We are 13 days away from our march and rally. On almost no money, all volunteer labor, and supporters far and wide who have donated dollars and time to bring this event about we are here. 

 

 

Help us bring him one step closer to freedom by donating generously.

Mail checks to (and write May 30th Coalition in the memo):

El Maestro, Inc

1300 Southern Blvd.

Bronx, NY 10459

Ren? P?rez, Grammy Award Winning Superstar, Exhorts 

All to Support Oscar and Come Out on Sat., May 30th!

Melissa Mark Viverito, Speaker, NYC Council asks all

to Come Out for Oscar on Sat., May 30th

El escritor y miembro de la Junta Editorial de El Nuevo D?a, ?ngel Dar?o Carrero, falleci? hoy en Puerto Rico tras una dura batalla contra el c?ncer. Ten?a 49 a?os de edad. 

El padre Dar?o, como se le conoc?a al sacerdote franciscano, fue un hombre de muchos sombreros: escritor, poeta, cr?tico literario, ant?logo, te?logo, profesor y periodista cultural. Su voz independiente siempre se hizo sentir con fuerza en el ?mbito cultural, social y pol?tico del pa?s. Fue defensor de las causas justas e intelectual de primer orden, quien siempre trabaj? por el bienestar de su pa?s y su gente. 

Carrero fue una figura clave en el proceso de desobediencia civil que redund? en la salida de la Marina de los Estados Unidos de la isla municipio de Vieques, abog? por la liberaci?n de los presos pol?ticos puertorrique?os, en especial por la de Oscar L?pez Rivera, levant? su voz en contra de las enmiendas constitucionales para eliminar el derecho absoluto a la fianza y se expres? a favor de la equidad en materia de derechos civiles.

Dentro de esta historia de los Cincos Cubanos, hay una riqueza de experiencias y lecciones que son emblem?ticas de las grandes luchas de nuestra humanidad. El sentido del deber que ha guiado a cada uno de ellos les ha dado la fuerza de resistir bajo condiciones insufribles. El hilo que los mantuvo fuerte, con claridad de mente y corazon lleno, siempre fue el apoyo incondicional de sus mujeres, familias, madres, hermanas, hijos, hijas y amigos alrededor del mundo. Nunca estaban solos, ni siquiera durante los 17 meses que estuvieron sometidos en prisi?n a la tormenta solitaria e inhumana del "hueco." Como me dijo Antonio, nunca estaban presos realmente. "Cada noche al acostar mi cabeza en la almohada sabiendo que hab?a cumplido con el deber, sab?a que era libre."

Continuo.

Estimados amigos:

Estamos constituyendo un Comite Pro Liberacion de Oscar Lopez Rivera,

en la Republica de Panama.

Este Comite estara dirigido por la sociologa Briseida Berrante, reconocida

activista y luchadora por los derechos humanos.

La Cumbre de los Pueblos, celebrada recientemente en la Universidad de Panama,

con la asistencia de mas de 3,500 delegados reclamo mediante resolucion

unanime la libertad de Oscar Lopez Rivera.

Este compromiso es parte de esa resolucion.

 

Le agradecere me envien toda la informacion posible sobre Oscar, para hacerle

llegar un "paquetito" a Panama lo mas pronto posible.

Somos expresi?n de la juventud de la clase trabajadora, la parte m?s atacada en el mundo, quienes en varios de los pa?ses somos num?ricamente la mayor?a poblacional que integramos cada una de nuestras naciones. Somos las y los j?venes del mundo, queremos vivir dignamente, luchar y ser felices. Somos quienes asumimos el compromiso de una completa transformaci?n social, que como parte de la historia presente ha logrado rescatar la memoria de las luchas anteriores y que buscamos ser consecuentes para poder dejar futuro donde puedan vivir las generaciones que est?n por venir. 

En este sentido, nos reunimos 36 movimientos populares de juventud, de 24 pa?ses, de 4 continentes (?frica, Am?rica, Asia y Europa) para encontramos el 3, 4 y 5 de mayo de 2015 en la Escuela Nacional Florestan Fernandes (ENFF) en Sao Paulo, Brasil; con la finalidad de hacer un esfuerzo por reconocernos como la parte mayormente golpeada, al tiempo de ubicar cu?les son nuestros enemigos y banderas de lucha comunes, adem?s de plantear un piso de partida para continuar con este esfuerzo de construcci?n hacia una articulaci?n internacionalista, antiimperialista, anti-colonialista, anti-neoliberal y anti-patriarcal. 

SIGA LEYENDO.

The Puerto Rican Cultural Center and National Boricua Human Rights Network wish Mario Torres, brother of Alejandro Torres, a rapid and complete recovery from his stroke.

On Sunday, May 17th, 33 churches of interdenominational faith came together for a special gathering at the Bronx Spanish Evangelical Church to demand the release of Puerto Rican political prisoner Oscar L?pez Rivera, who has been behind bars for 33 years. In addition to a moving sermon by Congregational Church of South Hempstead United Church of Christ Minister Reginald Brantley, Oscar's daughter Clarisa L?pez also addressed the audience with an impassioned plea to join her family and thousands of supporters as they march through Harlem and East Harlem on May 30th.

On Thursday, May 14, 2015, over 50 students, faculty and activists gather to listen to Suzanne Adely, Joe Catron, Brooke Reynolds and Alejandro L. Molina speak at a event sponsored by the Students for Justice in Palestine-Hunter College Chapter, operated by Michael Bellamy. Lamis Deek was unable to make it at the last minute. Rasmea Odeh, the Palestinian activist who is currently the object of an attack by the US government, sent a video greeting to the gathering. View here.

 

Suzanne began the panel by speaking on the distinct variations of the workers and human rights struggles as compared with Palestine, giving notable examples. Joe Catron followed up with an information filled slideshow on detainees, physical abuse, political prisoners and torture citing first hand reports on the process of arrest to abuse to outright torture.

 

Brooke Reynolds, representing Jericho Campaign to Free Political Prisoners in the US, spoke movingly of Jalil Muntaquim, a former Black Panther activist who has spent 42 years in prison, maintaining his commitment to Black liberation. Brooke spoke of her visits to Jalil and urged those present to visit also as part of their self-education.

 

Alejandro led by reading a piece of prose by Ghassan Kanafani, a Palestinian author and poet assassinated in 1972, on the concept of diaspora and homeland, referencing the Puerto Rican diaspora. Speaking on the Campaign to Free Oscar L?pez Rivera, Alejandro referenced earlier campaigns to free Puerto Rican political prisoners, beginning with the Five Puerto Rican Nationalists to the present and the success of the broad movement(s) that have come together as a coalition to demand their freedom. He also expanded on the concept of solidarity at specific points in the development of our campaigns, and called for all present to come out with friends, family and loved ones to the May 30th March and Rally for Oscar L?pez Rivera.

Today, April 17, the United States Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) joins our people and supporters across the world in calling for international solidarity on Palestinian Prisoners' Day. As noted by the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, every year since 1974 we commemorate the liberation of Mahmoud Hijazi, the first Palestinian political prisoner freed in an exchange negotiated by the Palestinian resistance. We come together on this day to demand freedom for all Palestinian prisoners held in the prisons of both the Israeli occupation and the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Since the Nakba and the establishment of the settler-colonial, apartheid state of Israel, over one million Palestinians have been imprisoned, 850,000 between the 1967 occupation and the present. Right now, close to 6,500 Palestinian political prisoners are in Israeli jails. Two hundred of these prisoners are children, 24 women, and 14 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council; and at least 500 are being held under administrative detention without charge or trial.

The issue of political prisoners is the most fundamental in all national liberation struggles. We remember and honor Bobby Sands and the other H-Block prisoners from the North of Ireland, and the legendary Nelson Mandela and Robben Island prisoners of South Africa's anti-Apartheid movement. We also call for the release of important prisoners right here in the U.S.-the last of the Puerto Rican independentistas still in jail after close to 34 years, Oscar Lopez; American Indian Movement icon Leonard Peltier; our brother Mumia Abu-Jamal, whose life is in jeopardy because of purposeful medical neglect by the U.S. government; and dozens of other mostly Black Liberation activists and organizers, some imprisoned since the 1960s.

Rita Moreno ser? la Gran Mariscal, mientras que el cantante V?ctor Manuelle ser? el rey del Desfile

La junta directiva del Desfile Nacional Puertorrique?o anunci? la lista de personalidades que participar?n en la edici?n 58 del multitudinario evento, que una vez m?s se tomar? la Quinta Avenida el pr?ximo 14 de junio.

La reconocida actriz Rita Moreno , ganadora de numerosos premios, entre ellos un Oscar, fue nombrada como la Gran Mariscal, mientras que el cantante V?ctor Manuelle , ser? el rey del Desfile, seg?n lo anunci? este lunes la presidenta de la junta directiva Lorraine Cort?s-V?squez . El desfile mantendr? el lema "Un Pueblo Muchas Voces" al que se le ha agregado el tema especial conmemorativo "Celebrando la Herencia Afro-Antillana" , que coincide con la designaci?n por parte de las Naciones Unidas  de los pr?ximos 10 a?os como "La D?cada Internacional de los Afrodescendientes". El actor Lin-Manuel Miranda , protagonista y creador del musical de Broadway "Hamilton",  recibir? el reconocimiento "Nuestro Orgullo"  por su aportaci?n al teatro musical. Adem?s se honrar? a la legendaria cantante de ?pera Martina Arroyo , a la doctora Marta Moreno Vega, fundadora del Centro Cultural del Caribe y el Instituto de la Di?spora Africana, a la novelista y educadora Mayra Santos-Febres, al m?sico y compositor Cuco Pe?a, al pintor Carmelo Sobrino y al director de orquesta, m?sico y compositor Miguel Zen?n. Se dar?n adem?s homenajes p?stumos al historiador, autor y activista Arturo Schomberg y a la core?grafa, actriz y activista Sylvia del Villard. De acuerdo a Cort?s-V?squez, en la iniciativa de educaci?n para este a?o se otorgar?n 32 becas, adem?s que "se tiene como meta para 2017, conceder un total de 100 becas estudiantiles". La presidenta del Concejo Municipal Melissa Mark-Viverito , que particip? en el acto para anunciar la lista de personalidades, record? que una vez m?s se pedir? la libertad deOscar Lopez Rivera . "Como padre y activista, 33 a?os en prisi?n son m?s que suficientes, por eso haremos un pedido para su libertad", dijo la funcionaria.

SIGA LEYENDO.

Speech for Oscar L?pez Rivera for Commemorative Events on the 50th Anniversary of Albizu Campos' Death, April 21-26, 2015 in New York City

Estimadas y estimados,

Thank you for the opportunity to discuss with you all one of the most important issues in our community and in our times.

In 1999, eleven Puerto Ricans triumphantly returned to their families, communities, and homeland after two decades of politically based captivity. I was proudly one of those individuals-a political prisoner charged with "seditious conspiracy" and sentenced to live and die in a U.S. prison. The story of the struggle to free us is one that has been barely told and hopefully one day it will, in all of its pain and victory. But today I want to focus on another revolutionary banished to die in prison for his faith in the Puerto Rican nation-Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos-and to remind you of our collective responsibility to fight for the freedom of another patriot held in bondage.

Fifty-years ago today, one of Puerto Rico's more revered and outspoken men died, in his home, after spending more than a decade in a tortuous prison. In total, he spent nearly twenty-five years of his seventy-four years of life as a captured bird in the U.S. government's prison system. And what was his crime? The same crime committed by political figures that today are openly celebrated and praised, like Nelson Mandela, who was imprisoned by the South African government also for "seditious conspiracy." Mandela, as we know, fought to bring an end to South Africa's racist, apartheid structure. For Albizu Campos, it was the U.S. occupation of the island that he sought to overturn. It was even illegal to fly the Puerto Rican flag.

On Thursday May 7, a posthumous memorial and celebration of the life of Josefina Rodr?guez V?lez Lamberti was held at the Ram?n Frade Auditorium of the University of Puerto Rico, Cayey Campus. Josefina Rodriguez was an activist in the struggle for the independence of Puerto Rico, and mother of two of our ex political prisoners, Idaluz and Alicia Rodr?guez.

Fifo, Irma Romero and Alejandrina Torres at the Puerto Rican Poeples Parade in Chicago

 

The event was beautiful. the stage was filled to bursting with artists and activists who had known Josefina, who arrived to offer their art and testimony in recognition of her value and contributions to the Puerto Rican independence movement, as well as the Puerto Rican Community in Chicago.

 

Roy Brown, the folk music group Mapey?, Gris?l Ram?rez, Juan Gonz?lez and the group Alhambre Dulce were among the artists who participated in the event. Ex political prisoners Idaluz and Alicia Rodr?guez, as well as their sister Evelyn addressed the audience and thanked those present for the love they had shown their mother. They spoke of the sense of balance that Josefina always managed to maintain in her life; a sense of balance which enabled her to raise and nurture her children, instill in them values of dignity and pride in their culture and nation, as she addressed the needs of the struggle for her country's freedom. Ida Luz observed that Josefina never sought the recognition of others, nor to be looked upon as the main protagonist in any situation, but simply to give whatever her people's struggle required.

 

Idaluz's observation was echoed by everyone else who discussed their experiences with Josefina. Ex-political prisoner Alberto Rodr?guez, imprisoned on the charge of "seditious conspiracy" to overthrow the u.s. "government" in Puerto Rico, spoke of Josefina's calm and gentle demeanor, of her humility, and of the nerves of steel she demonstrated as she confronted a group of american racists who tried to attack a demonstration of Puerto Ricans against police brutality.

 

Ex-political prisoner Raymond Soto, jailed for his refusal to co-operate with federal grand juries bent on investigating the Puerto Rican independence movement, spoke of Josefina's immense solidarity. He observed that though she had two daughters of her own who were imprisoned and needed her attention, she managed to find time to travel to New York on September 23, 1983 to receive him when he was released from prison.

 

Many of those present spoke of her travels through Central and South America, where she made others aware of the plight of our political prisoners, as she in tern showed her empathy and solidarity with those who'd been tortured, disappeared and imprisoned in the region.

 

Excerpts of the book she wrote were read. The book concerned her experiences in Chicago -- her personal experiences, as well as her experiences in the struggle for Puerto Rico's independence.

 

Rest in peace Josefina. We value you, miss you, and will always remember you.

Secaucus, N.J. - The United National Antiwar Coalition held its fourth national gathering in Secaucus, N.J., May 8-10 under the theme "Stop the Wars at Home and Abroad." Over 400 delegates from the U.S. and Canada took on the task of challenging endless U.S. imperialist wars abroad and the increasing militarization of domestic police from Ferguson, Mo., to Baltimore.

This conference was unique in the history of the U.S. anti-war movement, which has never before so clearly taken up the need to oppose the war waged against oppressed communities in the U.S. Support for the resistance of Black and Brown youth who are standing up to an epidemic of police brutality was a central theme of many panels and workshops. Solidarity messages came from Ukraine, Canada, Cuba, Germany and Britain.

Formed in 2010, UNAC has become the largest anti-war coalition in the U.S. today, with nearly 120 member organizations opposing U.S. wars in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. UNAC co-coordinators are lifelong anti-war and labor activist Joe Lombardo and social justice activist Marilyn Levin.

CONTINUE READING.

National Boricua Human Rights Network in Chicago is taking 100 people to the New York 'March to Bring Oscar L?pez Rivera Home' on May 30th.

Marchers will be demanding the release of Oscar. Now age 72, he is the longest-held political prisoner in Puerto Rican history. He was charged with seditious conspiracy - the same charge for which Nelson Mandela was imprisoned - for his participation in Puerto Rico's independence movement. He was never accused of hurting anyone or participating in any violent crime; only of fighting for his country to be free.

The funding raised here will go toward renting a 55 passenger coach bus to transport supporters from Chicago to New York City. Continue reading.

On May 16, "El Jibaro" Andres Jimenez, Eduardo Villanueva, and Yesenia Cruz performed at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in the Bronx. Assemblyman Jose Rivera, Profesora Ana Lopez, and other members of the national campaign to free Puerto Rican political prisoner Oscar L?pez Rivera were also on hand to award Andres Jimenez with a portrait of Don Pedro Albizu Campos created by Oscar and gather petition signatures from concertgoers calling for his immediate release.

The Water's Edge would like to congratulate poet, writer & social media guru Gabriel Jos? Maldonado on his graduation day with a message for everyone: Free Oscar L?pez Rivera Now!

On Sunday, May 17, 2015, Rev. Dr. Samuel Cruz from the Trinity Lutheran Church in Brooklyn and Alejandro L. Molina of the May 30th Coalition March and Rally for the Free of Oscar L?pez Rivera were hosted by Franklin Simpson at Radio Vision Radio Station in Paterson, New Jersey. Rev. Cruz spoke movingly of the faith based initiative to support Oscar and the campaign to bring him home before Obama leaves office in 2017. He mentioned that he had just come from the 33 Churches for Oscar event where over 150 people were present, mostly ministers to join in the clamor or Oscar's release. Alejandro spoke of the NYC May 30th March and Rally for Oscar, the major event this year in the US for Oscar's release, and left contact details for more information and to get involved. 

LAST CHANCE TO PURCHASE TICKETS!

NYC Sculptor/Activist Contributes to May 30 Buildup

NYC-based artist Jes?s Mangual has carved a bust of Oscar L?pez Rivera and will donate part of the proceeds to the May 30th Mobilization and Rally to Free Oscar L?pez Rivera. Jesus has also committed to a donation of $500 to support our May 30th efforts. The raffle drawing will be held the date of the Puerto Rican parade, June 14th at Camaradas Bar, 2241 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10029. For raffle tickets, please contact him at: libresoy1898@gmail.com

Llevamos a Oscar de paseo para ensayar lo que ser? su sue?o convertido en realidad. Lo llevamos a ver el mar.

El preso pol?tico puertorrique?o Oscar L?pez Rivera, dentro de un mes cumple 34 a?os en c?rceles estadounidenses.

El alcalde de Pe?uelas, Walter Torres Maldonado, se uni? hoy al reclamo  en favor de la excarcelaci?n del preso pol?tico puertorrique?o Oscar L?pez Rivera, quien dentro de un mes cumple 34 a?os en c?rceles estadounidenses. 

Torres Maldonado recibi? a los integrantes del Comit? Pro derechos Humanos de Puerto Rico que visitaron su municipio durante la marcha convocada en reclamo nacional por la excarcelaci?n del prisionero pol?tico.

El alcalde hizo un llamado a favor de la solicitud de clemencia ejecutiva del prisionero, de 73 a?os.

 "Marchamos en favor del reclamo de excarcelaci?n de Oscar L?pez Rivera, quien en 1980 fue sentenciado a 78 a?os de prisi?n federal y lleva 33 a?os confinado en c?rceles federales norteamericanas", dijo Torres Maldonado.

El preso pol?tico fue condenado por el delito de conspiraci?n sediciosa para derrocar o destruir por la fuerza al gobierno norteamericano.

Adem?s, se le vincul? siempre con el grupo clandestino Fuerzas Armadas de Liberaci?n Nacional.

Torres Maldonado se uni? a los esfuerzos en favor de que se ponga de manifiesto las condiciones en las que ha vivido encerrado por los pasados 33 a?os. Sostuvo que el 29 de mayo, L?pez Rivera cumplir? 408 meses en celdas norteamericanas.

"Mi llamado es en favor de una clemencia ejecutiva a favor de la liberaci?n de Oscar L?pez Rivera. Nos unimos, una vez m?s, al reclamo al presidente norteamericano Barack Obama para  su excarcelaci?n",  agreg? Torres Maldonado.

Ser? una muestra de arte enmarcada en la solidaridad. Y lo har?n en medio de la calle con m?sica, tablones de madera, pintura al ?leo y aerosol.

Esta ser? la propuesta que presentar? la docena de artistas urbanos que unir? su talento al reclamo nacional por la excarcelaci?n del prisionero pol?tico Oscar L?pez Rivera, el jueves, 7 de mayo a las 7:00 de la noche en la calle Isabel.

Estos virtuosos pertenecen a la Fundaci?n Enlaces Urbanos, los mismos que cada primer jueves de mes transforman la concurrida v?a en una improvisada sala de arte.

"Esa noche los artistas pintar?n en vivo inspirados en la tem?tica de Oscar L?pez Rivera", adelant? Iraida Mu?iz Mart?nez, coordinadora del proyecto.

Jos? ?ngel Vega, Miguel Pe?a, Kevin Ramos, Kurt Waldemar Garmend?a, ?ngel Gelp?, Luis A. Mojica, Arnaldo Marcano y F?lix Rivera son algunos de los talentos que expondr?n su arte en el evento.

De esta manera, extender?n la labor educativa impulsada por el grupo "33 en 33 Por Oscar", colectivo que estar? en Ponce durante ese d?a para la "Segunda Caminata Nacional Por Oscar".

El destacado jurista espa?ol Baltasar Garz?n Real inaugur? esta semana un foro internacional para discutir el principio de la jurisdicci?n universal como instrumento en la lucha contra la impunidad en los cr?menes de derechos humanos, que tuvo sede en la Universidad de Puerto Rico, recinto de R?o Piedras (UPR-RP).

"El principio de jurisdicci?n universal significa que determinados cr?menes internacionales no pueden ni deben quedar impunes", declar? Garz?n durante la apertura de la jornada de tres d?as, auspiciada por la UPR, la Fundaci?n Internacional Baltasar Garz?n (FIBGAR) y la Fundaci?n Francisco Carvajal.

El principio de jurisdicci?n universal se refiere a la capacidad de un estado de juzgar determinados cr?menes de gravedad cometidos en otro territorio. Garz?n, pionero en la aplicaci?n de este principio en Espa?a, en su capacidad como juez promovi? la formulaci?n de cargos contra los responsables de las dictaduras en Argentina y Chile, muy notablemente, una orden de arresto contra el dictador chileno Augusto Pinochet.

Con el voto un?nime de su Asamblea Anual, la Secci?n de Puerto Rico de Amnist?a Internacional (AIPR) se propone pedir a la direcci?n internacional de esa organizaci?n que desarrolle una campa?a mundial de cartas pidiendo la excarcelaci?n de Oscar L?pez Rivera. El que Amnist?a Internacional tome la causa de L?pez Rivera implica la integraci?n a esa lucha por su excarcelaci?n de sobre 3 millones de activistas en 150 pa?ses. Amnist?a Internacional es una de las organizaciones sin fines de lucro m?s importante a nivel global que trabaja para el reconocimiento y la preservaci?n de los derechos humanos reconocidos en la Declaraci?n Universal de los Derechos Humanos aprobada en el 1948.

SIGA LEYENDO.

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