Prisoners Update

Medical Care Needed for Oscar López Rivera

The health of Puerto Rican political prisoner Oscar López Rivera continues at risk. Last March, Dr. Taude, a surgeon at the United States Penitentiary at Terre Haute, Indiana, where Oscar is held, diagnosed bilateral hernias. Other physicians have confirmed that the hernias, if untreated, could result in a surgical emergency.

Oscar has reported increasing pain to medical staff. In early October, the doctor assured him that he had recommended surgery, but that it was up to the Bureau of Prisons to approve it.

In mid-October, we wrote to the Harley G. Lappin, director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, to protest the delay, and initiated a campaign for Oscar's medical care. Oscar is serving a 70 year sentence, and is not eligible for release until 2027. For more than half of his 22 years in prison, he was held in solitary confinement in the most maximum security prisons, politically punitive conditions. Withholding needed medical care is another weapon in the government's arsenal to try to break his will

In late October, Oscar was taken to the infirmary, shown the letters that had come in, and told that the surgery was approved -- but he was not given a date, and the surgery still has not taken place. We need to continue sending more letters until both hernias are safely and successfully repaired.

Please write to:

Harley G. Lappin, Director

Federal Bureau of Prisons

320 First Street N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20534

BOP fax number: 202/514-6878

Re: Oscar López Rivera, 87651-024

Contacts in Puerto Rico:

Comité Pro Derechos Humanos

Condominio Caribbean Towers, 670 Ponce de León, Apt. 1018,

San Juan, PR 00907, Margarita Mergal 787/732-3209

Contacts in U.S.:

National Boricua Human Rights Network, P.O. Box 112, 2820 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL 60647, 773/342-8022, www.boricuahumanrights.org .

Vieques Arrestees Set for Sentencing

Federal judge José Fusté dictated sentences in December in the cases of those arrested for the events surrounding the May 1st events in Vieques, which marked the end of the US Navy occupation of a portion of Vieques. While thousands celebrated, some dozens participated in the overturning of vehicles and the dismantling of a guard post. As a result, on June 25, twelve Vieques leaders and activists were singled out from those who participated in the events and arrested.

Eleven of the arrested accepted a plea bargain in August in order to avoid mandatory 5 to 20 year sentences. José Pérez González was the exception. At his trial in September, he pled not guilty, but was found guilty by Judge Fusté of conspiracy and destruction of federal property and faces between 5 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 he is sentenced on December 11. Jorge Armenteros, attorney for Perez Gonzalez, compared the events of May 1 to past international occurrences such as the dismantling of the Berlin Wall and the toppling this year of the statues of Saddam Hussein in Iraq.

“When it happened in Iraq and in Berlin, we applauded, and what happened here, we criminalize,” he stated.

Other leaders who were sentenced December 4 are: Nilda Medina, the former president of the Federation of Teachers, Jesús Delgado, José Montañez Sanes-nephew of David Sanes, killed in 1999 during Navy bombing practices in Vieques, Manuel Pérez Santiago, Néstor de Jesús Guishard, Osvaldo Skerett Cecilio, Heriberto Carmona and Andrés Santiago. William Miró Hodge had his sentencing hearing scheduled for December 5.

José Velez Acosta and José Pérez González were the two activists serving prison until their sentencing date in December.

In September the Committee of Families of Arrested - May First coordinated a radio marathon that raised $20,000 to help pay the costs of defense and support.

Monetary contributions can be made out to the “Committee of Families of Arrested - May First” and sent to: P.O. Box 1424 Vieques, PR 00765.

Sources: AP, 9/11/03; EFE, 11/18/03; El Vocero, 6/26/03;11/17/03.