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January 12, 2009<br><br>
To Friends and Supporters of Lori Berenson<br><br>
<br>
END-OF-YEAR MESSAGE FROM LORI <br><br>
Penal de Huacariz<br>
30 November 2008<br><br>
Dear friends, <br><br>
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.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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. <br><br>
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. <br><br>
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.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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).<br><br>
Wishing you all a happy holiday and the best for 2009, for you and our
suffered humanity.<br><br>
In peace,<br><br>
Lori Berenson<br><br>
Note: Lori was transferred to Santa Monica de Chorrillos Prison in
Lima on the night of 8 January 2009.<br>
<br>
LORI IS MOVED BACK TO LIMA FOR MEDICAL CARE<br><br>
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
<a href="http://www.freelori.org/" eudora="autourl">www.freelori.org</a>
website) appeared in English throughout the US and in English and Spanish
around the world. Television coverage
<a href="http://www.elcomercio.com.pe/ediciononline/HTML/2009-01-09/la-terrorista-lori-berenson-arribo-lima-evitar-riesgo-aborto.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.elcomercio.com.pe/ediciononline/HTML/2009-01-09/la-terrorista-lori-berenson-arribo-lima-evitar-riesgo-aborto.html</a>
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.<br><br>
Mark will be visiting Lori next weekend.<br>
<br>
OTHER GOOD NEWS<br><br>
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! <br><br>
<br>
Mark and Rhoda B. <br><br>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br>
English Website:
<a href="http://www.freelori.org/" eudora="autourl">www.freelori.org<br>
</a>Spanish Website:
<a href="http://www.lorilibre.org/" eudora="autourl">www.lorilibre.org</a>
<br><br>
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