Puerto Rico Update, December 2003

May 15-18, 2004

After the cessation of bombing in Vieques, formalized on May 1, 2003, the Vieques movement and its allies in Puerto Rico and the United States have increased their organizing to achieve justice in the other demands of the island’s people. The work has included gathering support for a claim for damages to human health and the environment in Vieques; demanding that the Navy dedicate sufficient funds for the cleanup of contamination it has left behind, in both the western and eastern sides of Vieques; and progressing in the creation of mechanisms for community control of lands transferred to Vieques and those in the hands of Fish & Wildlife Service that are still to be returned.

The appropriation of funds to compensate viequenses, to clean up the lands and waters contaminated by the Navy, and for the eventual return of the lands all require federal legislation and the mobilization of political and grassroots support. For these reasons, U.S. and Puerto Rican groups and individuals will gather in Washington, DC from May 15-18, 2004, to strengthen the movement in solidarity with Vieques and to lobby for the objectives defined as priorities by Vieques community organizations.

The conference will have three elements: discussions, presentations and workshops by Vieques leaders and others on where the movement is in its achievements and aims and on related issues; (2) intensive lobbying of Congress on Vieques; and (3) a public action to support the viequenses’ demands.

In the Spring, Congressional committees will be considering funding legislation, and because it is an election year, many Representatives, Senators and the White House want to appear in a positive light, especially with Latino voters. The Hispanic Caucus has already taken the lead in advocating legislation to meet the just claims and demands of the Vieques community. But legislators need to hear from the people of Vieques and their grassroots supporters – that’s YOU.

¡Muevate! For more information, contact Sonia Ivette Dueño at <SDueno@UMC-GBCS.ORG>, tel. 202-488-5618 or John Lindsay-Poland at <johnlp@igc.org>, tel. 415-495-6334.

©2003 Fellowship of Reconciliation