http://themilitant.com/2016/8047/804720.html
The Militant (logo)
Vol. 80/No. 47 December 19, 2016
(editorial)
Join fight to free Oscar López!
Support for the fight to free Puerto Rican independence fighter Oscar
López is growing, in Puerto Rico, the U.S., and revolutionary Cuba. It
deserves the active support of workers, farmers and youth in the U.S.
and around the world. López was framed up on conspiracy charges for
opposing Washington’s colonial occupation and oppression of the people
of Puerto Rico. His dignity and determination during 35 years in U.S.
prisons have inspired growing solidarity and strengthened his resolve to
continue to fight for independence for Puerto Rico.
The attacks on workers by the “fiscal control board” — imposed by the
propertied ruling class in the U.S. to guarantee payment to bondholders
on the backs of workers — have shined a spotlight on Puerto Rico’s
colonial status and fuel the fight to demand President Barack Obama
pardon López before he leaves office.
Workers worldwide have seen the weeklong mass outpouring of working
people of all generations in Cuba to salute the life of Fidel Castro and
rededicate themselves to advancing and defending their revolution. This
reinforces and gives momentum to the demand for a pardon. At the same
time, Cuba’s revolutionary government and people are stepping up their
efforts to advance the fight for Oscar’s release.
“For those of us who love justice and freedom, want a better and more
just world free of colonialism and imperialism, revolutionary Cuba has
been and will continue to be a beacon of hope and an example to
emulate,” López has said.
Cuban heroes Fernando González and Gerardo Hernández — two of the Cuban
Five who served years in U.S. jails for defending the Cuban Revolution
against counterrevolutionary aggression condoned by Washington — joined
a recent meeting in Havana to build the fight to free López. The
international campaign that over 16 years made the case of the Cuban
Five widely known and won their freedom shows that victory is possible
for López and others.
We should add to the signatures, already totaling more than 106,000, on
the White House petition to free Oscar López. Organize and join
activities in your area to put pressure on the administration. If Obama
doesn’t pardon López, this fight will continue and gain strength until
the day it forces open the prison gates and Oscar walks free.
The international fight also helps defend his right to be politically
active as long as he remains behind bars.
“The people of Puerto Rico and working people in the U.S. have common
interests, a common enemy, a common struggle,” said Socialist Workers
Party leader Alyson Kennedy at the hearing of the United Nations Special
Committee on Decolonization in June.
End U.S. colonial oppression! Independence for Puerto Rico!
Join the fight to free Oscar López!
Related articles:
Sign the petition to free Oscar López!
Fight to free Oscar López is gaining broad support
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