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Vol. 81/No. 37 October 9, 2017
Oscar López: ‘Colonialism is a crime against humanity’
PHILADELPHIA — “Colonialism is a crime against humanity,” Oscar López
Rivera — framed up and imprisoned by the U.S. government for 36 years
for his activities promoting independence for Puerto Rico — told an
enthusiastic crowd of several hundred supporters at Taller
Puertorriqueño here Sept. 18. It was exactly four months and one day
since he won his release from prison.
“This is a very humbling and very moving moment. I am profoundly
grateful to all of you,” he said, referring to everyone in Philadelphia
and beyond who helped win his freedom. “My honor and dignity are
stronger than the day I was put in prison.”
“This is a moment of crisis in Puerto Rico, a very, very critical
moment,” López said. The fight to decolonize Puerto Rico is the only way
to make sure it “will be a free, independent, strong nation.”
“We don’t need anything else but to act united, and we can do it
independent of our ideological differences, independent of religious
preferences, even in spite of prejudices we have,” he said. “We can do
it because we can transcend those few things that prevent us from coming
together.”
López said he draws inspiration and hope from the hundreds of young
Puerto Ricans, both in Puerto Rico and on the mainland, who are ready to
continue the struggle he and comrades of his generation have been waging.
The meeting was organized by the National Boricua Human Rights Network
Philadelphia to coincide with Grito de Lares, which marks the 1868
uprising when Puerto Ricans launched their fight for independence from
Spain. It was co-sponsored by community organizations and local elected
officials.
“We salute you for your efforts to decolonize Puerto Rico from the
wicked grip of the colonial rule of the U.S.,” said a message from nine
prisoners in Graterford, a maximum security prison outside Philadelphia,
read to close the meeting. “Your victory is an inspiration to all of us
living under oppressive and dehumanizing conditions.”
— RUTH ROBINETT
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