Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico was invaded by the US in 1898 after winning
independence from Spain. An independence movement has thrived ever since
that has reasserted a right to self-determination and an end to US
colonialism. Includes extensive material on Puerto Rican
Independentistas, political prisoners, prisoners of war* and land rights as well as
struggles in the diaspora.
This collection contains sub-collections focused on political parties and organizations committed to the struggle for Puerto Rican independence, groups and organizations founded to support political prisoners and prisoners of war and general information.
*Prisoners of War:
On October 12, 1970, UN resolution 2621 approved by the General Assembly, declared colonialism an international crime. Said resolution reaffirmed the right of any intervened, colonized nation to utilize whatever form of struggle is necessary to obtain its independence. Armed struggle, military resistance and whatever form of struggle that leads to the independence of nations that are colonized, invaded and occupied by foreign military troops, is recognized as a right by the UN. Puerto Rico, by virtue of being a colonial state is supported by International Law.
International Law is also very specific in reference to prisoners of war. According to the Geneva Convention, combatants who have declared themselves prisoners of war must be recognized as such. Those Puerto Ricans arrested were armed and accused of belonging to the Armed Forces of Puerto Rican National Libertion. The nature of the arrest and the US government's own indictment only serves to reaffirm that the eleven were combatants in the struggle for Puerto Rican independence at the time of their arrests. According to the Geneva Treaty, ratified by the UN in 1949, captured soldiers are prisoners of war. It is thus the argument of the eleven that they are prisoners of war.
This collection contains sub-collections focused on political parties and organizations committed to the struggle for Puerto Rican independence, groups and organizations founded to support political prisoners and prisoners of war and general information.
*Prisoners of War:
On October 12, 1970, UN resolution 2621 approved by the General Assembly, declared colonialism an international crime. Said resolution reaffirmed the right of any intervened, colonized nation to utilize whatever form of struggle is necessary to obtain its independence. Armed struggle, military resistance and whatever form of struggle that leads to the independence of nations that are colonized, invaded and occupied by foreign military troops, is recognized as a right by the UN. Puerto Rico, by virtue of being a colonial state is supported by International Law.
International Law is also very specific in reference to prisoners of war. According to the Geneva Convention, combatants who have declared themselves prisoners of war must be recognized as such. Those Puerto Ricans arrested were armed and accused of belonging to the Armed Forces of Puerto Rican National Libertion. The nature of the arrest and the US government's own indictment only serves to reaffirm that the eleven were combatants in the struggle for Puerto Rican independence at the time of their arrests. According to the Geneva Treaty, ratified by the UN in 1949, captured soldiers are prisoners of war. It is thus the argument of the eleven that they are prisoners of war.
Documents
![Vieques: People at War/ Un Pueblo en Guerra](images/thumbnails//32124.jpg)
Publisher: Comite Nacional Pro Defensa de ViequesFormat: PamphletCollection: Puerto Rico: A History of the People
(In Spanish and English)
![Nukes & Navy- Out of Puerto Rico!](images/thumbnails//32128.jpg)
Publisher: October 30th Committee in Solidarity with Puerto RicoFormat: FlyerCollection: Puerto Rico: A History of the People
A short information sheet about how the military presence on the island and the dangerous industries that come along are evidence that the U.S. is exploiting the Puerto Rican people.
![There's a War in Puerto Rico](images/thumbnails//32129.jpg)
Publisher: October 30th Committee in Solidarity with Puerto RicoFormat: FlyerCollection: Puerto Rico: A History of the People
![Tighten Your Belt!](images/thumbnails//32131.jpg)
Format: MonographCollection: Puerto Rico: A History of the People
A look at how high unemployment in Puerto Rico was caused by government practices serving the interests of U.S. corporations
![Cuba and Puerto Rico: Two Wings of One Bird](images/thumbnails//32133.jpg)
Publisher: Puerto Rican Solidarity CommitteeFormat: ReportCollection: Puerto Rico: A History of the People
![Women in the Colonial Society: Massive Sterilization](images/thumbnails//34176.jpg)
Format: ExcerptCollection: Puerto Rico: A History of the People
This excerpt is about massive sterilization and the myth of overpopulation. Includes information on sterilization as part of the the colonial project in Puerto Rico.