Activist who fired shots in the U.S. Congress dies

2. 8. 2010 / Fabiano Golgo

Lolita Lebron was a 34-year-old immigrant from Puerto Rico, when she decided to protest violently against the White House control of her country. In 1954, together with Rafael Cancel Miranda, Irving Flores and Andres Figueroa Cordero, Lolita entered the U.S. Capitol with automatic pistols and fired 30 shots altogether, while shouting "Viva Puerto Rico libre!". (HERE is a link to the original audio of the attacks.)

One American Congressman was shot in the chest and 4 other politicians were wounded, no one died. Police found a handwritten note in her purse, alongside some lipstick and stomachache tablets: "Before God and the world, my blood claims for the independence of Puerto Rico. My life I give for the freedom of my country. This is a cry for victory in our struggle for independence. The United States of America are betraying the sacred principles of mankind in their continuous subjugation of my country. I take responsible for all."

Lolita then spent 25 years from a 70-year sentence in prison, until president Jimmy Carter pardoned the whole group.

The Jones Act of 1917 established that all Puerto Ricans are born citizens of the United States. Residency of Puerto Rico, however, is a little different than amongst the 50 states. No residents of Puerto Rico pay federal income tax nor vote in presidential elections, but pay most other federal taxes, including Social Security. Their currency is the U.S.dollar, their mail system is the U.S. Mail, they are under the powers of U.S. Federal Courts, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. National and Air Guards, and the F.B.I. Over 50 Puerto Ricans have already died in Iraq and Afghanistan defending U.S. policy.

Vytisknout

Obsah vydání | Pondělí 2.8. 2010