LISTSERV - SCIENCE-FOR-THE-PEOPLE Archives

Date: Tue, 11 May 1999 11:14:44 -0400 (EDT)
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To: AgitArte/ACT of Lynn:;
From: Daniel Fox <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Fwd:  Vieques

Please do not delete this petition; if you haven't the time to read it, ple=
ase append your name and pass it along to those who might.   On April 19, 1=
999, American F-18 fighter planes, on a routine bombing maneuver over the i=
sland of Vieques (a small island of approximately 8,000 inhabitants 7 miles=
 off the SE coast of Puerto Rico belonging to the Commonwealth of Puerto Ri=
co), dropped "by mistake" two five-hundred pound bombs on a guard-post on C=
amp Garcia, US Navy. The incident resulted in the death of David Sanet, a s=
ecurity guard employed by a private company, and the wounding of four other=
s, whose names have not yet been released. The four individuals wounded are=
 being hospitalized at Fort Roosevelt (Puerto Rico), and the US Navy refuse=
s to comment on their condition.

This tragedy is only the latest incident in a history of US Naval presence =
on Vieques that extends back to the early 1940's, when the Navy expropriate=
d 26,000 acres of land, more than 72 percent of the island's total area. Th=
is land was stolen primarily to use for artillery drills, bombing exercises=
, and munitions storage. The effects of this expropriation were devastating=
 to the local population. The Playa Grande Sugar Mill, the center of the is=
land's modest economy, was forced to close, and a severe social and economi=
c crisis ensued. The US Interior Department planned to alleviate this crisi=
s by relocating the island's entire population to Saint Croix, US
Virgin Islands, and granting control of the remaining territory to the Navy=
. Fierce opposition quelled these plans, and every additional attempt at re=
location over the course of twenty years.

In 1964, the residents of Barrio Esperanza, on Vieques's south coast, organ=
ized opposition to stop the last forcible effort to relocate the remaining =
population. Opposition hasn't been limited to a defensive posture, however.=
 The residents of Vieques have banded together in a number of aggressive ef=
forts to halt the US Military's exploitation of the island. Fishermen of Vi=
eques have demonstrated repeatedly against bombing and against restrictions=
 limiting their use of the sea. There have been numerous demonstrations to =
raise public awareness to the catastrophic ecological consequences of the N=
avy's island operations. In 1983, the Governor of Puerto Rico, Carlos Barce=
lo, added his own voice to the popular opposition by issuing formal charges=
 against the Navy for ecological damage caused to Vieques. Today, in the wa=
ke of this senseless bombing, the demonstrations continue. The island's pop=
ulation has vowed to stage continuous protest, and the fishermen have said =
that they will f!
ish in restricted waters.

The Mayor of Vieques, Manuela Santiago, has drafted a "cease and desist" re=
solution to permanently halt all military operations on the island. This re=
solution, once passed by the Vieques Municipal Assembly, will serve as the =
consummate declaration of collective opposition to American Military presen=
ce on the island. Please voice your support for the struggle of Vieques by:

1. Appending your name to this petition to President William Clinton and Se=
cretary of Defense William Cohen.

2. Forwarding this petition to as many individuals as possible.
If your name on the petition is #50, #100, #150 ... please return it to:

[log in to unmask]

or

[log in to unmask]

Petition to: The President of the United States of America, William Clinton=
, and US Secretary of Defense, William Cohen.

We, the undersigned, are outraged at American Naval operations on the islan=
d of Vieques. The more than five decade long use of 72 percent of the islan=
d for artillery drills, bombing exercises, and storage of munitions has rav=
aged the environment, has dislocated the island's population, and has now r=
esulted in loss of human life. In accordance with Vieques Mayor Manuela San=
tiago's resolution, we petition that the US Navy cease and desist all opera=
tions on the island of Vieques.

Note: It is best if you highlight the text in its entirety and COPY it onto=
 a new outgoing message, add your name to the bottom of the list, then send=
 it on. Thanks.

1. Kevin Hoffman, San Diego, CA
2. Aned Yarelis Muniz Gracia, Corozal, PR
3. Dr. Rev. Thomas Marshall, Santa Cruz, CA
4. Alba Yarimar Muniz Gracia, Corozal, PR
5. Freddie Marrero, New York, NY
6. Heidi J. Figueroa Sarriera, Trujillo Alto, PR
7. Edwin Ramos Mart=EDnez, Trujillo Alto, PR
8.Alejandro Torres Rivera, Trujillo Alto, PR
9.Victor Ivan Rodriguez Perez , Manati , PR
10. Dr. H=E9ctor L. Pesquera, Bayam=F3n, PR
11. Jos=E9 Escoda, San Juan, Puerto Rico
12. Lyvia Rodr=EDguez, San Juan, Puerto Rico
13. Marisa Rosado, Puerto Rico
14. Rosaelena Su=E1rez Sierra, Puerto Rico
15.  Kar=EDn Men=E9ndez Delmestre, Puerto Rico
16. Sara Gavrell Ortiz, Puerto Rico
17. Adolfo L. Velazquez Dones, Puerto Rico
18. Abel Baerga Ortiz,San Diego,CA
19. Benjamin Ernesto Torres Vergne, Atlanta, GA
20. Jose F. Otero, Somerville, MA
21. Raul C. Gomila, Boston, MA
22. Ana Morales, Waltham, MA
23. Jose E Lizardi, Bayam=F3n, PR
24. Carola Fernandez Rivera, PR
25. Otto L. Aldahondo, San Juan, PR
26. Omar G=F3mez, San Juan, PR
27. Grace M. Robiou, Guaynabo, PR
28. Vera Soltero, San Juan, PR
29. Isabel Ramos, San Juan, PR
30. Hector Arce, Boston, MA
31. Daniel Fox, Boston, MA





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