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.
Subcollections
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Free Puerto Rican POWs and Political Prisoners
The National Committee to Free Puerto Rican POWs and Political Prisoners, 1981-1998, campaigned around many issues, regarding the 15 Puerto Rican Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War. -
Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacion Nacional (FALN)
The FALN was an anti-colonial and anti-imperialist clandestine organization based in the diaspora using armed propaganda to advocate for Puerto Rican independence. -
Libertad
Bi-lingual newsletters produced from 1979-1998 by the Committee to Free Puerto Rican Prisoners of war. Libertad’s primary mission was to organize support for Puerto Rican prisoners of war incarcerated by the United States. -
Movimiento de Liberacion Nacional
Formed to analyze attempts by the US government to crush the Puerto Rican independence movement, and to form a new political vehicle to resist this oppression. -
New Movement
An anti-imperialist group in solidarity with the Puerto Rican Independence movement, it supported all aspects of the Puerto Rican Independence Movement- including clandestine groups on the island and in the Diaspora. -
Puerto Rico Small Books and Monographs
This collection contains books and monographs pertaining to the independence struggle of Puerto Rico. Many of these books were written by major figures in the Puerto Rican Independence movement and discuss a variety of topics. -
Puerto Rico: A History of the People
This collection contains documents detailing the various struggles of Puerto Ricans against foreign invaders from the arrival of the Spanish to the current occupation by the United States of America. -
Que Ondee Sola
Que Ondee Sola was established in 1972 and remains the oldest Puerto Rican/Latina/o university student publication in print.
Documents
Albizu Campos: Puerto Rican Revolutionary
Biography of Puerto Rican liberation leader Albizu Campos. The leader of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party for over 30 years, Campos has been called one of the most inspirational political leaders of the 20th century.
Vito Marcantonio, US Congressman (1934-1950): Fighter for Puerto Rico's Independence
Publisher: Third World CoalitionCollection: Puerto Rico Small Books and Monographs
Selected Speeches: May 6, 1936; August 14, 1939; July 17, 1942; June 6, 1947; December 18, 1947; June 19, 1948; October 19,1949; March 16,1950. Introduction by annette T. Ribinstein.
Toward People's War for Independence and Socialism in Puerto Rico: In Defence of Armed Struggle
Publisher: Committee in Solidarity with Puerto Rican independence, May 19th Communist Organization, Midwest Action League, Prarie Fire Organizing committee, Sojourner truth OrganizationYear: 1979Format: MonographCollection: Puerto Rico Small Books and Monographs
Writings from Don Juan Corretjer, Secretary-General for La Liga Socialista Puertorrique
The Puerto Rican Prisoners of War and Violations of their Human Rights
Publisher: United Church of ChristFormat: MonographCollection: Puerto Rico Small Books and Monographs
Introduction by Juan Manuel Delgado. Account of the history of Puerto Rican Political Prisoners and the Resistance Movement. Information on Edwin Cort
Statement to the Court
Publisher: Movimento de LiberaciYear: 1987Format: TranscriptCollection: Puerto Rico Small Books and Monographs
Statement by Filiberto Ojeda-Rios to the court after over 2 1/2 years of incarceration without trial in the United States. The statement is meant to adress the jurisdiction of the court as it pertains to international law, due process and human rights.
One Nation One Party
Publisher: Ediciones Puerto RicoYear: 1975Format: MonographCollection: Puerto Rico Small Books and Monographs
Edited version of a speech given by florencio Merced Rose, member of the National Political Comission of the Puerto Rican Socialist Party and delegate of the body to the U.S. Branch of the PSP, at the University of Puerto Rico on November 1974.
En la Carcel, seguimos la lucha!: Testimonio de dos huelgas de hambre Presos Politicos-Guayaquil Ecuador
Year: 1987Collection: Puerto Rico Small Books and Monographs
About political prisoners on hunger strike in Quito, Ecuador.
Albizu Campos and the Ponce Massacre
Publisher: World View PublishersCollection: Puerto Rico Small Books and Monographs
A personal account of the Ponce Massacre and events leading up to the riot. Includes information on Bolivar marquez, Albizu Campos.
