We were going to work with the dog rescue organization, ARF Rincon, but the director had to reschedule because she was delayed at the San Juan Airport where she was sending a few dogs to the States. So we took a trip to the University of Mayaguez and experience a little of life as a student in Puerto Rico. Alex the director of Planet 1 attended his first two years of college here before moving to the US. He told us that class credits were only about $35 each at that time. Our first stop was lunch at a roadside food truck. These food trucks have the best food.
| When we came back in the afternoon we walked around the town. We came upon an American Flag on the wall of a building with looked like graffiti painted over it. It read "Free Oscar Now." Several of us thought it was cool and took photos of it, but we were curious to know who Oscar is so we Googled it. |
12 of those years were in total isolation. He is now
72 years old. Oscar was accused of seditious conspiracy and sentenced
to 70 years in prison for his involvement in support of freedom and independence for Puerto Rico. Oscar moved to Chicago from Puerto Rico when he was 14. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1965 and sent to Vietnam. He is a decorated war veteran. After returning he joined the fight against racist discrimination in housing and employment, for bilingual education, against police brutality, and for the independence of Puerto Rico. Oscar has been denied parole and cannot apply again until 2026.
I am not sure what to make of all of this yet, but it seems to be excessive and I am interested in learning more about Oscar and the United States justice system, particularly concerning why Oscar is being held for so long while others were released. If you are interested, view this interview with Oscar Lopez on May 31, 2013. http://www.democracynow.org/2013/5/31/oscar_lpez_rivera_after_32_years People in Puerto Rico and the US are asking for his release including politicians and there was a recent demonstration in New York in May. People want Obama to pardon him.
72 years old. Oscar was accused of seditious conspiracy and sentenced
to 70 years in prison for his involvement in support of freedom and independence for Puerto Rico. Oscar moved to Chicago from Puerto Rico when he was 14. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1965 and sent to Vietnam. He is a decorated war veteran. After returning he joined the fight against racist discrimination in housing and employment, for bilingual education, against police brutality, and for the independence of Puerto Rico. Oscar has been denied parole and cannot apply again until 2026.
I am not sure what to make of all of this yet, but it seems to be excessive and I am interested in learning more about Oscar and the United States justice system, particularly concerning why Oscar is being held for so long while others were released. If you are interested, view this interview with Oscar Lopez on May 31, 2013. http://www.democracynow.org/2013/5/31/oscar_lpez_rivera_after_32_years People in Puerto Rico and the US are asking for his release including politicians and there was a recent demonstration in New York in May. People want Obama to pardon him.
Across the street from the "Free Oscar Now" painting is a cemetery. Some of the people in our group wanted to walk through it.