[asia-apec 276] Christmas and New Year Clemency Appeal

[Julia Estrella by way of daga <daga at hk.super.net>]

		       Christmas and New Year Clemency Appeal

Dear Friends:

At this busy time of the year, I hesitate to write to you and ask you to
pick up a pen and write a short letter to Pres. Clinton asking for
Christmas/New Year release of the 15 Puerto Rican political prisoners in U.S.
custody, but I will anyway, hoping you will respond with a 'yes'! After you
have e-mailed, faxed, or called the White House, please send this message to
as many people you can think of globally--we hope there will be an
outpouring of  requests for releases which might lead to a Christmas
or New Year's release.

  The 15 prisoners were involved in the liberation struggle for independence
for Puerto Rico and were charged under the 'seditious conspiracy' law--the
same charge under which Nelson Mandela was incarcerated in South Africa
before his release.  President Carter released four Puerto Rican prisoners
when he was president so it is very possible that President Clinton can be
urged to release all Puerto Rican political prisoners.  Furthermore,  a
letter signed by  heads of national organizations and religious bodies, such as
Bishop Desmond Tutu, Dr. George Wald, Joe Ramos-Horta, Coretta Scott King,
Elise Boulding, Adolfo Perez Esquivel, Bishop Federico Pagura and 17 other
well known leaders has been sent to Pres. Clinton and Attorney General Janet
Reno, asking for unconditional amnesty for the Puerto Rican political
prisoners.  
 
Most U.S. citizens do not realize that there are political prisoners in the
United States.  We hope we can let our government know that the whole world
is spotlighting the human rights violations in the U.S.

Please e-mail or fax President Clinton at: president at whitehouse.gov or fax
(202-456-2461).  Janet Reno's fax number is (202)514-4507 and e-mail:
justice.usdoj.gov 

Mahalo.

Julia Matsui-Estrella, PACTS (tristar at pixi.com) 
If you can blind cc me, it will help us gauge the response.

Sample Letter

Dear President Clinton:

I write to urge you to grant the release of fiteen Puerto Rican political
prisoners (see below for list) in light of the lengthy sentences
they have already served, the advanced age and illness of many of these
prisoners' loved ones, and the compassion and humanitarian concern these
prisoners have demonstrated during their imprisonment.

Since the 1980s, they have been incarcerated throughout the U.S. for acts
and beliefs in favor of Puerto Rican independence.  They are serving
disproportionately long sentences of 15 to 105 years (averaging 65.4 years,
which is six times the average time served for murder although none of them
was charged with any act of bloodshed).  The majority of these prisoners
have already served over sixteen years in prison.  During their
imprisonment, they have been subjected to brutal treatment and have been
denied paroles because of their political beliefs.  In spite of this, they
have demonstrated compassion and humanitarian concern in their relationship
with other prisoners.

Many people throughout the U.S. and around the world have called for their
release.  

In this spirit of Christmas/New Year,  I urge you to help re-unite these
women and men with their loved ones by granting their immediate and
unconditional release.  Concern for human rights can begin at home and then
ripple throughout the world.

Sincerely,
(your name and address)

The prisoners' names and sentences are:
Luis Rosa, sentenced to 105 years
Ricardo Jimenez, sentenced to 98 years
Carmen Valentin, sentenced to 98 years
Alicia Rodriguez, sentenced to 85 years
Lucy Rodriguez, sentenced to 85 years
Adolpho Matos Antongiori, sentenced to 78 years
Carlos Alberto Torres, sentenced to 78 years
Oscar Lopez Rivera, sentenced to 70 years
Elizam Escobar, sentenced to 68 years
Dylcia Pagan, sentenced to 63 years
Juan Segarra Palmer, sentenced to 55 years
Alerto Rodriguez, sentenced to 35 years
Edwin Cortes, sentenced to 35 years
Alejandrina Torres, sentenced to 35 years
Antonio Camacho Negron, sentenced to 15 years