Cries of ‘Free Oscar López!’ fill Times Square

Militant/Maggie Trowe

NEW YORK — An energy-filled Christmas Day action at Times Square here demanded the U.S. government free Oscar López. The parranda — a traditional Puerto Rican Christmas celebration with music and lots of noise — was organized by 35 Women for Oscar. López has been jailed for more than 35 years on frame-up charges of “seditious conspiracy” for fighting for independence for the U.S. colony of Puerto Rico.

More than 80 participants sang traditional Christmas songs with lyrics changed to demand that President Barack Obama release López before his term ends Jan. 20. In San Juan, Puerto Rico, more than 100 people joined 35 Women for Oscar for a silent protest.

Just days before, two Spanish-language dailies, El Diario in New York and La Opinión in Los Angeles, published an interview with López. “I believe that independence is the only solution to the crisis that we have as a people,” López said when asked if he had changed his views in prison. “We are colonized and don’t have the power to resolve our own problems.”

Free Oscar López contingents will take part in Three Kings Day parades in New York and Chicago Jan. 6, which is also López’s 74th birthday.

On Jan. 11 East Coast supporters of his fight for freedom will be protesting in front of the White House in Washington. For more information visit: www.boricuahumanrights.org.

— SARA LOBMAN