1 January, 2001
Press Release

Viequenses prepare for new round of civil disobedience actions

Spokespersons for the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques (CRDV) informed that the Navy has placed in the Post Office and other public areas, a warning for fishermen and other operators of small boats that military operations will take place from 1 until 4:00PM on the 2nd and 3rd of January. The Navy will carry out preparations - that generally include open burning and open detonation of bombs and other artifacts from previous maneuvers - for exercises announced for the second half of this month.

The Viequenses reported that during New Years Eve, members of the community dismantled hundred of feet of the military fence at Camp García to denounce the Navy´s intentions of continued bombing. Brigades of Viequenses took down large extensions of the perimeter fence that separates the military from the civilian area in the Eastern third of the island.

"This is an indication of things to come," signaled Ismael Guadalupe, one of the principal Viequense leaders. "This fence separates us from our patrimony, from the land where our parents and grandparents were born. We want to end the obstacles to our natural and healthy development. We will take back what by Natural Right belongs to us - our land, our right to live in Peace. Actions of Civil Disobedience will continue to block and denounce the next maneuvers," said Guadalupe.

Nilda Medina, another spokeswoman for the Vieques struggle, made an urgent call to persons who have not yet participated in civil disobedience acts, indicating that this is the momento to make the sacrifice to guarentee Peace for Vieques. Medina suggested that those interested in participating in the next incursions into the Navy's restricted zone here should call the CRDV at the Peace and Justice Camp at (787) 741-0716