtwo tant outpos t for the U.S. military .This is due ee Puerto Rico from colonial rule." massive dams and other waterwork sto supply to its geographic location which makes it the large amounts of water that thes emining ideal to control importan tsea lanesandlaunch operations require. This reroutin ogf Puerto intervention s in other Caribbean and Cen- -Alberto Rodriguez Rico's natural waterways, especiall yits under- tral American nations. ground rivers , wil l create wastelands where Plan 2020 entail sthe expansion of Roose- lush vegetation exists today. Unuseabl ore e velt Roads, already the largest U.S .nava lbase will be dumped into the sea after it has been in the world. Thirteen percen tof the best mixed with chemical sto extract the mineral lands arc occupied by U.S. bases . The island nent is implementing a form the island. This project called Plan 2020, content from the rock. This will seriously of Vieques form s an important par t of the ry and industrial policy envisions that between the years 1985 and disrup t the balance of nature and raise theRoosevelt Roads naval base. Vieque iss a h will completely trans- 2020, Puerto Rico wil bl e transformed into a temperature of the surrounding ocea nby ten smal lisland which is part of Puerto Rico and percent. 26 27 lies to its immediate east. Despite the fierce within the next five years 146,000 Puerto Political Prisoner Jose Luis Rodriguez delivered the following sp opposition of its 7,000 inhabitants, the U.S. Ricans will leave the island. 1983, at an activity commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the Grito Navy has occupied more than 2/3 of the On the sterilization front, U.S . "family island. It is used primarily for military exer- planning programs" have already sterilized cises and bombardment practice wit h live forty percent of all women of child-bearing "...when I made the commitment to strugg] ammunition. In 1981, a military exercise age and twenty five percent of the men. Plan my people three years ago , I was clear ; called Ocean Venture 81 was conducted in 2020 calls for the acceleration of this number Vieques. An invasion of Cuba and Grenada even though Puerto Rico now has the highest would happen and what the consequc was simulated in this exercise. Using this rate of sterilization in the world. 17 villages my participation would be." experience, the U.S. military illegally and located in mining areas are experiencing zero —Jose L criminally invaded the island-nation of Grena- growth rates. da several weeks ago. Greetings to all of you who are here this afternoon. Today we an In conjunction with these plan sthe U.S. While Plan 2020 has a futuristic sound ,it Grito de Jayuya and also a new strategy of struggle—prolonge darmec intends to transfer powerful communication is a present threat and reality. U.S. policy guard. towers from Panama to Puerto Rico, expand toward Puerto Rico has always had as its goal Our case, the case of the 4, is part of the international case of Puei the size and role of the national guard, place the destruction of the national character of now, as in the past, is trying to destroy the revolutionary movement .T< nuclear weapons on the island and after 10 Puerto Rico. Plan 2020 takes this policy one are trying to intimidate our people and our struggle. years, re-open Ramey Air Force Base. step further, for it calls for the total destruc- I am a political prisoner and a defendant in this case. I am defer One of the most salient results of Plan tion of the physical existence of the island people to be free. The enemy will try to use this position agains tmy 2020 will be the drastic depopulation of the and the elimination of its people. movement. They wan tto hold back the political work, they wan tt( island . Plan 2020 requires tha t by the year While Plan 2020 may mean super profits destroy the revolutionary movement . It is very important that we unde 2020, the population of Puerto Rico will be and military security for the U.S., it repre- control the legal elements , but we do control the political elements . W reduced from over four million to 1.5 million sents genocide for Puerto Rico. This is why this legal system . We have to have faith in the Puerto Rican people, people. This depopulation will be achieved Puerto Rican men and women of conscience people to be free. by forced emigration from the island to the and courage, risk everything to end this geno- I am young. I am 22 years old and when I made the commitment U.S. and sterilization. It is estimated that cide and free Puerto Rico from colonial rule. fend my people three years ago ,I was clear about what would happe consequences of my participation. I known that our struggle is just, th it no matter how much they try. Everything that is happening in the world has an explanation. The systems, capitalism and socialism. We have to decide which system w Capitalism is a system that oppresses humanity; socialism is a system th socialist and part of the historical process that battles against imperialisi or Grenada like other young men defending imperialism .I am not part ol that oppresses the entire world. If the state puts me in jail or kills me, history will recognize that I w liberation process and that I defended my beloved homeland, hand an lism. We have to study the world and nature, the victories and errors of c have to internalize and apply them in our lives. We have to support the clandestine formations in Puerto Rico. They represen tthe best exampl people in struggle. Imperialism is in crisis. Each day this system becomes more repres loping and the preparations for a Third World War are being realized, must continue moving forward, bringin gthe independence movemen tt 28 29 east. Despite the fierce within the next five years 146,000 Puerto Political Prisoner Jose Luis Rodriguez delivered the following speech on October 30, 00 inhabitants, the U.S. Ricans will leave the island. 1983, at an activity commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the Grito de Jayuya. more than 2/3 of the On the sterilization front, U.S. "family narily for military exer- planning programs" have already sterilized "...when I made the commitment to struggle and defend icnt practice with live forty percent of all women of child-bearing '81, a military exercise age and twenty five percent of the men. Plan my people three years ago, I was clear about what e 81 was conducted in 2020 calls for the acceleration of this number would happen and what the consequences of n of Cuba and Grenada even though Puerto Rico now has the highest is exercise. Using this rate of sterilization in the world. 17 villages my participation would be." . military illegally and located in mining areas are experiencing zero —Jose Luis Rodriguez * island-nation of Grena- growth rates. Greetings to all of you who are here this afternoon . Today we are commemorating the ith these plans the U.S. While Plan 2020 has a futuristic sound, it Grito de Jayuya and also a new strategy of struggle—prolonge darmed struggle in the rear- Dwerfu communicatiol n is a present threat and reality. U.S. policy guard. to Puerto Rico, expand toward Puerto Rico has always had as its goal Our case, the case of the 4, is part of the international case of Puerto Rico. The enemy, he national guard, place the destruction of the national character of now, as in the past, is trying to destroy the revolutionary movement . To do this, the yankees the island and after 10 Puerto Rico. Plan 2020 takes this policy one are trying to intimidate our people and our struggle. I am a political prisoner and a defendant in this case. I am defending the right of my r Ai r Force Base. step further, for it calls for the total destruc- salient results of Plan tion of the physical existence of the island people to be free. The enemy will try to use this position against my comrades, against the stic depopulation of the and the elimination of its people. movement. They wan tto hold back the political work, they wan tto create divisions and quires that by the year While Plan 2020 may mean super profits destroy the revolutionary movement . It is very important that we understand that we do not control the legal elements, but we do control the political elements. We cannot have faith in 1 of Puerto Rico will be and military security for the U.S., it repre- ur million to 1.5 million sents genocide for Puerto Rico. This is why this legal system. We have to have faith in the Puerto Rican people ,in the capacity of our alation will be achieved Puerto Rican men and women of conscience people to be free. from the island to the and courage, risk everything to end this geno- I am young. I am 22 years old and when I made the commitment to struggle and to de- i. It is estimated that cide and free Puerto Rico from colonial rule. fend my people three years ago , I was clear about what would happen and what were the consequences of my participation. I known that our struggle is just, the enemy cannot deny it no matter how much they try. Everything that is happening in the world has an explanation. There are only two world systems, capitalism and socialism. We have to decide which system we are going to defend. Capitalism is a system that oppresses humanity; socialism is a system that humanizes. I am a socialist and part of the historical process that battles against imperialism .I am not in Beirut or Grenada like other young men defending imperialism .I am not part of this capitalist system that oppresses the entire world. If the state puts me in jail or kills me, history will recognize that I was part of that human * liberation process and that I defended my beloved homeland, hand and fist against imperia- lism. We have to study the world and nature, the victories and errors of other movements. We have to internalize and apply them in our lives. We have to support the FALN and the other clandestine formations in Puerto Rico. They represen tthe best example of the Puerto Rican people in struggle. Imperialism is in crisis. Each day this system becomes more repressive. Fascism is deve- loping and the preparations for a Third World War are being realized. We cannot wait. We must continue moving forward, bringin gthe independence movemen tto the highest possible 28 29 level. We can be sure that in Puerto Rico - as in Latin America -- the armed struggle is being prepared. Puerto Rico is part of a world process, an inevitable historical process . Our homeland is a colony and it is on th eroad to decolonization. We should understand North American • imperialism so that we can understand why there is an FALN in the rearguard as part of the P.O.W .AI anti-colonial process. The revolutionary movemen t has an appointment with imperialism. This tim ewe will RODRIGU not postpone it. UNTIL VICTORY ALWAYS! FAMI LONG LIVE FREE AND SOCIALIST PUERTO RICO!

(Above) POW Alberto Rodriguez with his children Yazmin, 6 years old and Ricardo Alberto, I year old. (Right)POW Rodriguez and his loving com- panera of nine years, Carmen Santana- Rodrfguez.

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