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    Vol.62/No.44           December 7, 1998 
 
 
Protests: Free Puerto Rican Political Prisoners  
Nearly 40 people protested outside the Federal Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas, November 21, demanding freedom for Puerto Rican political prisoners and independence for the U.S. colony. One of the 15 prisoners, Luis Rosa, is held at Leavenworth. Protesters traveled from Chicago, Des Moines, and Lawrence, Kansas. The National Committee to Free Puerto Rican Prisoners of War and Political Prisoners along with the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee organized the action. Peltier, a fighter for Native American rights, is currently serving two life sentences in Leavenworth on framed-up charges. Above, sign reads: "Let them out now!" Another action took place in Danbury, Connecticut, the same day. About 30 protesters marched down Main Street there demanding the unconditional release of Alejandrina Torres, who is jailed at the federal penitentiary in Danbury. Manuel González, a worker from Southington, Connecticut, said he came to express outrage at the "hypocrisy of the U.S. government, which marches around the world preaching freedom of expression while denying Puerto Ricans those rights for 100 years." A vigil at the United Nations December 10 will publicize the demand that Washington free the prisoners.

 
 
 
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