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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.

Subcollections

  • 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

Lucy Rodriguez/Alicia Rodriguez at San Francisco Airport, Leaving for home Lucy Rodriguez/Alicia Rodriguez at San Francisco Airport, Leaving for home
Digital photograph on paper
Locked  up for Liberation Locked up for Liberation
Author: Amy SonniePublisher: San Francisco Bay GuardianYear: 1999Format: ArticleCollection: Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacion Nacional (FALN)
Article on FALN, Carmen Valentin and the campaign for clemency
Some positive stories on the Puerto Rican prisoners Some positive stories on the Puerto Rican prisoners
Author: Dianna BlockYear: 1999Format: CorrespondenceCollection: Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacion Nacional (FALN)
Positive articles in response to anti-terrorist backlash on clemency debate for 15 Puerto Rican political prisoners
Puerto Rican Demo Reports & the Backlash Puerto Rican Demo Reports & the Backlash
Author: Diana BlockYear: 1999Format: CorrespondenceCollection: Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacion Nacional (FALN)
Forwarded pieces on demonstrations in San Juan, San Francisco and Humboldt. Includes San Francisco Chronicle editorial on Clinton's clemency offer.
Chron Editorial on PR POWs Chron Editorial on PR POWs
Author: Rob McBrideYear: 1999Format: CorrespondenceCollection: Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacion Nacional (FALN)
Forwarded article from SF gate with request to write editorials in favor of unconditional clemency for Puerto Rican Political Prisoners
Incarcerated Puerto Rican Terrorists Incarcerated Puerto Rican Terrorists
Publisher: U.S. Department of JusticeYear: 1999Format: MonographCollection: Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacion Nacional (FALN)
Profile of FALN. Includes convictions of FALN members
The Last Refuge: Questions for Ida Luz Rodriguez The Last Refuge: Questions for Ida Luz Rodriguez
Author: Nina SiegalYear: 1999Format: TranscriptCollection: Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacion Nacional (FALN)
Interview with FALN member Ida Luz Rodriguez after her release
Release of Puerto Rican Prisoners Release of Puerto Rican Prisoners
Author: Sonja SivesindPublisher: Prison Activist Resource CenterYear: 1999Format: CorrespondenceCollection: Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacion Nacional (FALN)
Request to write White House for uncriminalized and unconditional clemency for 15 Puerto Rican political prisoners. Includes statement of issues with offer
Clinton offers Puerto Rican Bombers Clemency if the Renounce violence Clinton offers Puerto Rican Bombers Clemency if the Renounce violence
Publisher: San Francisco ChonicleYear: 1999Format: ArticleCollection: Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacion Nacional (FALN)
Photocopy of article on Clinton offer of clemency to 13 Puerto Rican Political Prisoners
Yes' To the Freedom of 13 Prisoners Yes' To the Freedom of 13 Prisoners
Author: Leonor MuleroPublisher: El Nuevo DiaYear: 1999Format: ArticleCollection: Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacion Nacional (FALN)
Forwarded article in email regarding White House counsel recommendation of the release of 13 Puerto Rican political prisoners