The Militant - Dec. 6, 1999 -- 'No more bombs, no more missiles,' say 300 protesters demanding U.S. out of Vieques

Vol.63/No.43 December 6, 1999

'No more bombs, no more missiles,' say 300 protesters demanding U.S. out of Vieques
{Young Socialists Around the World column}

This column is written and edited by the Young Socialists (YS), an international organization of young wokrers, students, and other youth fighting for socialism. For more information about the YS write to: Young Socialists, 3284 23rd St., San Francisco, CA 94110. Tel: (415) 824-1429. E-mail: 105162.605@compuserve.com

BY HANS ARRIETA AND ELENA TATE
NEW YORK— "Vieques logically belongs to the people of Vieques, and it is their right to take back what was once theirs. In the name of Puerto Rico, we will show that we can fight Yankee imperialism when we are united," said Awilda Rodríguez, a student at Hunter College. She was one of 300 people in front the federal building in Manhattan November 19 protesting the U.S. Navy's presence in Vieques. It was a very spirited protest, called by Todo Nueva York con Vieques (All New York with Vieques) and featured music, chanting, and flags of different countries, especially of Puerto Rico.

The majority of the protesters were young people, including an organized presence of about 30 high school students from El Puente Academy. The night before, there was a candle-light processional in New York for the same cause.

Popular chants included, "No more missiles, no more bombs!" and "Vieques, si! Marina, no!" ("Vieques, yes! Navy, no!"). The U.S. Navy has had a huge presence in the Puerto Rican island of Vieques since World War II, and uses the island and its surrounding waters for bombing practice. Many people at the action were against this use of the Puerto Ricans' land as a naval base, and as a location to practice invasions to be used against other countries. Rodríguez commented, "The Navy has a terrible effect on Vieques because the people cannot fish in their waters, and a big number of residents survive on fishing. They have also lost their land and their crops, which they depend on to live. They are fighting for that which is theirs. I feel very proud to be here, defending what is ours and fighting for a cause that makes us more united. I am ready to get rid of Yankee imperialism, that has Americanized our island."

Anamaría Amador-Miranda, an exchange student from Puerto Rico who is studying at Hunter College, said she had taken part in demonstrations in Puerto Rico in support of the telephone workers' strike and in protest of school budget cuts. "During the actions, I felt very strong, and I believe that I was doing a lot for my cause. I think that this protest will be effective in terms of putting international pressure on the Navy to leave Vieques."

Another exchange student, who preferred that his name not be used, said, "I think that some decision must be made regarding the political future of Puerto Rico, because the effects have been too harsh on the people. I think the best way out would definitely be to make Puerto Rico free of U.S. domination. As for statehood, I don't think it's possible, because the U.S. government only wants it as they have it now, to control it and use it." The struggle for independence "is a long way, but it has to start somewhere, and it has started and it has been moving for awhile. It's hard, but it's not impossible," he declared.

Not only those participating in the action were supporters of the fight to free Vieques. José Manuel, a passerby who stopped to watch, said he was proud to be Puerto Rican, and wanted the Navy to leave.

A teacher from El Puente Academy, Martín Perna, said that he came with a delegation from his school that was organized on only a day's notice. "I'm here even though I'm Mexican, but U.S. imperialism must be fought wherever it is. Many of my students and co-workers are Puerto Rican, and we need to support each other."

Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home