Congressional Representatives Charles Rangel, José Serrano, Nydia Velázquez from New York, Luis Gutierrez from Chicago, Governor of Puerto Rico Anibal Acevedo Vilá and Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Luis Fortuño have called for hearings and an independent investigation in response to the FBI’s military-style assault and seizures in the homes and places of work of citizens who favor independence of Puerto Rico, as well as the pepper-spraying of members of the Puerto Rican press who sought to cover the events that happened nearly two weeks ago. In a press release issued today Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito declared:

We are 8 million U.S. citizens living throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, whose sons and daughters have served this country with distinction in all its wars since 1917. We have a right to know on what grounds the FBI determined to bring the War on Terrorism to the homes and places of work of Puerto Ricans who favor the Island’s independence?

On Wednesday, February 22, 2006, 2:00PM, at the Julia de Burgos Cultural Center, 1680 Lexington Avenue (bet. 105th & 106th streets), elected officials and community residents will convene in support of the call for an independent investigation. Congressional Representatives Charles Rangel and José Serrano will attend the forum to provide an update on the efforts being undertaken at the Federal level. NYS legislators: Assemblyman José Rivera and State Senator José M. Serrano will also participate. In addition, members of the community will have the opportunity to make statements and ask questions in response to a video of live footage of the events of the FBI’s actions in Puerto Rico on February 10th. The event will conclude at 6:00PM.