11:12 am By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Puerto Rico · 1 Comment
16 Apr 2008
Cross posted from The Latin Americanist.
Just this morning, a Puerto Rican independence activist was payed a not so friendly visit by the FBI. Miguel Viqueira was getting ready to leave his home to go to work when armed FBI agents showed up, insulting and threatening Viqueira .
At 8:10 this morning, the FBI continued it’s witch hunt by approaching Tania Delgado Soto as she left her home in Rio Piedras.
In both cases the FBI left when the individuals asserted their legal right not to speak to agents without a warrant and without legal counsel.
These very recent examples of the continued harassment of Puerto Rican activist demonstrates just how the U.S. federal government operates with regards to the Puerto Rican people and those determined to fight for the island’s sovereignty. People are reminded that they have no legal responsibility to speak to federal agents, that when they are approached they should seek legal counsel, and report all incidents of harassment so that the Feds know that they are being watched.
Edited to add that now radio reports are coming in saying that up to four people have been harassed by armed FBI agents. There is also an unconfirmed report of an arrest. Information will be updated as I get the information.
Gracias to Jo Boriken for the information.
9:38 am By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Activism| Politics| Puerto Rico · Comments Off
8 Feb 2008
>While some people forget that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, the U.S. government has zero problem cracking down on those who struggle for the independence of the colony. Yesterday the FBI announced the arrest of one of three Macheteros in relation to a 1983 Connecticut robbery.
11:56 am By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Activism| Justice| New York City| Puerto Rico · 1 Comment
31 Dec 2007
Targeting activists who promote the independence of Puerto Rico isn’t something new but it is no less concerning especially when it hits close to home. Hector Rivera, a founder of the Welfare Poets and others were subpoenaed to appear before a Federal Grand jury investigating the Puerto Rican Independence Movement in general, and in particular, the Ejercito Popular Boricua (EPB: Popular Boricua Army) aka the Macheteros.
Tania Frontera, Christopher Torres and Julio Pabon Jr. are scheduled to appear before a Federal Grand Jury on January 11, 2008. Hector Rivera,co-founder of the cultural institution The Welfare Poets, is also expected to be served with a subpoena to appear on that day. In the past, due to the fact that some pro-independence activists have traditionally refused to receive the subpoenas from the Grand Jury or to respond to its questions, many have ended up behind bars.
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