16 thoughts on “The Nationalists: Heroes or Outlaws?”
Lolita recuerda ataque al Congreso
Lolita recuerda ataque al Congreso
Por: Maricelis Rivera Santos
Redactora ñ EL VOCERO/1ro de marzo,2001
En el cuadragesimo septimo aniversario del ataque al Congreso, la lider nacionalista Lolita Lebron pidio al pueblo que recuerde como heroes a sus dos compañeros de lucha, Andres Figueroa Cordero e Irving Flores Rodriguez. Lebron manifestÛ que los fenecidos Figueroa Cordero y Flores Rodriguez, ofrendaron sus vidas por la libertad de la patria luego de cumplir largas penas carcelarias en prisiones federales, al igual que ella y Rafael Cancel Miranda.
El primero de marzo de 1954 los cuatro nacionalistas irrumpieron una sesiÛn en el hemiciclo e hirieron a cinco congresistas estadounidenses en un reclamo por la independencia del pais. Lebron comando el grupo luego de recibir una orden del presidente del Partido Nacionalista, Pedro Albizu Campos, para que llamara la atencion sobre el problema del coloniaje. Los cuatro puertorriqueños fueron arrestados y cumplieron sentencias en prisiones federales hasta los indultos que concedio el ex presidente Jimmy Carter en 1977 y 1979. Figueroa Lugo murio poco despues del perdon presidencial en su casa de Aguada.
“Nosotros los puertorriqueños estamos comprometidos a honrar y conmemorar a todos los hombres y mujeres que han dado la vida por la libertad de Puerto Rico”, manifestÛ LebrÛn en entrevista telefonica con EL VOCERO. Menciono que ambos estan en el cielo, donde junto a Albizu Campos, Blanca Canales y otros heroes esperan la redenciÛn de la nacion puertorriqueña.
Recordo que la gesta y los sacrificios de sus compañeros fenecidos son un hito de la historia de Puerto Rico y que deben recibir el debido reconocimiento del pueblo.
Lebron menciono que en los proximos tres años cuando se cumpla el cincuentenario del ataque al Congreso se debe realizar una gran acto en honor a los dos lideres nacionalistas. DestacÛ tambien a los independentistas que participaron en el fallido atentado contra el presidente Harry S. Truman y la Revuelta Nacionalista de Jayuya. “Yo sin embargo, espero que podamos liberarnos por medios pacificos sin tener que volver a utilizar las armas. Espero que podamos adelantar la causa libertaria por medios pacÌficos como se hizo en los actos de desobediencia civil en Vieques”, señalo Lebron al reflexionar sobre su posicion, 47 años despues del ataque. No obstante, sostuvo que aun Puerto Rico es un pueblo colonizado donde impera el poder del Congreso norteamericano.
Esta informacion es cortesia de:
Comite de Nueva York Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño
(212) 330-8258
March 1 and the attack on Congress
For me, the photo of Lolita Lebron and two of the other three Nationalists which was in the front page of the New York Times is still an overwhelmingly powerful image. It must be one of the all time lasting images of the 20th Century–wherever you are from. Consider what the U.S. is and what fortitude and conviction it took for this woman and three men to go into Congress and fire their statement and guns at the leadership of the leading imperial nation of the world–¡Que Viva Puerto Rico Libre! Pure inspiration and greatness of spirit.
Our Valiant Nationalist Patriots
Compatriotas:
The fact that the members of the Nationalist Party were criminalized by the U.S. colonial government does not mean that they were not brave heroes. Our Nationalist patriots were brave men and women of great honor who sacrificed property, liberty and life to defend our nation from those who intended to consolidate the colonial goverment in Puerto Rico. I deeply admire their valiant actions.
OUTLAWS
I think it is crazy to call these people “Heros” they represent such a small majority. But if most of PR wanted independence and freedom from the “colonial” power, then just put your people into the proper elected positions
HEROES
Because they took a stand to defend our people as a distinct and separate entity–that is, no other countries colony or possession–they must by all historical and international standards be considered heroes. They would only be seen as outlaws by the colonial power that controls Puerto Rico and which they dared challenge morally and politically. And they continue to do so to this day. They are indisputably heroes. Because of Puerto Rico’s situation, Puerto Ricans do not ever use the word traitor or treason against the state of Puerto Rico. But the reality is that those who would give up Puerto Rico to any colonial power, serving the interests of the colonial power and not of Puerto Rico, should be considered traitors. If the Nationalists are heroes, you see, then who or what is the PNP and the PPD. It calls all of this into question.
RE: HEROES
Then put your people, your “HEROES”, into office and gain your independence, But as far as I can see it, and over 90 percent of PR (PNP and PPD voters) they are outlaws, because they are fighting against the very thing the rest of PR wants, an association or the extrem, statehood.
RE: RE: HEROES
Actually, you are mistaken, there are streets in Puerto Rico named after Albizu Campos. Also, they are recognized in Puerto Rico generally as men and women to be venerated for willing to lay down their lives for the Puerto Rican nation, however much their politics may be distorted or misrepresented. In addition, one has only to reflect as far back as the hearings this past summer when Lolita Lebron testified–and as we say in New York–“was representing.” Those who saw her testimony–whatever their political leanings–had to respect and admire how she held forth before Congressmen who wanted to basically give her and the Puerto Rican people short shrift.
These men and women, the Nationalists, represent the best of the Puerto Rican people. They are courageous men and women of conviction. Not political careerist, not looking for the expedient, and only seeing the practical in terms of feeding the spirit.
If you look back at an earlier discussion here which was quite fascinating. There was a discussion of the two-party system as a form of political stastis. It is a structure that can at once provide stability and at another stagnation. It is a system that effectively neutralizes and marginalizes innovation and resolution in the service of the status quo and incumbent interests. So your naive albeit lay observation about the electorate really doesn’t substantiate very much since the PNP can not garner more than 40 – 50% of the electorate and actually has been losing ground–as in this last election. Hey take a peak at the new section called AQUI Y ALLA. YOU GUYS AT PRDREAM ARE DOING A GOOD JOB OF INFORMING US!
RE: RE: RE: HEROES (Viva PR LIBRE!)
Vaya! Los nacionalístas son héroes!! No hay duda en eso.
The nationalists are heroes no doubt! They fought for a cause, they fought for their people, they fought for their nation. If you call them outlaws, you might as well call G. Washington an outlaw. He fought and killed for a cause. We, the Puerto Ricans, are fighting for the same thing he did. It just amazes me how these damn Americans forget their history and are such hipocrits. They fought for independence, yet when we try to do it, we are classified as outlaws. The only difference between Washington and Albizu Campos is that Washington used guns and bombs, Albizu Campos mainly used his mouth and mind. So, who was the real criminal!?
Anyways, I think nacionalístas and independentistas are heroes all the way. The real, true boricuas are independentistas by heart. Think about it, some of the best Boricua poets were independentistas. Lola, Jose de Diego, Rafael Hernandez, and many more. Those who wrote about the patria were truelly independentistas, some probably never stated it, but there is no doubt in my mind that they were.
We may not have much power in politics, but in culture and history, we, the independentistas stand out as un verdadero Boricua de corazon!
RE: RE: RE: RE: HEROES (Viva PR LIBRE!)
I know my history, I am tired of PR always complaining about the colonial power, and how much Uncle Sam takes advantage of the poor underclass second rate citizens of PR. What I don’t see is PR government taking steps to reduce it’s dependence on the U.S. I do see billions of assistance comming into PR and what I see is sub-standard roads, inadequate water, electricity infrastructure, substandard housing for the poor. If your nationalist are so important why not have a library named after them,,oh wait, does PR have any Public Libraries? besides the ones at the schools? I was born in a isolated farming town in the midwest, it has a poulation of 65,000 they have three public libraries and one that is on wheels(for elderly) yet in PR I ask where is the library, and no one can tell me.
who are you asking?
sorry that you’re tired. what is your point that P.R. is indebted to the u.s. so we should let them take our women and our balls because they created an infrastructure that would serve the dual purpose of providing for a welfare state for their businesses and a quick trajectory for their military that we could also benefit from as an exclusive market for american products, military training and drug testing.
so all workers should never strike and never try to advance their cause because of the paved roads, highways, public transportation and public schools set up to train us to be better workers and consumers. this is your enlightened reasoning broadly applied to even americans. you’re right to be tired.
RECANT
Sorry, I would like to recant the statement about the library, there are many Public libraries
RE: RECANT
you obviously are having a dialogue with yourself. check out the timeline in LA PATRIA section of this website. a little new history can’t hurt.
Masacre de Ponce
The Masacre de Ponce occurred March 21, 1937. It was Palm Sunday. The Nationalists had planned a peaceful demonstration and commemoration of the Abolition of Slavery in Puerto Rico. Winship overturned the mayor of Ponce Jose Tormos Diego’s decision that gave the Nationalists permission and attacked them when they insisted on having the event. Who truly are the outlaws here. And whose law are we expected to follow? The laws of our land or the laws of the colonizer?
RE: RE: HEROES
Then Washington, Jefferson and the rest of “your” people are also outlaws by your own definition. After all, they fought against a continued association against England. One country’s hero is another’s traitor.
The only difference here is – “your” people won their independence. How odd that the US does not follow it’s own precepts concerning the right to self-determination concerning other countries.
To advocate that we simply put “our” people in power denies the reality of the industrial-political system’s structure in the US and its interactions with other countries. It also dismisses the views of other’s as not worthy of note or respect. It is exactly this type of ignorance which continues the debacle and the slaughter on the island of Vieques. Denial of the use of native land by the indigenous people is the first test of colonialistic behavior as defined under the UN Charter and Declaration of Human Rights. You simply cannot analyze a situation without understanding the basics of the dynamics which are involved.
Furthermore, the referral of your “knowing” what the majority of the people on the island of Puerto Rico wants and how you think they view the actions of others smacks of Big Brother mentality knowing what’s good for everyone else(overt racism judging by your postings?). Such arrogance is exactly what forms the foundation of resentment, opposition and, ultimately, rebellion. Manifest Destiny has been proven to be a failed doctrine based on economic greed and brutality. Ask any Native American forced to live in sub-standard conditions by your people. Speak for yourself only, do not presume to be the voice of an entire people unless, of course, “my” people put you in charge. God forbid…
By the way, I’m a former USAF Colonel so don’t try throwing mere words at people with different opinions (I’ll guess you’ll think I’m also a “traitor” right?) .
Rather, instead go through the trouble of learning the history of BOTH sides before you make an intelligent, credible and defendable determination. There is a great deal of history most people ignore and most certainly do NOT teach in the American school system. History is written by the victors.
You may be surprised by what you find.
I know I was.
who are our heroes today?
i want to know who our heroes are today?
heroes, obviamente. One that dares ask such a question is only giving proof of his or her ignorance. People who are tortured, encarcerated, killed or whose family’s are persecuted only stand out as heroes, that’s why they are venerated as such.
Lolita recuerda ataque al Congreso
Lolita recuerda ataque al Congreso
Por: Maricelis Rivera Santos
Redactora ñ EL VOCERO/1ro de marzo,2001
En el cuadragesimo septimo aniversario del ataque al Congreso, la lider nacionalista Lolita Lebron pidio al pueblo que recuerde como heroes a sus dos compañeros de lucha, Andres Figueroa Cordero e Irving Flores Rodriguez. Lebron manifestÛ que los fenecidos Figueroa Cordero y Flores Rodriguez, ofrendaron sus vidas por la libertad de la patria luego de cumplir largas penas carcelarias en prisiones federales, al igual que ella y Rafael Cancel Miranda.
El primero de marzo de 1954 los cuatro nacionalistas irrumpieron una sesiÛn en el hemiciclo e hirieron a cinco congresistas estadounidenses en un reclamo por la independencia del pais. Lebron comando el grupo luego de recibir una orden del presidente del Partido Nacionalista, Pedro Albizu Campos, para que llamara la atencion sobre el problema del coloniaje. Los cuatro puertorriqueños fueron arrestados y cumplieron sentencias en prisiones federales hasta los indultos que concedio el ex presidente Jimmy Carter en 1977 y 1979. Figueroa Lugo murio poco despues del perdon presidencial en su casa de Aguada.
“Nosotros los puertorriqueños estamos comprometidos a honrar y conmemorar a todos los hombres y mujeres que han dado la vida por la libertad de Puerto Rico”, manifestÛ LebrÛn en entrevista telefonica con EL VOCERO. Menciono que ambos estan en el cielo, donde junto a Albizu Campos, Blanca Canales y otros heroes esperan la redenciÛn de la nacion puertorriqueña.
Recordo que la gesta y los sacrificios de sus compañeros fenecidos son un hito de la historia de Puerto Rico y que deben recibir el debido reconocimiento del pueblo.
Lebron menciono que en los proximos tres años cuando se cumpla el cincuentenario del ataque al Congreso se debe realizar una gran acto en honor a los dos lideres nacionalistas. DestacÛ tambien a los independentistas que participaron en el fallido atentado contra el presidente Harry S. Truman y la Revuelta Nacionalista de Jayuya. “Yo sin embargo, espero que podamos liberarnos por medios pacificos sin tener que volver a utilizar las armas. Espero que podamos adelantar la causa libertaria por medios pacÌficos como se hizo en los actos de desobediencia civil en Vieques”, señalo Lebron al reflexionar sobre su posicion, 47 años despues del ataque. No obstante, sostuvo que aun Puerto Rico es un pueblo colonizado donde impera el poder del Congreso norteamericano.
Esta informacion es cortesia de:
Comite de Nueva York Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño
(212) 330-8258
March 1 and the attack on Congress
For me, the photo of Lolita Lebron and two of the other three Nationalists which was in the front page of the New York Times is still an overwhelmingly powerful image. It must be one of the all time lasting images of the 20th Century–wherever you are from. Consider what the U.S. is and what fortitude and conviction it took for this woman and three men to go into Congress and fire their statement and guns at the leadership of the leading imperial nation of the world–¡Que Viva Puerto Rico Libre! Pure inspiration and greatness of spirit.
Our Valiant Nationalist Patriots
Compatriotas:
The fact that the members of the Nationalist Party were criminalized by the U.S. colonial government does not mean that they were not brave heroes. Our Nationalist patriots were brave men and women of great honor who sacrificed property, liberty and life to defend our nation from those who intended to consolidate the colonial goverment in Puerto Rico. I deeply admire their valiant actions.
Regards,
Hans Perl-Matanzo
Co-Administrator
http://www.independencia.net
OUTLAWS
I think it is crazy to call these people “Heros” they represent such a small majority. But if most of PR wanted independence and freedom from the “colonial” power, then just put your people into the proper elected positions
HEROES
Because they took a stand to defend our people as a distinct and separate entity–that is, no other countries colony or possession–they must by all historical and international standards be considered heroes. They would only be seen as outlaws by the colonial power that controls Puerto Rico and which they dared challenge morally and politically. And they continue to do so to this day. They are indisputably heroes. Because of Puerto Rico’s situation, Puerto Ricans do not ever use the word traitor or treason against the state of Puerto Rico. But the reality is that those who would give up Puerto Rico to any colonial power, serving the interests of the colonial power and not of Puerto Rico, should be considered traitors. If the Nationalists are heroes, you see, then who or what is the PNP and the PPD. It calls all of this into question.
RE: HEROES
Then put your people, your “HEROES”, into office and gain your independence, But as far as I can see it, and over 90 percent of PR (PNP and PPD voters) they are outlaws, because they are fighting against the very thing the rest of PR wants, an association or the extrem, statehood.
RE: RE: HEROES
Actually, you are mistaken, there are streets in Puerto Rico named after Albizu Campos. Also, they are recognized in Puerto Rico generally as men and women to be venerated for willing to lay down their lives for the Puerto Rican nation, however much their politics may be distorted or misrepresented. In addition, one has only to reflect as far back as the hearings this past summer when Lolita Lebron testified–and as we say in New York–“was representing.” Those who saw her testimony–whatever their political leanings–had to respect and admire how she held forth before Congressmen who wanted to basically give her and the Puerto Rican people short shrift.
These men and women, the Nationalists, represent the best of the Puerto Rican people. They are courageous men and women of conviction. Not political careerist, not looking for the expedient, and only seeing the practical in terms of feeding the spirit.
If you look back at an earlier discussion here which was quite fascinating. There was a discussion of the two-party system as a form of political stastis. It is a structure that can at once provide stability and at another stagnation. It is a system that effectively neutralizes and marginalizes innovation and resolution in the service of the status quo and incumbent interests. So your naive albeit lay observation about the electorate really doesn’t substantiate very much since the PNP can not garner more than 40 – 50% of the electorate and actually has been losing ground–as in this last election. Hey take a peak at the new section called AQUI Y ALLA. YOU GUYS AT PRDREAM ARE DOING A GOOD JOB OF INFORMING US!
RE: RE: RE: HEROES (Viva PR LIBRE!)
Vaya! Los nacionalístas son héroes!! No hay duda en eso.
The nationalists are heroes no doubt! They fought for a cause, they fought for their people, they fought for their nation. If you call them outlaws, you might as well call G. Washington an outlaw. He fought and killed for a cause. We, the Puerto Ricans, are fighting for the same thing he did. It just amazes me how these damn Americans forget their history and are such hipocrits. They fought for independence, yet when we try to do it, we are classified as outlaws. The only difference between Washington and Albizu Campos is that Washington used guns and bombs, Albizu Campos mainly used his mouth and mind. So, who was the real criminal!?
Anyways, I think nacionalístas and independentistas are heroes all the way. The real, true boricuas are independentistas by heart. Think about it, some of the best Boricua poets were independentistas. Lola, Jose de Diego, Rafael Hernandez, and many more. Those who wrote about the patria were truelly independentistas, some probably never stated it, but there is no doubt in my mind that they were.
We may not have much power in politics, but in culture and history, we, the independentistas stand out as un verdadero Boricua de corazon!
RE: RE: RE: RE: HEROES (Viva PR LIBRE!)
I know my history, I am tired of PR always complaining about the colonial power, and how much Uncle Sam takes advantage of the poor underclass second rate citizens of PR. What I don’t see is PR government taking steps to reduce it’s dependence on the U.S. I do see billions of assistance comming into PR and what I see is sub-standard roads, inadequate water, electricity infrastructure, substandard housing for the poor. If your nationalist are so important why not have a library named after them,,oh wait, does PR have any Public Libraries? besides the ones at the schools? I was born in a isolated farming town in the midwest, it has a poulation of 65,000 they have three public libraries and one that is on wheels(for elderly) yet in PR I ask where is the library, and no one can tell me.
who are you asking?
sorry that you’re tired. what is your point that P.R. is indebted to the u.s. so we should let them take our women and our balls because they created an infrastructure that would serve the dual purpose of providing for a welfare state for their businesses and a quick trajectory for their military that we could also benefit from as an exclusive market for american products, military training and drug testing.
so all workers should never strike and never try to advance their cause because of the paved roads, highways, public transportation and public schools set up to train us to be better workers and consumers. this is your enlightened reasoning broadly applied to even americans. you’re right to be tired.
RECANT
Sorry, I would like to recant the statement about the library, there are many Public libraries
RE: RECANT
you obviously are having a dialogue with yourself. check out the timeline in LA PATRIA section of this website. a little new history can’t hurt.
Masacre de Ponce
The Masacre de Ponce occurred March 21, 1937. It was Palm Sunday. The Nationalists had planned a peaceful demonstration and commemoration of the Abolition of Slavery in Puerto Rico. Winship overturned the mayor of Ponce Jose Tormos Diego’s decision that gave the Nationalists permission and attacked them when they insisted on having the event. Who truly are the outlaws here. And whose law are we expected to follow? The laws of our land or the laws of the colonizer?
RE: RE: HEROES
Then Washington, Jefferson and the rest of “your” people are also outlaws by your own definition. After all, they fought against a continued association against England. One country’s hero is another’s traitor.
The only difference here is – “your” people won their independence. How odd that the US does not follow it’s own precepts concerning the right to self-determination concerning other countries.
To advocate that we simply put “our” people in power denies the reality of the industrial-political system’s structure in the US and its interactions with other countries. It also dismisses the views of other’s as not worthy of note or respect. It is exactly this type of ignorance which continues the debacle and the slaughter on the island of Vieques. Denial of the use of native land by the indigenous people is the first test of colonialistic behavior as defined under the UN Charter and Declaration of Human Rights. You simply cannot analyze a situation without understanding the basics of the dynamics which are involved.
Furthermore, the referral of your “knowing” what the majority of the people on the island of Puerto Rico wants and how you think they view the actions of others smacks of Big Brother mentality knowing what’s good for everyone else(overt racism judging by your postings?). Such arrogance is exactly what forms the foundation of resentment, opposition and, ultimately, rebellion. Manifest Destiny has been proven to be a failed doctrine based on economic greed and brutality. Ask any Native American forced to live in sub-standard conditions by your people. Speak for yourself only, do not presume to be the voice of an entire people unless, of course, “my” people put you in charge. God forbid…
By the way, I’m a former USAF Colonel so don’t try throwing mere words at people with different opinions (I’ll guess you’ll think I’m also a “traitor” right?) .
Rather, instead go through the trouble of learning the history of BOTH sides before you make an intelligent, credible and defendable determination. There is a great deal of history most people ignore and most certainly do NOT teach in the American school system. History is written by the victors.
You may be surprised by what you find.
I know I was.
who are our heroes today?
i want to know who our heroes are today?
heroes, obviamente. One that dares ask such a question is only giving proof of his or her ignorance. People who are tortured, encarcerated, killed or whose family’s are persecuted only stand out as heroes, that’s why they are venerated as such.