Praise for Oscar Lpez Rivera
The story of Puerto Rican nationalist Oscar Lpez Rivera told in this book is a story of the lengths to which our government will go to punish and silence voices of liberation. But it is also the story of the courage of one man who perseveres in his hunger and thirst for justice. His witnessover thirty-one years in the worst prison circumstances the federal government could inflict on himwill inspire everyone who comes to know him.
Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, founding president, Pax Christi USA
Between Torture and Resistance is a narrative about years of courage, love for ones people, sufferingoffering that most precious thing we can count on during our path through the world: the offering of life. Listening to Oscars voice in this book makes something clear that one such as Nelson Mandela would know well: his sense of liberty has not been extinguished by the jailers bars or the torturers on call. Our dear Luis Nieves Falcn, exemplary servant and tireless worker for the freedom of our homeland, hasin this bookcontinued Oscars struggle against imperialism. We cannot underestimate the powers of the narrative, of the word, that above all provides strength for new generations. Between Torture and Resistance is such a book and should be read by all people who cherish freedom and dignity.
Celina Romany-Siaca, former president, Puerto Rican Bar Association
With over thirty-one years behind bars for the political thought-crime of seditious conspiracy, Puerto Ricos Oscar Lpez Rivera spotlights an urgent challenge to U.S. jurisprudence; he is supported by politicians and civic leaders from every political party and sector of Puerto Rican society. Between Torture and Resistance presents basic background on the man and his case, and should be read by anyone concerned with aligning U.S. legal practice with international human rights standards and principles.
Soffiyah Ellijah, executive director, Correctional Association of New York; former deputy director, Harvard Law School Criminal Justice Institute
Martin Luther King Jr. talked about change, defining it as not rolling on the wheels of inevitability but coming through continuous struggle. He also invited us to straighten our backs and work for our freedom. On these pages we will find the story of a man who has dedicated all his life to the struggle for the freedom of his country and, from that commitment, straightened his back with dignity, generosity, and spiritual strength. It is a powerful testimony, born from the cold bars of imprisonment, as a sign of todays injustice and lack of freedom and respect for human rights. Between Torture and Resistance is necessary reading for a reality check of todays silenced oppression and the profound faith in justice and peace, even in the context of the worst adversities. We know that Oscar, and all of us, will be free at last.
Rev. Angel L. Rivera-Agosto, executive secretary, Puerto Rico Council of Churches
Oscar Lpez Rivera: Between Torture and Resistance
Edited by Luis Nieves Falcn
2013 Luis Nieves Falcn
This edition 2013 PM Press
ISBN: 978-1-60486-685-8
LCCN: 2012913622
Cover: John Yates/stealworks.com
Interior: Antumbra Design/antumbradesign.org
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
PM Press
PO Box 23912
Oakland, CA 94623
www.pmpress.org
Printed in the USA on recycled paper by the Employee Owners of Thomson-Shore in Dexter, Michigan. www.thomsonshore.com
CONTENTS
PREFACE
Matt Meyer
This small book, pieced together from decades of collected letters, commentary, speeches, and leaflets, is a window behind the bars, a squinted look through the blurry bulletproof glass panes of prison visiting rooms. It is the story of a man with a big heartfor his family and for his people. It was put together as a tapestry of sorts by sociologist, educator, lawyer and political-cultural icon Luis Nieves Falcn, whose own life has been a testament to poetic, passionate, strategic, and steadfast commitment to justice, peace, and liberation for the peoples and islands of Puerto Rico. It is a testimony, a biography, and a call to action. It is intended unapologetically to inspire the active engagement of readers: to understand Oscars motivations and mindset, and to demand his immediate, unconditional release.
After the Foreword and Introductions, which serve as political overviews of the scope and international significance of the man and his case, the text swings back in time, to a review of Oscars life experiences, as narrated by Nieves Falcn-as-editor, putting Oscars early political life into historical context. As the first chapter takes us from the fields of Vietnam to the streets of Chicago to a decision to go underground, we are led into a short exposition of what clandestinity must have meant for such a vibrant and active leader. The chapter on court proceedings that followed Oscars capture contains quotes from the court record, and the statement penned and spoken by Oscar as part of his reflection on imprisonment. A contribution by noted Puerto Rican poet Carlos Quiles follows.
The remaining three chapters of the book on torture, the nature of life behind bars as constant struggle, and on outlooks for the future are woven together in a rough chronological and thematic order, primarily through excerpts of letters written by and to Oscar, from his brother, sister, daughter, granddaughter, and other close supporters. We have provided exact references to these letters whenever possible and have emphasized the content of those letters rather than the names of their recipients. Oscar and Luis together have crafted the canvas of words and images that bring us to the present. Oscar himself reviewed the final manuscript of this English edition to smooth the edges of a work that is part postcard from prison, part lyrical prose.
In addition, the book was conceived of as a volume to be filled with images: of photos taken in cramped visiting rooms, of the lush colors of Oscars paintings and portraits, and of Oscars early life before his imprisonment. Together with the text, they work to bring us closer to the man who has given his life for freedom. Now we must work together, weaving our own art and poetry and political and economic pressures, to ensure that Oscar too may be free.
FOREWORD
Archbishop Desmond M. tutu, nobel peace Laureate
When I traveled throughout Africa as a representative of the World Council of Churches in the early 1970s, I witnessed firsthand the ravages of colonialism across diverse lands and conditions; we worked hand-in-hand with those struggling for complete and lasting independence from the indignities of being treated as less than fully human in their own lands. Throughout our struggle in South Africa, it was clear that true freedom meant not just the ability to vote or choose ones own political representatives, but the ability to build ones own schools, to have accessible health care and jobs, to have clean air and water and energy in the control of the communities that utilize them. Of course, true freedom and independence also includes a free and fair judicial system, with responsible and accountable policing, fair legal process, and reasoned judgment and sentencing.
