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<font size=3><b>National Lawyers Guild International Committee <br>
Presentation to the United Nations Decolonization Committee<br>
Hearings on Puerto Rico<br>
June 21, 2010<br>
</b> <br>
The National Lawyers Guild was founded in 1937 as an alternative to the
American Bar Association, which did not admit people of color. The
National Lawyers Guild is the oldest and largest public interest/human
rights bar organization in the United States. With headquarters in New
York, it has chapters in every state. From its founding, the National
Lawyers Guild has maintained an internationalist perspective, and
international work has been a critical focus for the Guild. Its
International Committee has organized delegations to many countries
throughout the world, and Guild members are involved in international
organizations, such as the International Association for Democratic
Lawyers and the American Association of Jurists. Presently, active
subcommittees exist for Cuba, the Middle East, Korea, and the United
Nations. Guild members, including myself, have a long history of
defending activists in the Puerto Rican independence movement.<br><br>
<b>I. Status<br>
</b> <br>
A.
U.S. Congress<br>
Both
houses of the United States Ccongress recently considered legislation
proposed by Puerto Rico’s non-voting resident commissioner, allegedly
addressing the colonial status of Puerto Rico. While its proponent
publicly asserted that the bill was not an invitation to Puerto Rico to
become the 51st state of the union, the bill was widely seen as one
promoting that very result. 1 The bill, which earned lobbyists millions
of dollars, 2 called for allowing plebiscites in Puerto Rico, the results
of which would not be binding on U.S. Congress. 3 The island’s main daily
newspaper known for its conservative position on the status question in
an editorial denounced the “arrogant” behavior of the members of the
House and Senate, and called the process “an insensitive charade,” and
“another exercise in futility that continues to lacerate the self-esteem
and collective spirit of the Puerto Rican people as a result of its
political controversy.” 4 <br>
The
congressional process does not begin to approach compliance with the
resolutions of this august Committee, which call upon the government of
the U.S. to assume its responsibility to expedite a process that will
allow the Puerto Rican people fully to exercise their inalienable right
to self-determination and independence, in accordance with General
Assembly resolution 1514 (XV).<br><br>
B.
White House<br>
There
is no ministry or any formal office of the U.S. government charged with
responsibility for administering the colony. However, in 2000, a
President’s Task Force on Puerto Rico was created, 5 which this year held
two poorly attended sessions to listen to testimony from witnesses
recommended by the electoral parties. 6 Task Force representatives, who
asserted their report would be “neutral” on the status question, 7 were
perceived as either lacking interest or ignorant, even by prominent
supporters of statehood. 8 A report is due in October, though
expectations are <br>
<sup>generally low. 9<br>
</sup> <br>
<b>II. Colonial administration continues to threaten the future of the
nation<br><br>
</b>
Many of the specters of disaster augured in our last report to this
Committee have unfortunately come to pass evidence that the continuing
colonial relationship is in dire need of a just solution. The
pro-statehood administration on the island has laid off some 20,000
government employees, applying "Law No. 7," which gave them
emergency powers to effect fiscal measures; 10 packed the Puerto Rico
Supreme Court with loyal pro-statehood party members; 11 attempted to do
away with the Puerto Rico Bar Association, the oldest professional
organization in Puerto Rico; 12 threatened to privatize the government
assets that remain in the public domain, including the vast system of
higher education; 13 slashed the budget of every cultural institution
which preserves and promulgates the dynamic culture of the Puerto Rican
people; 14 moved against a squatter community of Dominican immigrants 15
and against a longstanding, well-organized community of descendants of
displaced workers, 16 all the while squandering exorbitant amounts of
public money lobbying U.S. Congress in efforts to influence annexationist
legislation. 17 All this in the context of collapsing banks and the
highest unemployment rate in years. 18<br>
In
response to these crises, a delegation of our International Committee
went to Puerto Rico to conduct an onsite investigation of the Puerto
Rican government's policies aimed at individuals who promote and defend
fundamental human rights, 19 and emerged with a plan to coordinate with
the International Association of Democratic Lawyers and the American
Association of Jurists to denounce the retrograde laws, support the
Puerto Rico Bar Association, and, <i>inter alia</i> file amicus briefs in
the cases involving Vieques and the CaZo Martín PeZa squatter community.
20<br>
Resistance to these violations of human rights has continued to grow on
the island, with work and student stoppages and day-long general strikes
which enjoyed wide participation by labor and every sector of society. 21
Recently, university students are leading the fore, in a two month long
non-confrontational strike, supported by parents, professors, university
workers, unions, religious organizations, indeed by the whole of civil
society. 22 There was widespread concern for the safety and well-being of
the student leaders, both during the strike and once the strike comes to
an end, 23 as riot police have not only assaulted the students, their
parents, legal observers 24 and journalists; 25
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/ungraveerrordecalculodelaadministracion-705435.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.elnuevodia.com/ungraveerrordecalculodelaadministracion-705435.html</a>
. but police have publicly stated their desire to commit violence, 26 and
their police chief, a former FBI agent, has expressed his unwavering
support for his troops. 27 Hopefully, the recent court-ordered negotiated
settlement, in which the students emerged victorious, 28 will avert the
anticipated police violence.<br><br>
<b>III. Political prisoners<br><br>
</b>
This year has been historically significant for Puerto Rico’s political
prisoners held in United States prisons. Carlos Alberto Torres marked 30
years of prison, for his struggle for the independence of Puerto Rico,
becoming the longest held political prisoner in the history of that
nation. After a campaign including over 10,000 letters of support to the
U.S. Parole Commission, he will be released on parole next month, in
spite of persistent efforts by the Bureau of Prisons to sabotage his
parole. 29<br>
Oscar
López Rivera this year marked 29 years in prison. López, 67 years old,
and serving a sentence of 70 years, has a release date of 2023. 30
Avelino González Claudio, also 67 years old, was just sentenced to a
prison term of seven years, in spite of his advanced Parkinson’s Disease.
31<br>
The
harshness of the conditions under which they are held may be exemplified
by Mr. López’ recent experience, when his older sister suffered a series
of heart attacks and was near death in intensive care. Even though the
family offered to pay for his travel as well as the expenses for staff
who would accompany him, prison officials rejected out of hand the
request that he be permitted to visit her bedside, focusing on the
extraordinary length of his sentence, the years remaining to be served,
and the political nature of the charges. The denial was dated one week
before the 29th anniversary of his arrest. Not only did the warden deny
the furlough request, but he even refused to allow López to purchase
telephone minutes in addition to the allotted 300 minutes per month, so
that he could at least stay in touch with the family. <br>
Coincidentally, these denials came at precisely the same time that the
Cuban government reviled by the United States for allegedly violating
the human rights of those in its custody followed up on its promise to
move Cuban dissidents closer to their families, 32 though their sentences
are only a fraction of those being served by Oscar and his compatriot
Carlos Alberto Torres in U.S. prisons. 33 Not surprisingly, the move did
not satisfy the U.S. government, whose State Department spokesperson
said, “We hope that the prisoners of conscience will be unconditionally
set free and in the very near future.” 34 It seems that the U.S. is too
busy meddling in the internal affairs of other sovereign nations, and
insisting on the release of “prisoners of conscience,” to tend to the
human rights of its own political prisoners and comply with the
international law and this Committee’s resolutions applying it. <br>
The
political prisoners remain strong in spirit, their commitment to the
independence of their nation undaunted, in spite of adversity.<br><br>
<b>IV. Vieques<br><br>
</b>Puerto Rican scientists successfully unmasked the junk science relied
upon by U.S. government agencies which falsely put forth that the people
of Vieques suffered no adverse consequences from the dangerous toxic
aftermath of decades of occupation by the U.S. Navy. 35 However, the U.S.
has still not taken responsibility for the clean-up, and Vieques remains
on the Super Fund list. 36
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/voces/689639/"><sup>
http://www.elnuevodia.com/voces/689639/</a></sup>Abbie Boudreau and Scott
Bronstein, CNN Special Investigations Unit, “Island residents sue U.S.,
saying military made them sick,” <i>CNN</i>, February 1, 2010,
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/02/01/vieques.illness/index.html;">
<sup>http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/02/01/vieques.illness/index.html</a>
</sup>Tim Padgett, “Toxic Chemicals at Vieques: Is U.S. <br>
Accountable?” <i>Time</i>, September 16, 2009,
<a href="http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1924101,00.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1924101,00.html</a>.<br>
Recently, the U.S. court in Puerto Rico dismissed the class action
lawsuit filed on behalf of the people of Vieques, finding that the U.S.
government was immune from suit. 37 An appeal is pending.<br><br>
<b>VII. Conclusion<br><br>
</b>
The National Lawyers Guild International Committee, incorporating the
requests sought by other presenters before this Honorable Committee,
urges the adoption of a resolution calling for the General Assembly to
consider the case of Puerto Rico; and calling on the government of the
United States to:<br><br>
*
immediately cease the criminalization and harassment of, and attacks on,
the Puerto Rican Independence Movement;<br>
*
immediately release Puerto Rican political prisoners: Carlos Alberto
Torres, who has served more than 30 years in U.S. custody; Oscar López
Rivera, who has served more than 29 years in U.S. custody, and Avelino
González Claudio;<br>
*
identify and hold criminally liable all those responsible for the
assassination of Filiberto Ojeda Ríos (2005), Santiago Mari Pesquera
(1976), Carlos MuZiz Varela (1979), and other militants of the Puerto
Rican independence movement;<br>
*
withdraw the FBI, the U.S. court, and all other U.S. police, repressive
and military forces from Puerto Rico;<br>
*
withdraw from Vieques, formally return legal property of the land to the
people of Vieques, cease detonating unexploded ordnance, completely clean
up the pollution left by the U.S. Navy’s 60 year occupation through the
use of proven, environmentally friendly clean-up methods, and compensate
the people of Vieques for the damage to their health done to them by the
same;<br>
*
cease and desist from the application of the death penalty in Puerto
Rico;<br>
*
ensure that striking students are not harmed or penalized for their
courageous struggle to maintain the right to quality public higher
education;<br>
*
formally commit to negotiate in good faith with the people of Puerto Rico
a solution to the colonial condition; and recognize the proposals that
emanate from a Constitutional Assembly, initiated by the people of Puerto
Rico, such as that called for by the Puerto Rico Bar Association, as the
true expression of the aspirations of the people of Puerto Rico, and
respond to them accordingly.<br>
<br>
Dated: June 21,
2010
Respectfully submitted,<br>
<br>
Jan Susler<br>
People’s Law Office<br>
1180 N. Milwaukee<br>
Chicago, IL 60622<br>
773/235-0070<br>
<div align="center">
<a href="mailto:jsusler@aol.com">jsusler@aol.com</a>
<br>
</div>
<br>
On behalf of the National Lawyers Guild<br>
International Committee<br>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.nlginternational.org/">
http://www.nlginternational.org/</a>
<br><br>
<br>
</div>
<sup>
1</sup>Letter to the editor, “D.C. and Puerto Rico have more in common
than not,” <i>Washington Post</i>, May 24,
2010,<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/23/AR2010052303778.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/23/AR2010052303778.html</a>
; José A. Delgado, “El 2499 no es una invitación a la estadidad: En una
carta en The Washington Post, Pierluisi reafirma que las consultas no
vinculan al Congreso con sus resultados,” <i>El Nuevo Día</i>, May 24,
2010,<br>
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/el2499noesunainvitacionalaestadidad-710247.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.elnuevodia.com/el2499noesunainvitacionalaestadidad-710247.html</a>
; “Intenso cabildeo mediático en EU a favor y en contra del proyecto de
status: La campaZa mediática sobre la aprobación del proyecto H.R. 2499
mantiene una agresiva presencia en los medios estadounidenses,” CyberNews
Puerto Rico, April 28, 2010, <br>
<a href="http://www.telemundopr.com/intensocabildeomediaticoeneuafavoryencontradelproyectodestatus-43379.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.telemundopr.com/intensocabildeomediaticoeneuafavoryencontradelproyectodestatus-43379.html</a>
.<br>
<sup>
2</sup>See, e.g., Inter News Service, “PRFAA ha gastado $2.8 millones en
cabilderos, denuncia Vega Ramos,” <i>Primera Hora</i>, May 23,
2010, <br>
<a href="http://www.primerahora.com/prfaahagastado$2.8millonesencabilderosdenunciavegaramos-389089.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.primerahora.com/prfaahagastado$2.8millonesencabilderosdenunciavegaramos-389089.html</a>
.<br>
<a name="_ftn3"></a>
<sup>3</sup>H.R. 2499,
<a href="http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h2499eh.txt.pdf" eudora="autourl">
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h2499eh.txt.pdf</a>
.<br>
<a name="_ftn4"></a>
<sup>4</sup>Editorial, “Otra charada congresional,” <i>El Nuevo Día</i>,
May 24, 2010,
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/columna-otracharadacongresional-709984.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.elnuevodia.com/columna-otracharadacongresional-709984.html</a>
. <br>
<a name="_ftn5"></a>
<sup>5</sup>As we have pointed out in previous presentations to this
Committee, the Bush administration, in its reports from the U.S.
President’s Task Force on Puerto Rico’s Status, virtually acknowledges
that Puerto Rico remains a juridical colony, and is evidence of the need
for the General Assembly to consider the case of Puerto Rico. The reports
reveal that, regardless of what the U.S. said in its 1953 report to the
United Nations in order to remove Puerto Rico from the list of
non-self-governing territories, Puerto Rico remains a non-self-governing
territory, subject to U.S. Congress’ plenary authority under the
Territory Clause. [Report by the President's Task Force on Puerto Rico's
Status, December 2007, at pp. 5-6,
http://www.justice.gov/opa/documents/2007-report-by-the-president-task-force-on-puerto-rico-status.pdf;
Report by the President's Task Force on Puerto Rico's Status, December
2005, at pp. 5-6.] Under this power, the report says, Congress could even
cede Puerto Rico to another nation.[Report by the President's Task Force
on Puerto Rico's Status, December 2005, at p. 6,
<a href="http://charma.uprm.edu/~angel/Puerto_Rico/reporte_status.pdf" eudora="autourl">
http://charma.uprm.edu/~angel/Puerto_Rico/reporte_status.pdf</a>].<br>
<sup>
6</sup>José A. Delgado, “Relegados los políticos: El comité interagencial
de la Casa Blanca dará prioridad a la economía y a escuchar las voces del
pueblo,” <i>El Nuevo Día</i>, March 2, 2010,<br>
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/relegadoslospoliticos-679614.html;">
http://www.elnuevodia.com/relegadoslospoliticos-679614.html;</a> José A.
Delgado, “Borrón y cuenta nueva: Casa Blanca reexaminará todo lo
relacionado con el status,” <i>El Nuevo Día</i>, March 4, 2010,
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/borronycuentanueva-680462.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.elnuevodia.com/borronycuentanueva-680462.html</a>.<br>
<sup>
7</sup>Ponencia del secretario de Justicia Tom Perrelli, copresidente del
grupo de trabajo del presidente sobre el estatus de Puerto Rico,
<i>Primera Hora</i>, March 3, 2010, <br>
<a href="http://www.primerahora.com/diario/noticia/politica/noticias/ponencia_del_secretario_de_justicia_tom_perrelli,_copresidente_del_grupo_de_trabajo_del_presidente_sobre_el_estatus_de_puerto_rico/371354" eudora="autourl">
http://www.primerahora.com/diario/noticia/politica/noticias/ponencia_del_secretario_de_justicia_tom_perrelli,_copresidente_del_grupo_de_trabajo_del_presidente_sobre_el_estatus_de_puerto_rico/371354</a>
; Yennifer Álvarez Jaimes, “‘Task Force’ de Casa Blanca asegura informe
‘neutral’,” <i>Vocero</i>, March 3, 2010, <br>
<a href="http://www.vocero.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1115:task-force-de-casa-blanca-asegura-informe-neutral&catid=50:news" eudora="autourl">
http://www.vocero.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1115:task-force-de-casa-blanca-asegura-informe-neutral&catid=50:news</a>
; Associate Attorney General Remarks On Puerto Rico Task Force, PR
Newswire, May 25, 2010,<br>
<a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/remarks-as-prepared-for-delivery-by-associate-attorney-general-tom-perrelli-at-the-puerto-rico-task-force-public-hearing-94844924.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/remarks-as-prepared-for-delivery-by-associate-attorney-general-tom-perrelli-at-the-puerto-rico-task-force-public-hearing-94844924.html</a>
. <br>
<a name="_ftn8"></a>
<sup>8</sup>Frances Rosario, “‘Viven en los cuernos de Valencia’: Gran
malestar de políticos,”<i> El Nuevo Día</i>, March 4, 2010,
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/vivenenloscuernosdevalencia-680622.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.elnuevodia.com/vivenenloscuernosdevalencia-680622.html</a>.
<br>
<sup>
9</sup>José A. Delgado, “Pierluisi no espera grandes cosas de la Casa
Blanca: Piensa que seguirán la política de “neutralidad” en el tema del
status,” <i>El Nuevo Día</i>, May 26, 2010<br>
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/pierluisinoesperagrandescosasdelacasablanca-711843.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.elnuevodia.com/pierluisinoesperagrandescosasdelacasablanca-711843.html</a>
.<br>
<a name="_ftn10"></a>
<sup>10</sup>Juan A. Ocasio Rivera, “Explosions of Unrest Mark Puerto
Rico's Economic Crisis,” <i>NACLA</i>, November 18, 2009,
<a href="https://nacla.org/node/6254" eudora="autourl">
https://nacla.org/node/6254</a>.<br>
<a name="_ftn11"></a>
<sup>11</sup>Editorial, “Dardos marcados al Tribunal Supremo,” <i>El
Nuevo Día</i>, March 14, 2010, <br>
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/columna/685444/;">
http://www.elnuevodia.com/columna/685444/;</a> Efrén Rivera Ramos, “La
UPR y el Tribunal Supremo, <i>El Nuevo Día</i>, March 17, 2010,
reproduced at<br>
<a href="http://poderyambiente.blogspot.com/2010/03/columna-la-upr-y-el-tribunal-supremo.html" eudora="autourl">
http://poderyambiente.blogspot.com/2010/03/columna-la-upr-y-el-tribunal-supremo.html</a>
.<br>
<a name="_ftn12"></a>
<sup>12</sup>Editorial, “El Colegio debe ser preservado,” <i>El Nuevo
Día</i>, March 2, 2009,
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/columna/539625/">
http://www.elnuevodia.com/columna/539625/.</a> Addressing
legislation which would gut the Bar Association by converting it from a
mandatory organization to a voluntary organization, in great part in
order to wrest control from independentista leadership, the editorial
begins: “The legislative majority’s assault on an institution whose voice
and action have been clearly and potently raised for the past 169 years
in defense of the voiceless, is suffering a dangerous precedent that
warrants the Country’s deepest rejection.” (translated from the original
Spanish).<br>
<a name="_ftn13"></a>
<sup>13</sup>Manuel de J. González, “Una ley para privatizarlo todo,”
<i>Claridad</i>, May 21-27, 2009,
<a href="http://claridadpuertorico.com/content/view/403615/32/">
http://claridadpuertorico.com/content/view/403615/32/</a>.<br>
<a name="_ftn14"></a>
<sup>14</sup>Cynthia López Cabán, “Están estrangulando al ICP”: Junta de
Directores se reúne hoy para evaluar candidatos,” <i>El Nuevo Día</i>,
February 26, 2010,
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/estanestrangulandoalicp-677842.html;">
http://www.elnuevodia.com/estanestrangulandoalicp-677842.html;</a>
“Escuela de Artes Plásticas decreta paro de 24 horas,” <i>Diálogo
Digital</i>, September 29, 2009, <br>
<a href="http://dialogodigital.com/es/entre-estudiantes/2009/09/escuela-artes-plasticas-decreta-paro-24-horas" eudora="autourl">
http://dialogodigital.com/es/entre-estudiantes/2009/09/escuela-artes-plasticas-decreta-paro-24-horas</a>
. <br>
<a name="_ftn15"></a>
<sup>15</sup>Mike Melia, AP, “Puerto Rico accused of violating squatters'
rights,” <i>Washington Post</i>, <br>
April 28, 2010,
<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/28/AR2010042804648.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/28/AR2010042804648.html</a>
.<br>
<a name="_ftn16"></a>
<sup>16</sup> Limarys Suárez Torres, “Circuito de Apelaciones falla
contra el Fideicomiso del CaZo Martín PeZa: Avaló la incautación de
terrenos por parte del Gobierno,” <i>El Nuevo Día</i>, April 29, 2010,
<br>
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/bostonfallacontraelfideicomisodelcano-695009.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.elnuevodia.com/bostonfallacontraelfideicomisodelcano-695009.html</a>
.<br>
<a name="_ftn17"></a>
<sup>17</sup>José A. Delgado, “Detrás del dólar boricua: El gobierno
boricua es el rey del cabildeo en Washington D.C.,” <i>El Nuevo Día</i>,
September 18, 2009,
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/detrasdeldolarboricua-616568.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.elnuevodia.com/detrasdeldolarboricua-616568.html</a>.<br>
<a name="_ftn18"></a>
<sup>18</sup>Eric Dash, “F.D.I.C. Brokers the Sale of 3 Banks,” <i>New
York Times</i>, April 30, 2010,<br>
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/business/01bank.html?scp=5&sq=puerto%20rico&st=cse" eudora="autourl">
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/business/01bank.html?scp=5&sq=puerto%20rico&st=cse</a>
;<br>
Marian Díaz, “Vuelve a dispararse la tasa de desempleo: Subió a 16.2%, la
más alta en 17 aZos para el mes de marzo, <i>El Nuevo Día</i>, April 20,
2010,<br>
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/vuelveadispararselatasadedesempleo-688716.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.elnuevodia.com/vuelveadispararselatasadedesempleo-688716.html</a>
.<br>
<a name="_ftn19"></a>
<sup>19</sup>“National Lawyers Guild initiates campaign to raise
awareness of the attack on the Puerto Rican Bar Association,” April 6,
2010,
<a href="http://www.nlginternational.org/news/article.php?nid=296" eudora="autourl">
http://www.nlginternational.org/news/article.php?nid=296</a> .<br>
<a name="_ftn20"></a>
<sup>20</sup>Inter News Service, “Abogados de EE.UU. consideran acto de
“represalia” eliminación de colegiación en la Isla,” <i>Primera Hora</i>,
March 29, 2010, <br>
<a href="http://www.primerahora.com/abogados_de_ee.uu._consideran_acto_de_represalia_eliminacion_de_colegiacion_en_la_isla-377542.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.primerahora.com/abogados_de_ee.uu._consideran_acto_de_represalia_eliminacion_de_colegiacion_en_la_isla-377542.html</a>
. (“‘The attack on the Bar Association is unprecedented. In the United
States, 36 states have compulsory membership and there has never been an
attempt to dismantle a single one,’ said Dr. Jeanne Mirer, chair of the
International Committee of the NLG and president of the International
Association of Democratic Lawyers. ‘I can’t imagine this happening in the
states... if there was ever an attempt to eliminate a bar association for
having taken political positions, it would result in total indignation by
even the most right wing members of the association,’ commented Susan
Scott, co-chair of the International Committee of the NLG.”).<br>
<sup>
21</sup>Damien Cave, “Puerto Rico Unions Protest Job Cuts,” <i>New York
Times</i>, <br>
October 16, 2009,
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/16/us/16puerto.html?_r=1&emc=eta1&pagewanted=print" eudora="autourl">
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/16/us/16puerto.html?_r=1&emc=eta1&pagewanted=print</a>
; Firuzeh Shokooh Valle, “Puerto Rico: Reflections on the National
Strike,” October 16, 2009, <br>
<a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/10/16/puerto-rico-reflections-on-the-national-strike/print/" eudora="autourl">
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/10/16/puerto-rico-reflections-on-the-national-strike/print/</a>
; Yarimar Bonilla and Rafael A. Boglio Martínez, “Puerto Rico in Crisis:
Government Workers Battle Neoliberal Reform,” <i>NACLA</i> - North
American Congress on Latin America,<br>
January 2010,
<a href="https://nacla.org/node/6341" eudora="autourl">
https://nacla.org/node/6341</a>,
<a href="https://nacla.org/files/A04301008_1.pdf" eudora="autourl">
https://nacla.org/files/A04301008_1.pdf</a> (full article); Néstor Rosa-
Marbrell, “Sindicalistas boricuas proclaman éxito de paro nacional,”
<i>Prensa Latina</i>, May 18, 2010, <br>
<a href="http://www.prensa-latina.cu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=189380&Itemid=1" eudora="autourl">
http://www.prensa-latina.cu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=189380&Itemid=1</a>
; Vanesa Baerga, “Estudiantes de Artes Plásticas acampan indefinidamente
hasta lograr acuerdos justos,” <i>Claridad</i>, June 3, 2010, <br>
<a href="http://claridadpuertorico.com/content.html?news=FA435D8C304856266F8B5C13D6D95ACE" eudora="autourl">
http://claridadpuertorico.com/content.html?news=FA435D8C304856266F8B5C13D6D95ACE</a>
.<br>
<a name="_ftn22"></a>
<sup>22</sup>Omaya Sosa-Pascual and Emma Graves Fitzsimmons, “Student
Protests Tie Up Campuses in Puerto Rico,” <i>New York Times</i>, May 20,
2010,
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/us/21students.html?scp=2&sq=puerto%20rico&st=cse" eudora="autourl">
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/us/21students.html?scp=2&sq=puerto%20rico&st=cse</a>
; Amy Goodman, “Student Strike at University of Puerto Rico Enters 28th
Day,” <i>Democracy Now</i>,<br>
May 17, 2010,
<a href="http://www.democracynow.org/2010/5/17/student_strike_at_university_of_puerto" eudora="autourl">
http://www.democracynow.org/2010/5/17/student_strike_at_university_of_puerto</a>
.<br>
<a name="_ftn23"></a>
<sup>23</sup>Inter News Service, “Cátedra UNESCO pide estar alerta ante
posible regreso de "época de escarmientos" por huelga
estudiantil,” <i>Primera Hora</i>, June 4, 2010,
<a href="http://www.primerahora.com/catedraunescopideestaralertaanteposibleregresodeepocadeescarmientosporhuelgaestudiantil-391642.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.primerahora.com/catedraunescopideestaralertaanteposibleregresodeepocadeescarmientosporhuelgaestudiantil-391642.html</a>
; Amnesty International Public Statement, “Puerto Rico: Amnesty
International calls for police restraint as student strike continues,”
June 2, 2010 AI Index: AMR 47/001/2010. <br>
<a name="_ftn24"></a>
<sup>24</sup>Mady Pacheco, “Moretones, mentiras y esteroides,” <i>El
Nuevo Día</i>, June 15, 2010,<br>
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/columna-moretonesmentirasyesteroides-723611.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.elnuevodia.com/columna-moretonesmentirasyesteroides-723611.html</a>
.<br>
<a name="_ftn25"></a>
<sup>25</sup>Ricardo Cortés Chico, “Pateada a estudiante por un oficial
de alto rango: Oficial niega el incidente, pero luego lo admite,” <i>El
Nuevo Día</i>, May 22, 2010,<br>
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/patadaparaponerelorden-709464.html;">
http://www.elnuevodia.com/patadaparaponerelorden-709464.html;</a>
Benjamín Torres Gotay, “Un grave error de cálculo de la administración:
El Gobierno subestimó de mala manera la capacidad de los estudiantes,
<i>El Nuevo Día</i>, May 16, 2010,<br>
<br>
<a name="_ftn26"></a>
<sup>26</sup>Officers’ revelations on Facebook, including comments such
as, “I finally clubbed somebody today, I hope things get crazy so I can
empty out my rifle," quickly became unavailable on Facebook, once
the public got wind of them. Bloggers downloads rescued them for
posterity. See, e.g.,
<a href="http://postpomonuyorican.blogspot.com/" eudora="autourl">
http://postpomonuyorican.blogspot.com/</a>.<br>
<a name="_ftn27"></a>
<sup>27</sup>“Figueroa Sancha defends police actions in hotel clash,”
<i>Puerto Rico Daily Sun</i>, May 22, 2010,
<a href="http://www.prdailysun.com/news/Figueroa-Sancha-defends-police-actions-in-hotel-clash" eudora="autourl">
http://www.prdailysun.com/news/Figueroa-Sancha-defends-police-actions-in-hotel-clash</a>
(expressing doubts about the authenticity of the Facebook comments and
stating, “You always misinterpret. Policemen avoided further violence.
That is why I call them heroes.”); Ricardo Cortés Chico, “Respaldo a su
mano derecha: Figueroa Sancha asegura que van a investigar,” <i>El Nuevo
Día</i>, May 25, 2010,
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/respaldoasumanoderecha-710735.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.elnuevodia.com/respaldoasumanoderecha-710735.html</a>.<br>
<a name="_ftn28"></a>
<sup>28</sup>Jesús Dávila, “Puerto Rico: Victoria estudiantil afecta
credibilidad del gobierno,” <i>NCM</i>, June 17, 2010,
<a href="http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2010/06/17/puerto-rico-victoria-estudiantil-afecta-credibilidad-del-gobierno/" eudora="autourl">
http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2010/06/17/puerto-rico-victoria-estudiantil-afecta-credibilidad-del-gobierno/</a>
; Damien Cave, “Students Gain After Strike in Puerto Rico,”<i> New York
Times</i>, June 17, 2010,
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/18/us/18students.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/18/us/18students.html</a>.<br>
<a name="_ftn29"></a>
<sup>29</sup>José A. Delgado, “Liberaran a preso político boricua: Carlos
Alberto Torres saldrá en julio tras 30 aZos en prisión,” <i>El Nuevo
Día</i>, May 21, 2010,
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/liberaranapresopoliticoboricua-709390.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.elnuevodia.com/liberaranapresopoliticoboricua-709390.html</a>;
Cándida Cotto, “Sigue hostigamiento contra Carlos Alberto y Avelino,”
<i>Claridad</i>, January 13,
2010,<a href="http://claridadpuertorico.com/content.html?news=28FC2CD9304856266F4103385A5DD5CA" eudora="autourl">
http://claridadpuertorico.com/content.html?news=28FC2CD9304856266F4103385A5DD5CA</a>
; José A. Delgado, “Momento crucial para preso político boricua: Junta
federal decidirá el caso de Carlos A. Torres,” <i>El Nuevo Día</i>,
February 17, 2010, <br>
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/momentocrucialparapresopoliticoboricua-673046.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.elnuevodia.com/momentocrucialparapresopoliticoboricua-673046.html</a>
.<br>
<a name="_ftn30"></a>
<sup>30</sup>Federal Bureau of Prisons, Inmate Locator,
<a href="http://www.bop.gov/iloc2/InmateFinderServlet?Transaction=IDSearch&needingMoreList=false&IDType=IRN&IDNumber=87651-024" eudora="autourl">
http://www.bop.gov/iloc2/InmateFinderServlet?Transaction=IDSearch&needingMoreList=false&IDType=IRN&IDNumber=87651-024</a>
.<br>
<a name="_ftn31"></a>
<sup>31</sup>Alaine Griffin, “Machetero Gets 7 Years For 1983 Wells Fargo
Robbery,”<i> Hartford Courant</i>, May 26, 2010,
<a href="mailto:agriffin@courant.comhttp:%2F%2Farticles.courant.com%2F2010-05-26%2Fnews%2Fhc-wells-fargo-heist-0527-20100526_1_support-leftist-insurgencies-los-macheteros-wells-fargo-robbery" eudora="autourl">
mailto:agriffin@courant.comhttp://articles.courant.com/2010-05-26/news/hc-wells-fargo-heist-0527-20100526_1_support-leftist-insurgencies-los-macheteros-wells-fargo-robbery</a>
.<br>
<a name="_ftn32"></a>
<sup>32</sup>Jeff Franks and Rosa Tania Valdes, “Cuban political
prisoners moved closer to home,” <i>Reuters</i>, June 1 2010,
<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6506RB20100602" eudora="autourl">
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6506RB20100602</a>.<br>
<a name="_ftn33"></a>
<sup>33</sup>Associated Press, “Inicia reubicación de reos políticos
cubanos: La gestión de la Iglesia Católica con Raúl Castro comienza a
rendir frutos,” <i>El Nuevo Día</i>, June 2, 2010,<br>
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/iniciareubicaciondereospoliticoscubanos-715024.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.elnuevodia.com/iniciareubicaciondereospoliticoscubanos-715024.html</a>
.<br>
<a name="_ftn34"></a>
<sup>34</sup>EFE. “U.S. Demands Cuba Release Political Prisoners,”
<i>Latin American Herald Tribune</i>, June 4, 2010,<br>
<a href="http://laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=358015&CategoryId=14510;">
http://laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=358015&CategoryId=14510;</a>
Associated Press, “US, human rights leader call for freedom for Cuban
political prisoners,” <i>Fox News</i>, June 02, 2010,<br>
<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/06/02/human-rights-leader-freedom-cuban-political-prisoners/" eudora="autourl">
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/06/02/human-rights-leader-freedom-cuban-political-prisoners/</a>
. <br>
<a name="_ftn35"></a>
<sup>35</sup>“Federal Agency to Change its Early Conclusions on
Environmental Assessment in Vieques: Geographic Location: --Vieques,
Puerto Rico,” November 13, 2009,<br>
<a href="http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/news/displaynews.asp?PRid=2455;">
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/news/displaynews.asp?PRid=2455;</a> Mireya
Navarro, “Navy’s Vieques Training May Be Tied to Health Risks,” <i>New
York Times</i>, November 14, 2009,<br>
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/14/science/earth/14vieques.html?_r=1&sq=vieques&st=cse&scp=1&pagewanted=print" eudora="autourl">
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/14/science/earth/14vieques.html?_r=1&sq=vieques&st=cse&scp=1&pagewanted=print</a>
; José A. Delgado, “Vieques, en la botica de salud,” <i>El Nuevo Día</i>,
November 12, 2009,
<a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/blog/637347/">
http://www.elnuevodia.com/blog/637347/.</a> <br>
<a name="_ftn36"></a>
<sup>36</sup>U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2 Superfund,
Vieques Island/Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training Area,
<a href="http://www.epa.gov/region2/vieques/index.html;">
http://www.epa.gov/region2/vieques/index.html;</a> Arturo Massol Deyá,
“La tragicolonia de Vieques,” <i>El Nuevo Día</i>, March 23, 2010,<br>
<sup>37</sup>José A. Delgado, "’No’ a los viequenses,” <i>El Nuevo
Día</i>, April 13, 2010,
http://www.elnuevodia.com/bloguero-jose_a._delgado-4189.html.<br><br>
<br><br>
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