[Ppnews] Lori Berenson Update Jan 12, 2009

[Political Prisoner News]

January 12, 2009

To Friends and Supporters of Lori Berenson


                       END-OF-YEAR MESSAGE FROM LORI

Penal de Huacariz
30 November 2008

Dear friends,

As 2008 and my 13th year in prison come to a close, here I am 
awaiting my transfer to the maximum security women's jail in Chorrillos, Lima.

It is indeed sad for me to be leaving Cajamarca after 7 years of 
beautiful scenery, fresh air and a hospitable community attitude that 
still prevails to some extent, in spite of the damage done to the 
"atmosphere" of increased wealth, unaccompanied by local development, 
due to the presence of giant mining companies.

Although the great mineral wealth is taken out of Cajamarca's hills, 
only a small fraction of it trickles down to benefit the area, 
through the stipulated percentage returned to the local government, 
additionally to certain jobs temporarily created in the service sector.

The environment met smog, and the water met with many years of 
contamination with minerals and chemicals.  One wonders how bad the 
contamination of values and of community pride has been.

Worse is to think what will happen once the mineral extraction leaves 
the hills barren, the water sources contaminated, highways destroyed 
by the excessively increased transit, when there were and are ways to 
prevent it.

But, sadly, I will soon leave Cajamarca, due to the need for 
specialized medical care that I'll have done once I give birth.  My 
pregnancy is a blessing for me, and motive for much happiness to me 
and my family.

Although I don't see the political crisis getting better here, 
there's a saying that says "no hay mal que para bien no venga" (there 
isn't an evil/bad thing that doesn't happen for a good reason).

Wishing you all a happy holiday and the best for 2009, for you and 
our suffered humanity.

In peace,

Lori Berenson

Note:  Lori was transferred to Santa Monica de Chorrillos Prison in 
Lima on the night of 8 January 2009.

LORI IS MOVED BACK TO LIMA FOR MEDICAL CARE

After a 15-hour trip on a public bus, Lori arrived in Lima Friday 
morning January 9th. She is now in the women's prison in the Lima 
suburb of Chorrillos where she had been incarcerated during her 
civilian trial in 2000 and 2001.  Articles on her transfer by AP and 
Reuters (see www.freelori.org website) appeared in English throughout 
the US and in English and Spanish around the world. Television 
coverage 
http://www.elcomercio.com.pe/ediciononline/HTML/2009-01-09/la-terrorista-lori-berenson-arribo-lima-evitar-riesgo-aborto.html 
shows the bus arriving in Lima and Lori transported to headquarters 
for processing.  The transfer process went smoothly owing to help 
from the US Embassy officials in Lima.   Now that she is in Lima, 
Lori will be able to coordinate her prenatal care with orthopedic and 
pre-surgical care for her back.

Mark will be visiting Lori next weekend.

                               OTHER GOOD NEWS

We are relieved to learn and thrilled to report that long-time 
activist Bob Carpenter is alive and well and continues to champion 
causes of social justice.  In our previous Lori Update on December 31 
we had reported otherwise.  We are grateful that Bob has a good sense 
of humor!


Mark and Rhoda B.

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English Website:  www.freelori.org
Spanish Website:  www.lorilibre.org



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