[CPEO-MEF] Vieques Update (English Version)

[bieke@coqui.net]

Vieques.  6 PM, Abolition of Slavery Day, March 22, 2000.

Dear Friends  in Solidarity with Vieques,

Warm and fraternal greetings from "La Isla Nena."  We remain alert to 
continuous information received during the past week concerning possible 
actions against our camps  by Puerto Rican riot police and/or U.S. military 
forces.  In the past three days we have seen military troops practicing 
moving people between helicopters and vans  all of this on the grounds of 
Camp Garcia, visible through binoculars from our Peace and Justice camp  in 
front of the gate of that base.  Since last week the Navy has sent military 
police to the area near the gate to harass the Peace and Justice camp and 
add to the climate of anxiety.

Today we saw members of the Riot Police in Vieques  probably in reaction to 
today's activity planned by the Socialist Front  and we received news of 
the arrival of more military personnel to Camp Garcia via 
helicopter.  According to other sources, the military brought a gate built 
in Roosevelt Roads Naval Base in Ceiba to block access to the buffer zone 
where the Peace and Justice Camp is located.  This information contains a 
great deal of speculation; nonetheless, we remain alert and take necessary 
precautions in preparation for a possible  intervention.

We are in constant communication with the resistance camps in the bombing 
range.  So far all is calm. We are requesting all of you to keep informed 
through the community organizations  Vieques Rescue and Development 
Committee, Vieques Women's Alliance, etc.  or via contacts with people from 
the encampments.

DO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO RUMORS ABOUT ARRESTS!!

Today a delegation of 50 teachers, parents and students from the Ramon E. 
Betances School in Cayey, visited the Peace and Justice Camp and donated 20 
boxes of provisions.  This school has been operating an educational program 
in solidarity with Vieques for the past few weeks.

The Socialist Front held an activity to commemorate  Abolition of Slavery 
Day, in recognition of the work of the Peace and Justice Encampment, and 
some fine picketing went on in front of the gate to Camp Garcia.

This past week we had the pleasure of hosting a delegation from the United 
Church of Christ, USA, including the president and other officials of their 
national organization, which has 1.5 million members in the United States.

We are very grateful for all of your expressions and actions of solidarity 
during these many months of civil disobedience, and through long years of 
struggle for peace in Vieques.

In struggle, in solidarity,

Robert Rabin
Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques

(This message is available in Spanish.)


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