Oscar López: ‘Colonialism is a crime against humanity’

PHILADELPHIA — “Colonialism is a crime against humanity,” Oscar López Rivera — framed up and imprisoned by the U.S. government for 36 years for his activities promoting independence for Puerto Rico — told an enthusiastic crowd of several hundred supporters at Taller Puertorriqueño here Sept. 18. It was exactly four months and one day since he won his release from prison.

“This is a very humbling and very moving moment. I am profoundly grateful to all of you,” he said, referring to everyone in Philadelphia and beyond who helped win his freedom. “My honor and dignity are stronger than the day I was put in prison.”

“This is a moment of crisis in Puerto Rico, a very, very critical moment,” López said. The fight to decolonize Puerto Rico is the only way to make sure it “will be a free, independent, strong nation.”

“We don’t need anything else but to act united, and we can do it independent of our ideological differences, independent of religious preferences, even in spite of prejudices we have,” he said. “We can do it because we can transcend those few things that prevent us from coming together.”

López said he draws inspiration and hope from the hundreds of young Puerto Ricans, both in Puerto Rico and on the mainland, who are ready to continue the struggle he and comrades of his generation have been waging.

The meeting was organized by the National Boricua Human Rights Network Philadelphia to coincide with Grito de Lares, which marks the 1868 uprising when Puerto Ricans launched their fight for independence from Spain. It was co-sponsored by community organizations and local elected officials.

“We salute you for your efforts to decolonize Puerto Rico from the wicked grip of the colonial rule of the U.S.,” said a message from nine prisoners in Graterford, a maximum security prison outside Philadelphia, read to close the meeting. “Your victory is an inspiration to all of us living under oppressive and dehumanizing conditions.”

— RUTH ROBINETT