[CPEO-MEF] Vieques

[bieke@coqui.net]

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Comite Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques
Apartado 1424   Vieques, PR  00765
(787) 741-0716   cel. 375-0525


For immediate release:                             Contact:

Sunday, October 1, 2000                         Kathryn Railsback: 
787-741-0716


CHRISTIAN PEACEMAKERS JOIN CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE,20


DEMONSTRATION ON VIEQUES ISLAND




Six members of a Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) delegation travelled 
from across the U.S. and Canada to join residents of Vieques Island, 
Puerto Rico in demanding an end to the U.S. Navy's bombing on the 
island. Two members participated in a civil disobedience action by 
entering the U.S. Naval Ammunition Storage Depot on the western end of 
Vieques. Fifty-five people who entered the base have reportedly been 
arrested and are being detained at the Guaynabo Federal Prison in San 
Juan.


Other delegation members provided support and joined in a demonstration 
and march with approximately 5,000 other participants. The demonstration 
participiants, who were primarily from Vieques Island, included 
clergymembers, teachers, attorneys, federal employees, and numerous 
other civic organizations.


"We're going in because human presence stops the bombing,"said 
delegation member Cliff Kindy, explaining his reasons for entering the 
base. "The Navy still hasn't heard the voice of the Puerto Rican people, 
who are saying, 'Not one more bomb, not one more minute.'"


Angela Freeman explained that she was entering the base out of Christian 
love for, and in solidarity with the people of Vieques. "I believe it is 
important for Americans and Canadians to examine their roles in the 
destruction of Vieques," she said.


The CPT coordinated its stay in Vieques with the Committee for the 
Rescue and Development of Vieques and the Peace and Justice Resistance 
Camp, which is located directly across from the entrance to the Navy's 
bombing range at Camp Garcia. The group also had the support in San Juan 
of the Caribbean Project for Peace and Justice.


CPT, a faith-based organization, sends short-term peacemaker delegations 
into a variety of crisis settings around the world. CPT offers an 
organized, nonviolent alternative to war and other forms of lethal 
inter-group conflict. Delegation members provide encouragement for 
individuals and communitites experiencing violence, challenge violations 
of human rights, and promote active nonviolence as a means of settling 
disputes.



Committee for the

Rescue and Development of Vieques

PO Box 1424    Vieques, Puerto Rico  00765

(787) 741-0716

Comunicado de Prensa Contacto

Domingo, 1 de octubre, 2000 Kathryn Railsback: 787-741-0716


EQUIPO CRISTIANO EN ACCION POR LA PAZ SE UNE A LA DESOBEDIENCIA CIVIL, 
MARCHA-CONCENTRACION EN VIEQUES


Seis miembros del Equipo Cristiano en AcciOn por la Paz (CPT) viajaron 
de diversos puntos en los EU y CanadA para unirse al reclamo de los 
residentes de Vieques, Puerto Rico, para el cese inmediato y permanente 
del bombardeo de la Marina de Guerra de EU en la isla. Dos miembros 
participaron en una acciOn de desobediencia civil al entrar a la 
Facilidad de Almacenaje de Municiones Navales en la parte oeste de 
Vieques. Cincuenta y cinco personas que entraron fueron arrestadas y 
estAn detenidas en la CArcel Federal de Guaynabo.


Otros miembros de la delegaciOn de la CPT proveyeron apoyo y se 
unieron a una manifestaciOn de aproximadamente 5,000 personas en 
Vieques. Los manifestantes, principalmente de Vieques, incluyeron 
lideres religiosos, maestros, abogados, empleados federales y 
representantes de una variedad de organizaciones cEDvicas.20


"Entraremos porque la presencia humana paraliza el bombardeo," dijo 
Cliff Kindy, miembro de la delegaciOn, para explicar porque entrO a 
la base. "La Marina todavEDa no ha escuchado la voz del pueblo 
puertorriqueF1o quienes dicen, "Ni una bomba mas, ni un minuto 
mas."


Angela Freeman explicO que entraba a la base motivada por el amor 
cristiano por, y en solidaridad con el pueblo de Vieques. "Es importante 
que tanto los canadienses como los estadounidenses examinen sus papeles 
en la destrucciOn de Vieques," dijo.


El CPT coordinO su visita a Vieques con el Comite Pro Rescate y 
Desarrollo de Vieques y el Campamento Justicia y Paz, ubicado 
directamente frente a la entrada de Camp GarcEDa, la zona de bombardeo 
de la Marina. El grupo contO tambien con la ayuda en San Juan del 
Proyecto CaribeF1o de Justicia y Paz.


CPT es una organizaciOn basada en la fe que envia delegaciones 
pacifista a una variedad de situaciones de crisis en distintas partes 
del mundo. CPT ofrece una alternativa organizada y no violenta a la 
guerra y otras formas de conflicto letal entre grupos. Miembros de las 
delegaciones proveen motivaciOn para individuos y para comunidades que 
experimentan la violencia, retando la violaciOn de los derechos 
humanos, y promueven la no violencia activa para resolver conflictos.

Robert L. Rabin Siegal
Comite Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques
Apartado 1424   Vieques, PR  00765
(787) 741-0716   cel. 375-0525

A1FUERA LA MARINA DE VIEQUES!


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