Scholars for Oscar López Rivera An Initiative of the National Boricua Human Rights Network (NBHRN) 2739 W. Division Street, Chicago, IL 60622 • www.boricuahumanrights.org • [email protected]

Oscar López Rivera Freedom Campaign People of conscience in and around the world – including prominent figures such as Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu, acclaimed novelist and activist Arundhati Roy, and philosopher and public intellectual Cornel West – have joined their voices in support of the immediate release of the longest held political prisoner in Puerto Rican history.

Oscar López Rivera, 71, has spent the last 32 years of his life in U.S. prisons under torturous conditions, isolated from his people and his loved ones, and punished for his internationally recognized commitment to the independence of Puerto Rico.

A community organizer, decorated Vietnam veteran, father and grandfather, he is serving a 70-year sentence for seditious conspiracy, the exact charge levied against South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela. In López Rivera’s case, he participated in the struggle to end the U.S. colonization of Puerto Rico, which began in 1898 at the conclusion of the Spanish-American War. Though he was not convicted of harming or killing anyone, he has served more time in prison than many people convicted of violent offenses. Moreover, his co-defendants - released in 1999 by a presidential executive clemency – are produc- tive, law-abiding members of civil society.

An international campaign is currently calling on U.S. President Barack Obama to immediately commute the sentence of Oscar López-Rivera. In 2014 – the thirty-third year of his incarceration – this campaign is launching a new initiative: Scholars for Oscar López Rivera. This initiative seeks to integrate intellectuals, writers, and re- searchers into the campaign to free López Rivera.

Ways to Support 1) Submit letter of support on university/department stationery. (See attached template). 2) Reach out to other professors of conscience to join the Scholars for Oscar López Rivera initiative. 3) Circulate general public petition to your students, friends, and other allies (See attached petition). 4) Organize educational teach-ins, forums, and activities on your campus.

For More Information on the Case of Oscar López Rivera On Democracy Now Send letters and/or petitions to the www.democracynow.org/2013/5/31/oscar_lpez_rivera_after_32_years National Boricua Human Rights Network Statement from the People’s Law Office www.peopleslawoffice.com/case-of-oscar-lopez-rivera/ E-mail: Commentary published by Counterpunch [email protected] http://bit.ly/1kYLDX9 Or Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Oscar López Rivera Mail: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi7uorpvmSs ATTN: Alejandro Molina Oscar López Rivera’s published letters to granddaughter 2739 W. Division Street Chicago, IL 60622 http://bit.ly/1cjoFoX Oscar López Rivera Biography

Puerto Rican political prisoner from high school and entering clinics and other community Oscar López Rivera has served college, he soon had to abandon his institutions; and convince the 33 years in prison as of May 29, studies to help support his family. government and utility companies 2014, convicted of seditious to hire people of color. conspiracy for his commitment Drafted into U.S. Army to the independence of Puerto Like many young Puerto Rican Joined the Rico, though he was not accused men, he was drafted into the Independence Movement or convicted of causing harm or U.S. Army and sent to Vietnam. He came to understand the taking a life. There he began to understand his importance of a people’s self- identity as a Puerto Rican, seeing determination, and also worked other Puerto Rican soldiers with for the release of five Puerto Rican Puerto Rican flags on their helmets Nationalist Party prisoners serving and talking about independence the equivalent of life sentences in and self-determination for Puerto U.S. prisons for their commitment Rico. He began to see that he to Puerto Rican independence. had more in common with the Learning that hundreds of Puerto Vietnamese people, fighting for Ricans had suffered prison for this their own independence and self- just cause, he could little imagine determination, than he had with that one day he would become the the U.S. armed forces. He was longest held of them all. decorated with the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in ground Disproportionately sentenced, operations against hostile forces. torturous prison conditions In 1981, after his conviction for Worked to improve seditious conspiracy and sentence Honorably discharged from the of 55 years for being part of Serving a sentence of 70 years, he is Army, he returned home to find the Armed Forces of National the longest held political prisoners Chicago’s Puerto Rican community Liberation, prison authorities began in the history of Puerto Rico and in dire straits: many close friends to single him out for more onerous one of the longest held in the world. and neighbors had succumbed treatment. In 1986, following a He is 71 years old, and will be 80 by to the drug epidemic; the government sting operation, he and the time of his release date in 2023. problems of education, housing, others were accused of conspiring No other country keeps its political unemployment and health had to escape from prison, and he was prisoners behind bars for as many reached catastrophic levels; and sentenced to an additional 15 decades as does the . the power structure responded years. Again, he was not convicted with negligence and bigotry. of causing harm or taking a life. Early Years Born in 1943 in San Sebastián, Unwilling to ignore these unjust The government used the sting Puerto Rico, at age 14 he moved conditions, he became a talented operation as justification for placing to Chicago, as part of “Operation community organizer, helping to him in supermax prisons under Bootstrap,” a mass migration of implement bilingual education; torturous conditions of isolation for to U.S. cities in integrate the public universities; more than 12 years, during which search of work. He quickly learned offer educational programs in the he saw his family only through a English and helped his Spanish- prisons; found alternative schools, glass barrier, deprived of all human speaking neighbors. Graduating health and drug rehabilitation contact. His granddaughter was

1 seven years old when he was have been released in September Three U.S. presidents have finally able to hug her for the first of 2009. Oscar has now served an exercised the pardon power with time. When his mother died from additional 15 years in prison with Puerto Rican political prisoners: Alzheimer’s, he was not allowed to good discipline. attend her funeral. Those released in 1999 were • President Truman in 1952 received with a hero’s welcome, commuted Nationalist Party In prison, the other prisoners and went on to live productive, prisoner ’s death affectionately call him “El Viejo” law-abiding lives, fully integrated sentence to one of life in prison; (old man). He has taught many into civil society. of them to read and write, and to • President Carter in 1977 speak English. A self-taught artist, President Clinton did not offer to commuted the sentence of his paintings and drawings were commute the sentence of Oscar’s Nationalist Party prisoner Andrés exhibited in Not Enough Space, an co-defendant Carlos Alberto Figueroa Cordero, and in 1979 exhibit that traveled throughout Torres, also serving a sentence commuted the sentences of the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Mexico. of 70 years, also never accused Nationalist Party prisoners Oscar He now teaches fellow prisoners to or convicted of causing harm or Collazo, Lolita Lebrón, Rafael draw and paint. A voracious reader, taking a life. In July of 2010, he Cancel Miranda and , he tries to keep abreast of current was paroled after serving 30 years, after they served 29 and 25 years in world events. A vegetarian and and also received with a hero’s prison; exercise enthusiast, he works hard welcome. to maintain his health. • President Clinton in 1999 Oscar is now the only one of his commuted the sentences of Edwin 1999 commutations generation still in prison. Cortés, , Ricardo In 1999, President Clinton Jiménez, , Dylcia commuted the sentences of eleven Parole denied Pagán, Juan Segarra Palmer, Alberto of Oscar’s co-defendants after they The U.S. Parole Commission Rodríguez, Alicia Rodríguez, Lucy served from 16 to 20 years, having recently unjustifiably denied Oscar Rodríguez, , Alejandrina determined that their sentences parole, ordering that he serve Torres, and Carmen Valentín, after were disproportionately lengthy. another 15 years behind bars before they served 16 and 20 years in He offered to commute Oscar’s he would be considered again for prison. sentence, on the condition that parole, when he will be 83 years he serve an additional ten years in old. Postal mailing address: prison with good discipline. Oscar did not accept the offer, as it did Clemency Oscar López Rivera not include all the Puerto Rican A petition for commutation of 87651-024 political prisoners, and because he his sentence is pending, and asks FCI Terre Haute, PO Box 33 knew, from his extensive experience President Obama to exercise his Terre Haute, IN 47808 at the hands of his jailers, that constitutional powers to grant if he accepted they would never Oscar immediate release. The have allowed him to successfully petition enjoys wide support complete the conditions. Under in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the president’s offer, he would internationally.

National Boricua Human Rights Network, 2739 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622 • www.boricuahumanrights.org

2 Oscar López Rivera Reasons for Release

• Convicted of seditious con- in prison with no disciplin- leaders (United Methodist spiracy (conspiring against ary infractions, because he Church, United Church the authority of the U.S. felt his jailers would manu- of Christ, Rev. Wilfredo de over Puerto Rico). facture false charges and Jesús, Rev. Luis Cortés). not allow him to complete • Not convicted of harming or this term, and because • Broad support for his release killing anyone. 1999 presidential com- in Puerto Rico: govern- mutation did not include ment (Governor Alejandro • Age 71, serving a sentence two of his companions, he García Padilla, Senate, of 70 years. rejected the offer. House of Representa- tives, City Councils); civic • Has served more than 32 • The two not included in the leaders (Puerto Rico Bar years in prison, since his 1999 offer have since been Association; Puerto Rico May 29, 1981 arrest. released. College of Physicians and Surgeons); labor (Team- • Held in solitary confinement • Is the only one from his case sters, Change to Win, for more than 12 of those remaining behind bars. UTIER, Puerto Rican 32 years, subjected to Workers Central); church- sensory deprivation, sleep • U.S. Army veteran, served in es and religious leaders deprivation, psychological Vietnam, decorated with (Ecumenical and Interre- torture. Bronze Star. ligious Coalition of Puerto Rico, Archbishop Roberto • Release date June 26, 2023, • Former community organizer González Nieves); academ- when he will be 80 years in Chicago’s Puerto Rican ic and artistic community old. and Latino communities. (Ricky Martin, Calle 13).

• Most co-defendants released • Father of Clarisa, 42 year • Broad support for his release in 1999 by presidential old with MBA; grandfa- internationally: UN De- commutation of their ther of Karina, 23 year old colonization Committee, disproportionate sentences master’s degree candidate; CELAC, World Federation ranging from 35 to 90 older family members aging of Trade Unions Region of years; all living productive, and passing away. the Americas, Archbishop law-abiding lives. Desmond Tutu. • Broad support for his release • In 1999 when offered com- in U.S.: labor (SEIU, AFL- mutation which required CIO, AFSCME, LCLAA); him to serve 10 more years churches and religious

National Boricua Human Rights Network, 2739 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622 • www.boricuahumanrights.org

3 YOUR LETTERHEAD GOES HERE

Honorable Barack H. Obama President of the United States 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, D.C.

Re: Oscar López Rivera, 87651-024 FCI Terre Haute

Dear President Obama,

As [your title, such as elected Member of the Chicago City Council] I write to urge you to commute Mr. López Rivera’s sentence and grant him immediate release. I am glad to add my voice to the chorus of many national and international figures and human rights and religious organizations who support his release, including the United Nations Decolonization Committee.

Mr. López Rivera, a 68-year-old Vietnam veteran and former community organizer, was one of many Puerto Rican men and women arrested in the early 1980’s and convicted of acts related to the movement for the independence of Puerto Rico and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 35 to 90 years. In August of 1999, President Clinton determined that their sentences were disproportionately lengthy, and offered to commute them to time served. Most accepted the President’s offer, and the Puerto Rican people on the island and in Puerto Rican and Latino communities throughout the U.S. welcomed them as heroes. As to Mr. López Rivera, he offered to commute his sentence on the condition that he serve an additional 10 years in prison with no disciplinary infractions, making his release date September of 2009. Had he accepted the offer, he would have been released over two years ago. Meanwhile, he has successfully served an additional 12 years with no disciplinary infractions.

President Clinton’s critics insisted that those released were unrepentant terrorists who would engage in acts of violence and create havoc and mayhem. None of their predictions has come true. Since 1999, his compatriots established productive, law-abiding lives, embraced by and fully integrated into civil society, and after just five years, the Parole Commission granted early termination of their supervision, with the full support of Puerto Rican civil society. In July of 2010, the Parole Commission granted release to his compatriot Carlos Alberto Torres, after he served 30 years of his 70-year sentence, again at the urging of Puerto Rican civil society, in the U.S. and on the island, and the human rights community. In 2009, when Attorney General holder was questioned in his confirmation hearings, he defended President Clinton’s decision to grant clemency as “reasonable,” noting that they had not committed any acts resulting in death or bodily injury, mentioning the significant amount of time they had served in prison, and listing the broad support for their release, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and other Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, Coretta Scott King and President Carter.

Mr. López Rivera is now the only pro-independence prisoner arrested in the 1980’s who is still in prison.

The stellar record established by all of Mr. López Rivera’s compatriots, as well as the breadth of economic, social and family support that awaits him, certainly provides assurance that he will conduct himself in similar fashion.

As [your title, such as elected Member of the Chicago City Council], I urge you to commute his sentence and grant him immediate release. Thank you.

Yours truly, [your title, such as elected Member of the Chicago City Council] LIST OF SUPPORT for Oscar López Rivera’s Release (partial list post-1999)

INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL RESOLUTIONS/LETTERS OF SUPPORT FCI Terre Haute circa 2011 United Nations Decolonization Committee Resolutions (various years, in- Age 68 cluding the following:) Special Committee decision of 17 June 2013 concerning Puerto Rico A/AC.109/2013/L.6

Special Committee decision of 18 June 2012 concerning Puerto Rico A/AC.109/2012/L.7

Special Committee decision of 20 June 2011 concerning Puerto Rico A/AC.109/2011/L.6

With mother Andrea Special Committee decision of 17 June 2010 concerning Puerto Rico Rivera “Mita” A/AC.109/2010/L.8. (now deceased) USP Leavenworth Special Committee decision of 15 June 2009 concerning Puerto Rico circa 1982 Age 39 A/AC.109/2010/L.8.

Special Committee decision of 15 June 2009 concerning Puerto Rico A/AC.109/2009/L.13.

Special Committee decision of 9 June 2008 concerning Puerto Rico A/AC.109/2008/L.7.

Special Committee decision of 14 June 2007 concerning Puerto Rico http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/LTD/N08/280/25/PDF/N0828025. pdf?OpenElement In US Army circa 1965 Age 22 Special Committee decision of 12 June 2006 concerning Puerto Rico http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/LTD/N07/297/33/PDF/N0729733. pdf?OpenElement

Special Committee decision of 13 June 2005 concerning Puerto Rico http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/LTD/N06/301/15/PDF/N0630115. pdf?OpenElement

Special Committee decision of 14 June 2004 concerning Puerto Rico http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/LTD/N05/302/27/PDF/N0530227. pdf?OpenElement

Special Committee decision of 9 June 2003 concerning Puerto Rico http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/LTD/N04/296/38/PDF/N0429638. pdf?OpenElement

6 Special Committee decision of 10 June 2002 concerning Puerto Rico http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/LTD/N03/356/03/PDF/N0335603. pdf?OpenElement

Senado, Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico [Senate, Free Associated State of Puerto Rico] (May 2013)

Cámara de Representantes, Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico [House of Representatives, Free Associated State of Puerto Rico] (May 2004) With brother José FCI Terre Haute Cámara de Representantes, Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico [House of circa 2010 Representatives, Free Associated State of Puerto Rico] (October 2006) Age 67

Cámara de Representantes, Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico [House of Representatives, Free Associated State of Puerto Rico] (March 2013)

Cámara de Representantes, Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico [House of Representatives, Free Associated State of Puerto Rico] (November 2013)

Puerto Rico House of Representatives Popular Democratic Party Caucus

Popular Democratic Party, Governing Board (June 2012)

Declaration of the Association of Mayors of Puerto Rico

Resolution of the Colegio de Abogados de Puerto Rico [Puerto Rico Bar As- sociation]

American Association of Jurists (Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 2008; Caracas, Venezuela, September 2009; Quito, Ecuador, 2010)

American Association of Jurists (Statement to General Assembly of Human Rights Council, Geneva, Switzerland, March 12, 2012)

American Association of Jurists, Puerto Rico Chapter

International Association of Democratic Lawyers (Hanoi, Viet Nam, June 2009)

National Lawyers Guild (Seattle, WA, 2009; New Orleans, LA, 2010; Phila- delphia, PA, 2011)

World Council of the Socialist International (Costa Rica, January 2012)

Alianza Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra América (February 2012)

Foro Mundial (Sao Paolo, January 2012)

Comunidad de Estados Latinoamericanos y Caribeños (December 2011)

Conferencia Permanente de Partidos Políticos de América Latina y el Caribe Regional Ecumenical Organizations and National Council of Churches Con- sultation on Conciliar Ecumenism (February 2012, Lebanon)1

7 Council of Churches of Puerto Rico (October 2013)

United Methodist Church (Fort Worth, TX)

Methodist Church of Puerto Rico (Río Piedras, Puerto Rico)

United Church of Christ (28th General Synod, Tampa FL, July 2011) With sister Clara (now deceased) Congreso Latinoamericano y Caribeño por la Independencia de Puerto Rico FCI Terre Haute [Latin American and Caribbean Congress for the Independence of Puerto circa 2009 Age 66 Rico] (Panamá, 2006)

Partido Alternativo Popular de Panamá (July 2011)

Resolution of the Puerto Rican Agenda for the 21st Century (New York City)

Human Rights Commission of the Bar Association of Puerto Rico

Coalición Ecuménica e Interreligiosa de Puerto Rico2 [Ecumenical and Inter- religious Coalition of Puerto Rico] Consejo Latinoamericano de Iglesias [Latin American Council of Churches]

Socialist International, Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean (Guatemala)

Amnesty International, Puerto Rico Chapter

City Council of San Juan

City Council of Hormigueros

City Council of Lajas

City Council of Guánica

City Council of San Sebastían

City Council of Comerío

City Council of Mayagüez

City Council of Jayuya

City Council of Aibonito

City Council of Añasco

1. Twenty-six General, Executive Secretaries and leaders of national and regional councils of churches from Switzerland, India, Ethiopia, Nigeria, , Jamaica, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Korea, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Canada, Norway, Hong Kong, Finland, Malaysia, Tahiti, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Ecuador, Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Puerto Rico, signed on to this letter.

8 City Council of Toa Baja

City Council of Rincón

City Council of Arroyo

City Council of Guayanilla With daughter Clarisa and grandaughter City Council of Peñuelas Karina USP Terre Haute circa 1999 City Council of Aguada Age 56 City Council of Yauco

City Council of Moca

City Council of Ponce

Service Employees International Union Executive Bureau [representing 2.1 million members] (May 2012)

American Federation of State, Councils, and Municipal Employees [rep- resenting 1.4 million workers in the United States and Puerto Rico] (40th National Convention, September 2012)

3rd General Congress of the Federation of Workers of the Universities of the Americas (CONTUA) (Mexico City, October 2013)

Asociación de Empleados Jubilados de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Inc. [Association of Retired Employees of the University of Puerto Rico, Inc.] (September 2013)

Central Puertorriqueña de Trabajadores / Confederación Sindical de las Américas [24 unions, representing 45,000 workers] (May 2012)

Federación de Trabajadores / AFL-CIO [16 unions, representing 45,000 work- ers] (May 2012, November 2012)

Coalición Alianza Laboral / Change to Win [4 unions, representing 45,000 workers] (May 2012)

2. This Coalition includes all the major denominations in Puerto Rico: Monseñor Ro- berto O. González Nieves, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Juan; Monseñor Rubén González, Bishop of the Caguas Diocese and President of the Puerto Rican Conference of Bishops; Reverend Esteban González Dobles, General Pastor, Disciples of Christ in Puerto Rico; Reverend Felipe Lozada Montañez, Bishop of the Lutheran Synod in the Caribbean and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Reverend Roberto Dieppa Báez, Execu- tive Minister, Baptist Church of Puerto Rico; Reverend Edward Rivera Santiago, General Pastor, United Evangelical Church of Puerto Rico; Reverend Rafael Moreno Rivas, Bishop of the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico; Reverend Eunice Santana, Caribbean Institute of Ecumenical Action and Formation, and Past President of the World Council of Churches; Anc. Edwin Quiles Rodríguez, Executive, Presbyterian Church, Puerto Rican Synod; Rever- end Heriberto Martínez Rivera, General Secretary, Biblical Society of Puerto Rico.

9 Coordinadora Sindical [17 unions, representing 17,000 workers] (May 2012)

Teamsters Local Union No. 901, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands [representing more than 3,800 workers in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands] (September 2012)

USP Marion Unión de Abogados y Abogadas de Servicios Legales de Puerto Rico [Union circa 1998 of Legal Services Attorneys of Puerto Rico] (December 2013) Age 55 Unión de Trabajadores de la Industria Eléctrica y Riego de Puerto Rico (UTIER) Convention [Union of Electrical and XXXX] (November 2013)

Colegio de Profesionales en el Trabajo Social de Puerto Rico [Association of Social Work Professionals of Puerto Rico] (May 2013)

Asociación Nacional de Escuelas de Trabajo Social de Puerto Rico [National Association of Social Work Schools of Puerto Rico] (May 2013)

Comité Latinoamericano y Caribeño de Organizaciones, Profesionales de Tra- bajo Social /Servicio Social [Social Work / Social Service Professionals, Latin American and Caribbean Committee (May 2013)

Concilio Cristo Nuestra Justicia en Puerto Rico (2013)

Orden de la Solidaridad ‘El Mehdi Ben Barka’ otorgada por la Organización de Solidaridad con los Pueblos de Asia, África y América Latina (OSPAAAL) [‘El Mehdi Ben Barka’ Solidarity Award, awarded by the Organization of Soli- darity with the Peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America] (2013)

U.S./Cuba/Mexico/Latin America Labor Conference (Tijuana, August 2012)

International Network of Women Against Militarism (Puerto Rico, February 2012)

Un Pueblo: Diálogo de líderes puertorriqueños sobre asuntos sociales y me- canismos procesales para resolver el asunto del estatus [One People: Dialogue of Puerto Rican leaders about social affairs and procedural mechanisms to resolve the status question; including Service Employees International Union, Unión General de Trabajadores UGT 1199PR, Sindicato Puertorriqueños de Trabajadores SPT1996] (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

Hermandad de Empleados Exentos No Docentes de la Universidad de Puerto Rico [Brotherhood of Exempt Non Teaching Employees of the University of Puerto Rico]

El Partido de los Trabajadores [Workers Party]

World Federation of Trade Unions, Region of the Americas

International Syndicate of Elevator Constructors of Mexico

10 Cooperative of Equipping and Maintaining Vertical Transport of Mexico

Popular Alternative Party of Panama

14th Congress of the International Democratic Federation of Women (April 2007) With friend in Army Liga de Cooperativas de Puerto Rico [Cooperative League of Puerto Rico] circa 1966 (June 2013) Age 23

Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito de la Federación de Maestros de Puerto Rico [Puerto Rico Federation of Teachers Credit Union] (April 2013)

Cooperativa Ahorro y Crédito de la Casa del Trabajador

Cooperativa de Viviendas el Alcazar (June 2013)

Grito de los Excluidos Conference (Santo Domingo; Madrid)

Conmemoración del

Conmemoración del Cero de los Mártires

Veterans for Peace Convention (Madison, Wisconsin, 2013)

Centro Cultural Cirilo W. Meijers, Comerío, Puerto Rico

Partido Nacionalista de Puerto Rico

Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño

Federacion de Universitarios Pro Independencia (Puerto Rico)

Movimiento Socialista de los Trabajadores (Puerto Rico)

Frente Socialista (Puerto Rico)

Coordinadora Latinoamerica y Caribeña de Puerto Rico

Movimiento Independentista Nacional Hostosiano

Movimiento al Socialismo (Puerto Rico)

Partido Comunista de Puerto Rico

Brigada Juan Rius Rivera

Frente Amplio de Solidaridad y Lucha (FASyL)

La Nueva Escuela

Organización Puertorriqueña de la Mujer Trabajadora

11 Casa las Américas (New York City)

Central Florida Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (April 2012)

Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, National Executive Board (July 2012)

FCI Terre Haute First Congress for Regional Political Integration (Uruguay, April 2012) circa 2010 Age 67 Puerto Rico College of Physicians and Surgeons (June 2012)

18th Meeting of the Sao Paolo Forum (July 2012)

Summit on Human Rights 2012 for the Release of Oscar López Rivera and to the Memory of Attorney Juan Santiago (San Juan, December 7-10, 2012)

ELECTED OFFICIALS AND CIVIC LEADERS

Daniel Ortega, President of Nicaragua

Nicolas Maduro, President of Venezuela

Raúl Alfonsín, ex-President of Argentina

Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Argentina

Mairead Corrigan Maguire, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Ireland

José Ramos Horta, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, East Timor

Rigoberta Menchú, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Guatemala

Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, United States

Alejandro J. García Padilla, Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Aníbal Acevedo Vilá, Former Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Sila M. Calderón, Former Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Pedro Rosselló, Former Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Eduardo A. Bhatia, President of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

David E. Bernier Rivera, Secretary of State, Department of State of the Com- monwealth of Puerto Rico

Augustín Montañéz Allman, Esq., Veterans Advocate of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico 12 Carlos J. López Nieves, former Procurador del Ciudadano [Ombudsman]

Carmen Yulín Cruz Soto, Mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico; former Represen- tative, House of Representatives of Puerto Rico

William Miranda Marín, Mayor of Caguas, Puerto Rico (deceased) With daughter Clarisa Pedro J. García Figueroa, Mayor of Hormigueros, Puerto Rico circa 2010 Age 67 Josean Santiago, Mayor of Comerío, Puerto Rico

Dámaso Serrano, former Mayor of Vieques, Puerto Rico

Javier Jiménez Pérez, Mayor of San Sebastián, Puerto Rico

Aníbal Vega Borges, Mayor of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico

María de Lourdes Santiago, Senator,

Norma Burgos, Senator, Senate of Puerto Rico

Rubén Berríos Martínez, former Senator, Senate of Puerto Rico; President, Puerto Rican Independence Party

Juan Dalmau, candidate for

Ana Irma Rivera Lassén President, Colegio de Abogados de Puerto Rico [Puerto Rico Bar Association]

Osvaldo Toledo Martínez, ex-President, Colegio de Abogados de Puerto Rico [Puerto Rico Bar Association]

Julio Fontanet, ex-President, Colegio de Abogados de Puerto Rico [Puerto Rico Bar Association]

Arturo Hernández, ex-Presidente, Colegio de Abogados de Puerto Rico [Puerto Rico Bar Association]

Eduardo Villanueva Muñoz, Former President, Colegio de Abogados de Puerto Rico [Puerto Rico Bar Association]

Noel Colón Martínez, Former President, Colegio de Abogados de Puerto Rico [Puerto Rico Bar Association]

Eduardo Morales Coll, President, Ateneo Puertorriqueño

Norman Maldonado, M.D., FACP, Former President, University of Puerto Rico

José Jaime Rivera, Ph.D., President, Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, and Former Chair, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities

13 Jorge L. Sánchez, M.D., Professor Ad-Honorem, University of Puerto Rico, and Former Acting President, University of Puerto Rico, and Former Chan- cellor of Medical Sciences and of Río Piedras Campus

Luce López Baralt, Distinguished Professor, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus

Iván A. Otero Matos, President Board of Directors, Cooperative League of At family-owned and Puerto Rico operated resturant circa 1968 Mildred Santiago Ortiz, Executive Director, Cooperative League of Puerto Age 25 Rico

José E. Serrano, Member of U.S. Congress (D-NY)

Luis V. Gutiérrez, Member of U.S. Congress (D-IL)

Nydia M. Velázquez, Member of U.S. Congress (D-NY)

Pedro R. Pierluisi, Member of U.S. Congress (D-PR)

Alan Grayson, Member of U.S. Congress (D-FL)

Rubén Díaz, Sr., Senator, State of New York Senate

José Rivera, Assemblyman, State of New York Assembly

Nelson L. Castro, State Assemblyman, New York State Assembly

Peter Rivera, State Assemblyman, New York State Assembly

Cármen Arroyo, Assemblywoman, State of New York Assembly

Tony Payton, Jr., State Representative, Pennsylvania House of Representa- tives

Nickie J. Antonio, State Representative-elect, Ohio House of Representa- tives

Melissa Mark Viverito, Speaker, City Council of the City of New York

Joel Rivera, Council Member, City Council of the City of New York

Rosie Méndez, Council Member, City Council of the City of New York

Gale A. Brewer, Council Member, City Council of the City of New York

Letitia James, Council Member, City Council of the City of New York

Brad Lander, Council Member, City Council of the City of New York

Ydanis Rodríguez, Council Member, City Council of the City of New York

14 Jumaane Williams, Council Member, City Council of the City of New York

Danny Dromm, Council Member, City Council of the City of New York

María del Carmen Arroyo, Council Member, City Council of the City of New York Chicago, circa 1969 Annabel Palma, Council Member, City Council of the City of New York Age 26

Charles Barron, Council Member, City Council of the City of New York

Margaret S. Chin, Council Member, City Council of the City of New York

Fernando Cabrera, Council Member, City Council of the City of New York

María D. Quiñones Sánchez, Councilwoman, City Council of the City of Philadelphia

John Avalos, Member, Board of Supervisors, City and County of San Fran- cisco, California

Angel Ortiz, former Council Member, City Council of Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania

Billy Ocasio, former Alderman, City of Chicago

Roberto Maldonado, Alderman, City of Chicago; former Member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, Chicago

Jesús G. García, Member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, Chi- cago

Edwin Reyes, Member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, Chicago

Cynthia Soto, State Representative, State of Illinois House of Representa- tives

Iris Y. Martínez, State Representative, State of Illinois House of Representa- tives

Gayle McLaughlin, Mayor, City of Richmond, California

Manny Ortiz, former Deputy Mayor, City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Maxime Roumer, Senator of the Republic of Haiti

Susana Baca, ex-Minister of Culture of Perú; Singer/Songwriter

Edward James Olmos, actor

Danny Rivera, Singer/Songwriter

Roy Brown, Singer/Songwriter

15 Tito Auger, Singer/Songwriter

Jacobo Morales, Filmmaker

Miguel Zenón, Musician and composer, Multiple Grammy Nominee, Guggen- heim and MacArthur Fellow

Eduardo Lalo, Writer, Artist FCI Terre Haute circa 2011 René Pérez Joglar (Residente) and Eduardo José Cabra Martínez (Visitante) of Age 68 Calle 13, record-breaking Latin Grammy winners

Robi Draco Rosa, Grammy and Latin Grammy winner

Miguel Luciano, Artist

José M. Rodríguez Báez, President, Puerto Rico Federation of Labor (FTPR, AFL-CIO)

Ramón L. Fuentes, President, Federación Puertorriqueña de Trabajadores

Luis Pedraza Leduc, Labor Coordinating Committee

Carmen Velázquez, Executive Director, Alivio Medical Center, Chicago

Álvaro R. Calderon, Jr., Attorney, Bufete Álvaro R. Calderon, Jr. SRL

Marimar Benítez, Former Chancellor of Escuela de Artes Plásticas de Puerto Rico

Gladys Vega, Executive Director, Chelsea Collaborative, Chelsea, MA

Kristofer S. Griffith, CIP, Manager, Human Research Regulations, Office of Protocol Research, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Marian Cabanillas, Democratic Party, Houston, TX

Esteban Miranda, Democratic Party, Houston TX

Enrique Vila del Corral, CPA, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Mariame Cofresi-Aviles, M.D., Houston, TX

Pedro Díaz-Marchán, M.D., Democratic Party, Houston, TX

Myrna M. Rivera, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Carlos Fariñas, M.D., Democratic Party, Houston, TX

Tania Carvajal, Puerto Rico

José Itzigsohn, Professor, Department of Sociology, Brown University, Provi- dence, RI

16 1,000 distinguished women from Puerto Rican civil society

Narayan Desai, Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad University, India

Arundhati Roy, Novelist and Activist, India Elementary School Ashis Nandy, Political Psychologist, Social Theorist, Contemporary Cultural Graduation and Political Critic, India circa 1958 Age 15 Ela Gandhi, Granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, and Member of Parliament, South Africa

RELIGIOUS LEADERS

The Most Reverend Desmond M. Tutu, OMSG, DD, FRC, Anglican Arch- bishop Emeritus of Cape Town, South Africa

Mons. Roberto Octavio González Nieves, OFM, Arzobispo Metropolitano de San Juan, Puerto Rico [Archbishop of San Juan]

Luis Cardenal Aponte Martínez, Archbishop Emeritus of San Juan

Mons. Félix Lázaro Martínez, SchP, Bishop of Ponce

Mons. Iñaki Mallona Txertudi, CP, Bishop of Arecibo

Mons. Ulises Casiano Vargas, Bishop of Mayagüez

Mons. Rubén A. González Medina, CMP, Bishop of Caguas

Mons. Héctor Rivera Pérez, Auxiliary Bishop of San Juan

Mons. Hermín Negrón Santana, Auxiliary Bishop of San Juan

Conferencia Episcopal Puertorriqueña [Puerto Rican Conference of Bishops]

Padre Angel Darío Carrero, OFM, Custodio de los Franciscanos del Caribe; President, Conferencia de Religiosos de Puerto Rico

Reverend Heriberto Martínez, Secretary General of the Biblical Society of Puerto Rico

Reverend Eunice Santana, Iglesia de los Discípulos de Cristo, former Presi- dent of the World Council of Churches, Director of the Caribbean Institute of Ecumenical Formation and Action

Reverend Alfonso Román, retired, United Church of Christ

Reverend C. Nozomi Ikuta, Pastor, Denison United Church of Christ, Cleve- land, OH

Interfaith Prisoners of Conscience Project

17 Reverend Dr. Pedro J. Windsor, Lead Pastor, The Neighborhood Chapel (Reformed Evangelical Church), Chicago

Reverend José Rosa, Pastor, First Congregational Church of Chicago

FCI Terre Haute Reverend Walter Coleman, Pastor, Adalberto United Methodist Church, circa 2012 Chicago Age 69 Reverend Emma Lozano, Pastor, Adalberto United Methodist Church, Chicago

Father Luis Barrios, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, New York City

Reverend Roger Zepernick, Christ & St. Ambrose Episcopal Church, Phila- delphia

Father Carlos Santos, Cristo y San Ambrosio Episcopal Church, Philadel- phia, PA

Reverend Wilfredo De Jesús, Senior Pastor, NewLife Covenant Church and Vice President of Social Justice, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, Chicago, IL

Reverend Geoffrey Black, General Minister and President of United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries

Reverend M. Linda Jaramillo, Executive Minister of United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries

Reverend Edith Guffey, Associate General Minister of United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries

Reverend Stephen Sterner, Executive Minister of Local Church Ministries of United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries

Reverend Cally Rogers-Witte, Executive Minister of Wider Church Minis- tries of United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries

Reverend Luis Cortés, Jr., Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia

Dated: January 26, 2014

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